Bath Echo - Issue 049 - 11/04/2023

New dressing-up experience launches in Bath - P2

Cost to store Fashion Museum collection revealed

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and North East Somerset Council is spending £150,000 a year to store Bath’s iconic Fashion Museum collection in a glove factory in Wiltshire. The cost of storing the collection was revealed after a freedom of information request submitted by Emilio Pimentel-Reid, a

Conservative candidate in the upcoming local elections who is standing in Bath’s Lansdown ward with his husband.

Mr Pimentel-Reid said: “In hearing the council’s plans to spend £34m of our money on the fashion museum, I feel anyone sensible should be asking questions because it’s our money and it’s a lot of money.”

After the National Trust took back the museum’s old home in Bath’s

With prices from £150,

Assembly Rooms last year, the council plans to turn the Old Post Office on New Bond Street into a new museum and work with Bath Spa University to set up a collection archive at Locksbrook. But the plans were set back when the council’s bid for £20m from the Levelling Up Fund failed. It is set to be years before the new facilities are ready.

Mr Pimentel-Reid said: “The collection is sofa surfing at the

moment. It doesn’t have a new home.”

He added: “This was an asset that presumably at some point was making some money — and now its costing money.” The internationally important collection is currently being stored in the headquarters of luxury glove makers Dents in Warminster, at a cost of £150,000 a year.

This is a combined cost of ...

Continued on page 2

In

Top Stories P2-5

Pictures from the Past P6

What's On P9

Wardrobe experience opens at No.1 Royal Crescent

A NEW Georgian wardrobe dressing-up experience, known as “Georgrobe”, has been opened at No.1 Royal Crescent in Bath.

document their experience on Instagram and TikTok.

“It is great to see the gallery being used to explore an innovative experience like this and we hope to bring new audiences into the museum so it is particularly special to be able to offer free entry to the space.”

Health P11

Education P12

Community P10 Business P14

Politics P15

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The experience features a bespoke floor-to-ceiling mural, a cabinet display of satirical prints about the fashions of the period and racks of historic costumes, wigs and hats for adults and children to dress up in.

The Georgrobe is included with museum entry, or free to nonmuseum visitors with a voluntary donation for those who feel able to make one.

The experience, which is sponsored by Bath letting agent HomeLets, provides an opportunity for people to fulfil their Bridgerton dreams by dressing up in Regency-style costumes and accessories.

Visitors can pose against a newly-created bespoke pop-art style mural of the city of Bath, designed by local artists Jason Dorley-Brown and Emma Taylor at Jet Pictures, and printed and installed by Minuteman Bath, to create the perfect reel or TikTok.

The quirky, colourful and detailed mural incorporates some of Bath’s most iconic spots and characters including the Herschels stargazing on one of the roofs, Jane Austen and Ralph Allen in a hot air balloon, the

Royal Crescent, the Cross Bath and Beckford’s Tower.

Even Alfie the cat, one of Bath’s most photographed feline residents, made the final cut, appearing in the design peering out of one of the windows of No.1 Royal Crescent.

The wall mural presents a unique vision of Bath in a stylistic blend of “old and new” that reflects the architectural development of the city itself over time, celebrating the city in all its permutations and appealing to both long-time residents of Bath and new visitors

to the city.

Claire Dixon, Director of Museums for Bath Preservation Trust said: “Experiential leisure is a huge ongoing trend in our sector, and our new Georgrobe at No.1 Royal Crescent taps into this, giving visitors the chance to physically engage with the fashions and architecture of historic Bath, whilst also shining a spotlight on local artists and businesses.

“The mural provides the perfect backdrop for people to have their photo taken against so they can

Mary Stringer, Marketing and Communications Manager for Bath Preservation Trust, added: “Bath is stunning from every angle, but we’ve never seen it like this before! The mural is a perfect blend of reality and fantasy, and the more one looks at it the more one discovers – even the Crescent’s resident cat has made it into the design!

“And who wouldn’t want to see Jane Austen and Ralph Allen in a hot air balloon? I am most grateful to our sponsor HomeLets for making the Georgrobe possible, and to Jason and Emma for creating such a special and timeless visual celebration of our beautiful city.”

