27th November news update
from Weston Central Ward Councillors Mike Bell, Robert Payne and Caroline Reynolds
Hello everyone - welcome to issue 81 of our regular local email newsletter.
In the coming weeks we’ve hopefully all got something to look forward to it as the festive season gets into full swing. This edition includes information about the Christmas lights switch-on, a festive market and more opportunities to get involved int he work of the council.
As always, if there are any issues we can help with, please get in touch.
Best wishes
Mike Bell, Robert Payne and Caroline Reynolds
Your Liberal Democrat councillors for Weston-super-Mare Central Ward
Christmas lights switch on
The Lipinski Band will provide the musical entertainment at the Sovereign, in Weston-super-Mare, when its own Christmas tree lights are switched on, from 5pm on Thursday 30 November. There will also be an Amazing Elf Workshop and Santa’s Grotto, and the shops will stay open until 8pm.
Weston-super-Mare’s official lights switch-on will be an all-day affair on Saturday 2 December. During the day, pick up local food and drink from the eat:Festival, taking place from 10am in the Italian Gardens and Winter Gardens. Free parking is available in the Sovereign from 3pm. The switch-on will be held from 4.30pm on the stage by the Christmas tree at the Italian Gardens (or under the canopy of the Sovereign if it’s raining). Entertainment from the performers of the Blakehay Theatre panto, Weston Brass and choir groups.
Winter health drop-in
A Winter Health drop-in is taking place at the Sovereign on Thursday 30 November, 10am to 2pm, at We Are Super. Check it out for lots of advice on how to improve your health and wellbeing as we progress through the season.
Former MP Brian Cotter passes away
We are sad to report that Lord Cotter of Congresbury died peacefully earlier this month surrounded by his wife and children. Brian spent eight years in the House of Commons representing Weston-super-Mare and then 17 in the House of Lords on the Liberal Democrat benches.
He was a good, kind man who was dedicated to public service. He had been a campaigner, councillor, MP and Peer and supported numerous good causes, local charities and groups over many decades.
Action on antisocial behaviour
Over the past few weeks, there has been a significant rise in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and criminality involving children and young people in Weston-super-Mare town centre.
Teams from across the council, including the safer communities team and children’s services – including social care and the youth offending service – continue to work closely with the police and other partners to ensure the safety of all concerned.
Avon and Somerset Police have made several arrests, including a child as young as 12 years of age. This has been possible as a result of investigations and proactive patrols, supported by footage from our close circuit television (CCTV) network.
We’re working closely with North Somerset Neighbourhood Policing to issue fixed penalty notices to those aged under 18 who are in breach of our Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs).
PSPOs cover a range of behaviour, including the use of alcohol in public places and acting in an anti-social or disorderly manner that causes, or is likely to cause, nuisance, harassment, alarm, or distress to any other person.
When a PSPO is breached by a child or young person under the age of 18, this may be dealt with by the issue of £75 fixed penalty notice in appropriate circumstances or community-based reparation or restorative justice. This could include the young person who caused harm apologising, removing graffiti or taking part in mediation.
Any fixed penalty notice would be served on a young person through their parent or carer. If a fixed penalty notice is not paid within 14 days, this can lead to prosecution which brings a maximum fine of £1,000 plus costs. Any money generated through fixed penalty notices must be reinvested into enforcement of ASB.
Issuing fixed penalty notices is designed to act as a deterrent and encourage parents and carers to speak with their children around the ongoing issues within Weston town centre. PSPOs are just one of many different tools available to deal with ASB.
The end of potholes? Not likely!
The government has trumpeted an £8 billion boost to funding for road maintenance, including a claim that it will be the end of potholes. But what does it really mean for North Somerset? Not a lot!
The new funding is spread over 10 years and divided up amongst hundreds of local councils. So for North Somerset Council, it means that we’ll get £632,000 extra this year and every year for 10 years for road maintenance. Sounds great doesn’t it?
But North Somerset Council has an estimated backlog of £58 million to get the highway network up to a good standard. The new funding is absolutely welcome, but according to the government’s own figures it will only fund resurfacing of less than half a mile of road. North Somerset has got 697 miles of road!
And of course, it’s worth remembering that prior to this announcement, the government had frozen funding for road maintenance, leading to a real terms cut of 20% over three years,
So if the Prime Minister was being honest, he wouldn’t be saying this is the end of potholes, but saying this is the “best we can do because we just haven’t prioritised fair highway funding for local councils”.
Bus Users Forum this Tuesday
North Somerset Council is inviting North Somerset residents, community groups and businesses to attend a Bus User Forum on Tuesday 5 December taking place at the Town Hall Council Chamber in Weston-super-Mare.
The Bus User Forum will give everyone the opportunity to share their experiences of bus travel in the area and influence future bus service improvement plans. You can join either session as they will both be the same format.
Date: Tuesday 5 December
Session 1: 15:30 – 17:30
Session 2: 18:00 – 20:00
Location: Town Hall Council Chamber, Walliscote Grove Road, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1UJ
Have your say on council priorities
Earlier in the autumn we spoke to local people about the over-arching strategic plan and budget which will drive our council priorities over the next four years.
Hundreds of people and local groups got involved in this extensive period of engagement, at in-person events and online. Survey results have been collated and all responses and feedback have been used to inform the development of the draft corporate plan and budget.
A second round of formal consultation on the draft plan and budget is now launching so there’s another chance to have your say if you haven’t already.
This will include face-to-face sessions which anyone can attend, an online survey, and meetings with representative community organisations.
Face-to-face sessions are also taking place throughout North Somerset.
There’s no need to book, just turn up:
Monday 27 November - 6.30-7.30pm, Hangstones Pavilion, Yatton
Friday 1 December - 6.30-7.30pm, Tithe Barn, Nailsea
Monday 4 December - 6.30-7.30pm, Castlewood, Clevedon
Wednesday 6 December - 6.30-7.30pm, Town Hall, Weston-super-Mare
Wednesday 13 December - : 6.30-7.30pm, Folk Hall, Portishead.
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.