21st April news update
from Weston Central Ward Councillors Mike Bell, Robert Payne and Caroline Reynolds
Hello everyone - welcome to issue 87 of our regular local email newsletter
This time we have updates on Birnbeck Pier, work to improve the Playhouse and opportunities to have your say or get involved with local issues.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch any time if we can help with any local issue or answer a question.
Best wishes
Mike Bell, Robert Payne and Caroline Reynolds
Your Liberal Democrat councillors for Weston-super-Mare Central Ward
Birnbeck planning phase one moves ahead
A planning application has been submitted outlining the first phase of work on the Birnbeck Pier project, which is focussed on the landside buildings and stabilisation work.
Subject to planning permission, work is proposed to start later this year on the landside buildings so that they could reopen to the public in 2025. It would also enable subsequent phases of the project to take place, including restoring the pier itself and re-establishing the RNLI’s lifeboat station on Birnbeck Island.
The work is being led by North Somerset Council – who under slightly strange planning laws, have to go through due process to decide whether to give permission (or not) to itself.
Permission is being sought by Haverstock, the council’s appointed architects, with plans that include:
restoring Pier Master’s Cottage and reinstating the bell tower, extending the building to the north to create space for a café intended to open to the public all year round,
creating other visitor facilities, including toilets,
essential repairs to weatherproof the other landside buildings known as Pier View, the old shell shop, and the South Toll House,
stabilising buildings on the island including The Pavillion, 1888 Boathouse and the Clocktower, and
providing essential services and infrastructure to the whole site – the landside buildings, the island and the pier itself – including work underground on water and sewage pumps, and installation of a new fit-for-purpose electricity substation.
This element of restoration and renovation work is being funded from an allocation of £4.47m from the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund.
The whole project – to restore Birnbeck Pier and Island – has been made possible thanks to funding from the RNLI, UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, National Heritage Memorial Fund, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.
To find out more about the Birnbeck Pier project, visit the information hub next to the pier or the council’s website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/birnbeckpierproject
North Somerset Live Q&A
Leading councillors from North Somerset Council (including Mike) will be running a North Somerset Live event from 6pm on Thursday 25 April.
The event will be streamed live to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and X. You can join live and comment with your questions, or watch the recording back later once the livestream has finished. To join just jump on any of these North Somerset Council channels on the night.
Police and Crime Commissioner election
This May we only have one local election in North Somerset - for a new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). Our view is that this is a position which should not exist as the police shouldn’t be politicised, but it is important to vote as whoever is elected will have a significant say on policing here in Weston as elsewhere in the Avon & Somerset Police area.
There is no doubt that crime and anti-social behaviour is a key concern, particularly in and around Weston town centre, and it is felt that it is not being effectively tackled. We need more action and resources targeted here than we have had under the existing Conservative PCC, who told us that he thinks Weston takes up too much of the force's resources. So we are supporting Benet Allen, the Liberal Democrat candidate, for a better and fairer approach to policing.
The Lib Dem plan for a fair deal on crime and policing includes:
Restore proper community policing, where officers are visible, trusted and focused on preventing and solving crimes – especially rape and other violent crime. Work with the police to identify tasks that use a disproportionate amount of their time and help boost efficiency.
Create a statutory guarantee that all burglaries will be attended by the police and properly investigated.
Establish a national Online Crime Agency to combat online crime, allowing frontline police officers to focus on local crime instead.
Replace Police and Crime Commissioners with Police Boards made up of community representatives, and invest the savings in frontline policing.
Draw up a national recruitment, training and retention strategy to tackle detective shortages.
Enforce youth diversion programmes as a statutory duty nationwide, offering pre-charge alternatives for young people up to age 25. Youth diversion addresses low-level crime without going through the formal justice system, improving outcomes for young people and reducing the strain on police resources.
Town Council Annual Town Meeting
Weston-super-Mare Town Council is hosting their “Annual Town Meeting” on 29th April 2024 at the Blakehay Theatre. Doors open at 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start.
What's on the Agenda?
Your Voice Matters: Share your bright ideas, burning questions, and Weston wishes.
Meet & Greet: Rub shoulders with Weston Town Council's officers and town councillors who are all ears when it comes to your thoughts.
A Dash of Laughter: Our chair for the evening, the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, who teams up with comedian, Becky Walsh, to guide us through a lineup of local speakers sharing their stories and victories.
Mingle Time: Enjoy light nibbles and refreshing drinks in the Blakehay Theatres Bar from 6.00pm
Could you volunteer at the SEEMonster Garden?
Would you like to get involved in establishing a new volunteer group at SEEMonster Garden on the Beach Lawns? The group will meet monthly, starting on Wednesday 8 May from 1pm to 3pm. More details in the image below.
Looking after our beach
Mike recently joined Environment Agency officers Joe and Jeremy in a walkover along Weston beach.
They carry out weekly walks to monitor surface water outfalls, look for sewage related debris and any evidence of issues that need action. This is part of North Somerset Council’s work with the Environment Agency and other partners to protect the beach and try to improve bathing water quality.
There are no easy solutions or quick fixes but it was reassuring to know we have these expert eyes and ears on patrol. During their walks they test any water flowing onto the beach, highlight issues and suspect contaminants and work with businesses, landowners and the sewage company to resolve.
New Playhouse lift
Work is underway on a new disabled access lift at the Playhouse Theatre in Weston-super-Mare. We’re really pleased we’ve been able to make this happen after long-term problems with the previous setup.
This provides an enhanced, fit-for purpose, larger capacity lift which will resolve previous access issues in the building. This is a long-term solution that will ensure all guests and carers who require a lift can enjoy performances at the theatre.
Construction works will see the left-hand side of the stairwell temporarily closed off so that a purpose-built platform lift can be installed. When completed, the lift will provide increased capacity for wheelchair users and a carer if required.
Construction works are expected to take a number of weeks. This is due to complexity of the building. During the period of installation there will be more limited access for some users.
The Playhouse Theatre has been working to ensure anyone making a booking is aware of the reduced accessibility during the works, however if you feel this may impact a booking already made, please contact the Box Office.
Get in touch
Contact Councillor Mike Bell on 07881 320 279 or email mike.bell@n-somerset.gov.uk or follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Mike serves on North Somerset Council and Weston Town Council.
Contact Councillor Robert Payne on 07904 026 096 or email robert.payne@n-somerset.gov.uk or follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Robert serves on North Somerset Council and Weston Town Council.
Contact Councillor Caroline Reynolds by emailing caroline.reynolds@wsm-tc.gov.uk. Caroline serves on Weston Town Council.