Emma Taylor of Jet Pictures said: “As local artists and residents of Bath, Emma, Jason and I are incredibly proud to have been asked to create this bespoke mural.

“It has been such a pleasure working with No.1 Royal Crescent and the sponsor of this creation HomeLets.”

Storing museum's collection costing £150k/year

Continued from page 1 ... £135,000 a year in rent and £15,000 a year on management costs such as pest control.

Mr Pimentel-Reid’s freedom of information request also revealed that only £600,000 had been secured for the museum so far, and that the agreement with Bath Spa University was being worked on but that the university had not made any commitment to invest yet.

He said: “If you have £600,000 for a project that will cost £34m, there is no project yet.”

He wants the council to find temporary spaces in Bath to put on displays while the city is waiting for the Old Post Office to be redeveloped.

The council candidate also believes that the governance of the museum should be reformed with a board of trustees connected to the fashion industry, a patrons group who regularly donate, and an advisory board.

He said: “We need to have partnerships with credible fashion businesses for this museum to actually make sense.”

He said: “I believe that residents, the staff, and the collection itself are being let down by this Liberal Democrat administration.”

He added that the council’s ambition for Bath to become Europe’s new fashion capital was “ludicrous.”

Mr Pimentel-Reid said: “Let’s be realistic, so it could be that the museum would be a leading British centre for costume research.”

But he added: “It’s not going to be Paris or Milan.”

But council leader Kevin Guy defended the spending and the council’s approach to the fashion museum.

He said: “The Bath Fashion Museum collection is irreplaceable and is made up of over 100,000 artefacts, ranging from gloves from the time of Shakespeare to pieces by today’s leading designers.

“Given the size of the collection and the fragility of many of the items, it’s essential that the temporary storage is conservation grade and has high levels of security. I don’t think any sensible person would want to skimp on these standards or put the collection at risk.

“We are very pleased to have secured space at a facility which meets these high-spec standards and provides working space for the curatorial team.

“For the long-term, we are partnering with Bath Spa University to create a collection archive in Locksbrook, which will provide safe storage for those items not on display and will be accessible to the public.

“We have also secured a new home for the fashion museum at The Old Post Office in the city centre. This will be a fabulous asset for our city and will enable a wider range of people to access and engage with the collection in a more modern, prominent, and flexible location.

“In the meantime, pieces from

the collection will continue to be loaned to museums around the world, as has been the case for many years. In addition, we have given the go ahead for temporary uses of the Old Post Office block, which will raise revenue and offer activation opportunities for local organisations.

“The council has received grant funding to develop the full vision, business case and funding strategy for the museum over the coming financial year.

“And we have an experienced and visionary team in heritage services who will draw on their solid track record of raising capital funding and delivering major capital projects. The team will launch an independent fashion museum charity later this year.”

Mr Guy added: “When the fashion museum reopens in the Old Post Office, it will be more accessible, engage with a wider range of people, and tell a greater range of stories than ever before.

“There will be economic and societal benefits for the wider community as well as a keystone to help transform the Milsom Quarter area of Bath.

“We are the custodians of a world-class collection, so I make no apologies for being ambitious for the new fashion museum and indeed ambitious for Bath’s place on the world stage.”

Mr Pimentel-Reid said: “At the end of the day, all I want is a good fashion museum that we can all enjoy and isn’t stuck in a factory in Warminster.”

Some of the costumes | Photo © Bath Preservation Trust / Future Proof Creative

The vast collection is now in storage | Photo © B&NES Council

54-year-old man convicted for sexual offences against a child

A 54-YEAR-OLD man from Bath has been found guilty of committing sexual offences against a child following a trial at Exeter Crown Court.

Timothy Schofield, the brother of television presenter Phillip Schofield, was convicted of 11 offences.

Schofield is a member of civilian police staff based at Avon and Somerset Police’s Headquarters in Portishead.

He was suspended from duty in December 2021 while the criminal proceedings progressed. Now he has been convicted, a misconduct hearing will be held. Police were first informed of the offences through a third party on 3rd December 2021.

An investigation was launched and the defendant was arrested on the same day. Within 48 hours of the allegations being reported, he was charged with criminal offences to appear in court.

