bishopstonvoice
November, 2017
33
n NEWS In Redland this month... Air quality update MANY local people have taken an interest in recent Bishopston Society events focussed on air quality, in spring and this autumn. We've been delighted to take part in these in various capacities. Somewhat frustratingly, the council's plans to continue with a feasibility study into what measures will bring our air quality up to legal standards have been thwarted by a government direction issued in late summer. Fortunately for us, the lawyers Client Earth, spotted that we had used cost as a criterion in selecting options, which was not allowable. Officers are now negotiating with government what costs they mean (social, local health?) and also clarifying other matters, such as the area of Bristol which doesn't meet legal standards. Government's assessment is rather different to the council's! Do look out for ways to get involved in the local air quality debate and consider how you can help prevent
pollution as Gloucester Road and the main routes in the city are corridors that affect local health. Residents parking With a somewhat heavy heart we have to report that there is still no clear procedure by which new Residents Parking Schemes can be initiated. We know that not everyone is a fan, but there are increasing numbers of residents from various parts of our ward contacting us asking for a scheme to be installed in their street. We are pressing for clarification, but until we are know what process the Highways department is adopting, we are somewhat hamstrung. Do keep in touch with any comments or opinions on the matter. Food waste DId you know that the most significant recyclable item in people's black bins is food waste? There's still far too much of the stuff going into the fortnightly residual waste bins, causing nasty whiffs and costing the council precious money to dispose of. Fi had the absolute
pleasure of visiting Geneco in Avonmouth recently, where along with the waste of 1 million people’s toilets, all our food waste is processed into valuable bio methane, farming compost and electricity generation. Nothing is wasted! Bristol Waste will be launching a campaign soon to encourage residents to keep their food waste out of their black bins. Other initiatives are also in the pipeline to help people reduce the amount of food waste created in the first place. Meanwhile Martin has a petition live on the council website collecting signatures calling for the council tackle single use disposable plastics. Look for the petitions page http://epetitions.bristol. gov.uk/epetition_core/view/ plasticsban and sign it if you'd like to see more done to get rid of plastic waste. Changes to Neighbourhood arrangements and funding We've reported before how the demise of Neighbourhood Partnerships means we're supporting community efforts to
keep local initiatives running in our area, like tackling flytipping, graffiti, and supporting local projects. Do get in touch with the steering group at info@bcrnp.org. uk to help if you can. But local projects need funding too. Up to now each NP area (usually three wards, like Bishopston, Cotham and Redland) has been allowed to keep 15% of the compulsory funds from developers in the area called Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The other 85% is kept by the Mayor for projects like the Arena. Now there's a proposal to increase the size of the areas allocated the 15%. This may become a six ward area stretching as far as Brentry and Southmead which could affect how the funds get used to deal with impacts from the developments. Martin Fodor cllrmartin.fodor@bristol.gov.uk 07884736101 Fi Hance cllr.fi.hance@bristol.gov.uk 0117 3534720
at our lovely houses in Redland and Henleaze
ABF Adcontact Half Page 180x120 1 22/02/2017 11:09 To21435 advertise, Emma onAW.indd 0117 9082121 or 07715 770448 or email emma@bishopstonvoice.co.uk. Got news? Email: news@bishopstonvoice.co.uk