Schofield denied the charges against him, including three counts of causing a child to watch sexual activity, three of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, three of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, and two of sexual activity with a child.

Senior Investigating Officer Det Insp Keith Smith said: “This defendant has exploited and abused the victim by carrying out a sickening series of offences over a significant period of time.

“The impact on the victim has been immense and they’ve shown incredible bravery in disclosing the crimes committed against them, and by supporting the subsequent police investigation throughout.

“We hope this outcome will

provide some comfort and enable them to recover from the abuse they’ve had inflicted on them.

“Although the defendant does not work in a public-facing role, and the offences are not linked to his employment, we know the fact he works for the police will be a matter of public concern.

“Until these criminal allegations were reported in December 2021, there were no previous allegations or complaints made to the police against this defendant.

“Once reported, officers carried out a thorough investigation, building a file of evidence and speaking to a number of witnesses, resulting in the defendant being charged and subsequently convicted of serious offences.

“Misconduct proceedings can now recommence at pace, and the defendant is due to be sentenced on May 19 at Bristol Crown Court. While the majority of police officers, staff and volunteers dedicate themselves to public service and keeping our communities safe, we know

RUH worker nominated for prestigious award

A MEMBER of staff at the RUH who set up a bra fitting service for breast cancer patients following surgery has been nominated for a prestigious national award.

Karen Read, who joined the Royal United Hospital in 2020, is a finalist in the Clinical Support Worker of the Year Award category at the Our Health Heroes Awards, delivered by Skills for Health.

amongst survivors by focusing on topics not routinely covered by clinicians, such as diet, exercise and psychological wellbeing.

the public’s trust and confidence in policing nationally has been damaged by recent incidents.

“To repair the damage these incidents have undoubtedly caused, we must continue to take decisive action and be clear what standards we expect from our people.

“Where these standards are not met, we will take robust action to ensure those who let us all down cannot remain in policing.”

In a statement, Phillip Schofield said: “My overwhelming concern is and has always been for the wellbeing of the victim and his family.

“I hope that their privacy will now be respected.

“If any crime had ever been confessed to me by my brother, I would have acted immediately to protect the victim and their family.

“These are despicable crimes, and I welcome the guilty verdicts. As far as I am concerned, I no longer have a brother.”

Sentencing has been scheduled for Friday 19th May.

In addition to helping patients who have had a mastectomy or have breast asymmetry get fitted for bras, Karen established a dedicated prosthesis fitting service and has also trained in nipple and areolar tattooing for patients who have had reconstructive surgery.

Karen’s work is ‘invaluable’ for breast cancer patients says Kate Hope, Breast Clinical Nurse Specialist at Bath RUH NHS Foundation Trust.

Kate said: “[These services] are a huge part of being able to face the world having had breast surgery.”

“It makes an enormous positive difference psychologically to how patients perceive their body image.”

As well as helping patients to combat negative body image and boost their self-esteem, Karen runs a monthly support group for patients diagnosed with or being treated for breast cancer.

Quarterly health and wellbeing seminars, fully organised by Karen, offer women further opportunity to get together and participate in discussions about their recovery from breast cancer and inspire a positive outlook

Karen’s experience working as a Health Care Assistant in Breast Care before joining RUH enabled the Our Health Heroes Awards finalist to ‘hit the ground running’ say colleagues, bringing a wealth of experience in dressings, wound care, drains and post operative care, as well as providing clear and helpful advice to assist breast cancer patients to negotiate their treatment journey.

Kate added: “Karen greets each working day with enthusiasm for her role and demonstrates great resilience during these challenging times for the NHS. “She does it all with a great sense of humour and care for the people around her, and is a real pleasure to work with.

“She goes above and beyond in her role for so many patients and colleagues and we would like her to be acknowledged as the wonderful nurse and person that she is.”

“How does she find time to do all this as well as her day-to-day clinic work you ask? We don’t know either!”

You can show your support for Karen by casting your vote at: https://www.skillsforhealth.org. uk/awards/vote

The Skills for Health Our Health Heroes is sponsored by Unison, Health Education England, NHS Employers and more, and the winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in London on 7th June.

Council to sell offices despite turning away potential tenants

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

BATH and North East Somerset Council is to sell off a “lossmaking” office block, after not letting anyone move in for five years.

The Wansdyke Business Centre in Midsomer Norton was opened in 2004 to make up for a shortage of office space for small businesses. The council-owned building was operated by Business West until the council took over the direct running of it in 2018.

Midsomer Norton North councillor Shaun Hughes, who is one of only two tenants still based in the 19-office facility, slammed the council’s management of the office as “disastrous.”

He said: “Since then there have been no new tenants permitted to move into the building, no marketing of the available offices, no response to potential tenant requests, […], and no attempt to find a provider to continue the

serviced office space — including myself.”

He attended the meeting as the ward councillor and a resident of the building, and not as a voting councillor.

Councillor Colin Blackburn, who called-in the decision to be scrutinised before a council panel, said: “This has been a five year plan to sell off the family silver.”

Council cabinet members Mark Roper and Richard Samuel who were behind the decision to sell off the centre were unavailable for the meeting, which had been called at short notice after a quarter of councillors signed a call-in of the decision. They were represented instead by council cabinet member for council house building Tom Davies.

Mr Davies said that the council had been paying at least £25,000 a year to subsidise the business centre. This had begun in order to make up a shortage of office space on the open market, but Mr Davies said that office space

was now available in surrounding towns.

He said: “This centre has always required a subsidy.” But he added: “There is no longer market failure that justifies that public subsidy.”

Quizzed on why new tenants had not been accepted, Mr Davies said: “My understanding is that there was a period where the leases were being regularised so that every tenant would be put on a new lease and during that period new tenants weren’t brought into the building.”

Asked by councillor Lucy Hodge if the period of regularising leases had lasted since 2018, Mr Davies confirmed that it had.

Mr Blackburn agreed the council should not be subsidising the centre but said it should not need it. He said: “Effectively, we have run the centre down to two tenants, we have given no opportunity for new businesses to use this facility, and there’s no real data in front of us to say that these surrounding market towns

really have got the provision that we believe this centre was already providing and providing well.

“There are plenty of centres like this being run by operators who do not expect a subsidy. They will take that building on and they will run it.”

He claimed to have spoken to eight companies that were interested in moving into the centre, but Mr Davies said they had not made enquiries to the council about renting offices in the building.

But after a short period of debate held behind closed doors, something allowed to happen if councillors pass a motion that the public interest would be better served by keeping commercially sensitive information private, the scrutiny panel voted to dismiss the call-in and allow the decision to sell off the business centre to proceed unchallenged. The long leasehold for the building will be returned to the open market for use as office, industrial, or warehouse space.

Timothy Schofield | Photo courtesy of Avon & Somerset Police

The Wansdyke Business Centre | Photo © Google Street View

Bath & North East Somerset Council - Elections

Find out who is standing in your area on Thursday 4th May 2023

Colour Key: Conservative Labour Liberal Democrat Independent

Green

Bathavon North (2 seats)

DREW, Vicky Linda

FIELD, Eleanor

FROUD, Leila

GUY, Kevin Ronald

SANDELL DAVIS, Peter SMITH, Dick VEAL, Martin John WARREN, Elizabeth Sarah

Combe Down (2 seats)

ALSOP, Amy

ANDREWS, David

BATTERSBY, Tom

GOODMAN, Bob

MERRIFIELD, Steve PANKHANIA, Bharat SAINI, Onkar YOUNGMAN, Marie Louise

Lansdown (2 seats)

DRAEGER, Justin

ELLIOTT, Mark William

HODGE, Lucy Jane

MCSTRAVICK, John Stuart

MILNER, Susan Elizabeth PATEMAN, Tom PIMENTEL REID, Emilio WILTSHIRE, Grace

Odd Down (2 seats)

BEADLE, Kathy Anne

BECKER, Jasper

CLARKSON, Michael

FLITTON, Mary Patricia

HEDGES, Steve HIRST, Joel Edwin

MAHER, Ellie VINCENT, Liz

Twerton (2 seats)

Bathavon South (2 seats)

BULL, John Anthony

COGHLAN, Anne DAVIES, Chris GOURLEY, Fiona Grace

All parties, wards and candidates have been listed in alphabetical order

Bathwick (2 seats)

BALL, Tim

HODGSON, Sam

MOORE, Sarah Jane

MORGAN, Paul James

RAFIQ, Qamar SWEENY, Jordan Luke Ray

THORNTON, Luanne WOLF, Jack

Weston (2 seats)

DOBSON, Antony Stuart

GRIXONI, Martin Reynold

MALLOY, Ruth Madeleine

MYERS-MCCRAW, Elaeth

NEVILLE, John PRISTO, Graham Martin

TREBY, Malcolm John WILLIAMS, Julie Ann

HUNT, Peter Gordon MCCABE, Matt MORRIS, Delyth PHILLIPS, Martin

Kingsmead (2 seats)

ANKETELL-JONES, Patrick EGAN, Tamsin KILLPARTRICK, Michael LORD, Jo-Anne

LUCAS, Eric MOULE, William ROPER, Paul TOMLIN, George Oliver

Moorlands

BEADLE, Tim CARR, Ben DAVID, Jess HAYWARD, Roy Andrew

Oldfield Park

BATTEY, Rose BRANSTON, John Philip BUTRUS, Ronaldo Dia

HALSALL, Ian PHIPPS, Anne

Walcot (2 seats)

DOWNEY, Hannah Ruth HENMAN, Oli KADAM, Dhruv Sachin KAY, Stuart Laurence

LEACH, John MULHEARN, Ben TUCKER, Paul Tom TURMEL, Ross

Widcombe & Lyncombe (2 seats)

BARHAM, Lyn BORN, Alison Patricia Sian CHATHLEY, Priya COLLINS, Deborah Joan

COLUMN | Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath

AS we move out of winter and into spring, I am still hearing from many constituents about the financial difficulties they are facing.

The cost of living crisis shows no signs of abating, inflation remains above 10% and energy bills are still high. There is little in the way of support coming from the Government. In fact, they are putting more pressure on already stretched budgets. Rail fares saw their biggest hike in a decade. They rose almost 6%. There is no justification for this, especially whilst train reliability remains

shockingly bad. At the time, I called on the Government to freeze fares but they went ahead with pouring further misery onto rail users.

Bath’s local economy is bucking the trend of the national one, however. Businesses are bouncing back strongly from the intense difficulties of the pandemic but the Conservative Government looks set to jeopardise this recovery. Liberal Democrat analysis reveals that the Chancellor’s budget will put 2,000 businesses at risk of closure in the South West thanks to a cut of

FOSTER, Charlotte MCFARLAND, Louisa RYAN, Christina Joan SHAW, Ruth

85% in energy bill support. Small and medium sized businesses in our Local Authority will each face an average increase of over £3,000 to their energy bills. The Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to extend energy bill support for at least another six months. It is not just financial support that is being cut off. Support for the most desperate people in the world is something that the Government seems adverse to providing. Their immigration bill completely misses the point and acts as a callous blow to refugees

BEES, Lesley Kathleen

COFFEY, Michael

KUMAR, Yukteshwar MAC DONNELL, Mark

MCBRIDE, Kodi Damien RIGBY, Manda SIMON, Toby SNOOK, Katherine

Lambridge (2 seats)

APPLEYARD, Rob

BLACK, Paula Joan

CASEMORE, Steve

FERRIS, David Michael

HEIJLTJES, Saskia SAUNDERS, Alex TOOMBS, Paul Anthony WRIGHT, Joanna

Newbridge (2 seats)

CHAPMAN, Roger David

CUBERLI, Mattia

HOPPE, Kelsey

KELLY, Samantha Jane

O'DOHERTY, Michelle

RICHARDS, Pam SHARAF, Mohamed

WORKMAN, David Miller

Southdown (2 seats)

AVARD, Alex

BLATCHFORD, David

CROSSLEY, Paul Nigel

JACOBS, Lyn

LOVERIDGE, Lisa MUSGRAVE, David William REYNOLDS, Mark Ian ROMERO, Dine

LEWIS, Ashley James WAKENSHAW, Paul

Westmoreland (2 seats)

BATT, Nick

BLACKBURN, Colin David

BOXALL, Stephanie

HALL, Katherine Frances

PATTIE, Andrew Edwin PLAYER, June RAJHANSHA, Sasmita SIMMONS, Rebecca Ruth LEWIS, Cate WHITMORE, Lindsay Sally

You can find more information, including the selection of candidates for the wider North East Somerset area, on our website. You can also read the latest election news & analysis. www.bathecho.co.uk/elections

risking their lives to reach safety. My office has been flooded with messages from constituents rightly out raged by the Home Sec retary’s proposals. If we are serious about stopping human trafficking, our focus must be on providing safe and legal routes to refugees.

I supported my Liberal Democrat colleague, Helen Morgan, in putting forward the Elections (Voter Identification Requirements)

Bill which would roll back the Government’s requirements for

identification to vote at all future elections. We opposed this law in the Commons and Lords and continue to oppose this egregiously undemocratic piece of legislation. Local Authorities have raised concerns about its practicalities, and the public information campaign on the changes by the Government has been a complete shambles.

Thousands of people are now at risk of losing their most fundamental democratic right, the right to vote.

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Pictures from the Past: In the News

The Assembly Rooms

Tea Room, its floors just charred timbers but its walls and columns still defiantly in place.

THERE has been much discussion locally about the Fashion Museum moving into temporary accommodation and why it was moved.

It is clear that many people did not know the Assembly Rooms did not belong to Bath and North East Somerset Council but to the National Trust. Among the loudest complainers were those who understood little about the size of the collection – it is so large only about 10% is ever on view – or about how to conserve delicate antique clothes.

So here is a short history of the Rooms from the start of the 20th century, and the coming of what was then the Costume Museum.

By 1900, the Rooms were in the doldrums. They had been redecorated in 1879 by the Bath architects Wilson and Willcox in a florid, Victorian style. When Mowbray Green photographed them in 1902, he may already have been pondering a restoration. During World War I, aircraft were assembled here. The Rooms later became a cinema. Finally, in 1931, they were acquired by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings and handed to the National Trust, who then leased them to Bath Corporation.

Mowbray Green was appointed director of the restoration, and the rooms reopened in 1938, in all their Georgian splendour. In the ballroom the plaster statues and vases were cleaned and stood in their niches.

Just six years later, the rooms were devastated by German bombing. Thanks to the workmanship of the original builders much of the building was still standing. In Patrick Abercrombie’s Plan for Bath is this photograph of the

After the war, it was suggested by some that the ruins be cleared away and a block of flats built there. Others said Bath needed a suite of rooms for the modern age on another site. However, even the modernist Abercrombie insisted they must be restored. Eventually, the National Trust was granted £300,000 from the War Damage Commission and the rooms were reopened in 1963. By that time, Doris Langley Moore’s costume collection, then housed at Eridge Castle in Kent, was in need of a new home. She was offered space in the Assembly Rooms which became the Museum of Costume.

In this montage of pages from the Akeman Press Archive collection of Bath guidebooks, we can see the cover from 1963, celebrating the reopening of the rooms, and two pages from the 1964 and 1968 editions, showing how the description of the museum grew from a few lines in 1964 to a much fuller description four years later.

In 2007, the name was changed to the Fashion Museum – given Mrs Moore’s insistence that an example of the latest fashion should be added every year, it is surprising it had not been that from the start. But it was beginning to look tired.

The Museum’s nearest equivalent is Le Musée de la Mode in Paris which closed for four years during a major upgrade. Although the present abrupt closure may not have been what B&NES wished for, it may be what was needed for Bath’s Fashion Museum to remain the world’s largest collection, as claimed 60 years ago.

For more archive photos, subscribe to our newsletter at: bathecho.co.uk/subscribe

COLUMN | Mark Shelford, Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner

IHOPE all of you who celebrate Easter had a lovely time with family and friends over the long bank holiday weekend.

I would like to bring to your attention our next Performance and Accountability Board (PAB) on Wednesday 12th April. I will be putting questions to the Chief Constable relating to Avon and Somerset Police’s latest assessment by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

HMICFRS Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy (PEEL) Inspection is the single most important assessment that residents see regarding how their local policing service is performing.

During the meeting, I will scrutinise the Chief Constable's re-

sponse to the results of the latest assessment.

The upcoming PAB will be vital in facilitating transparency and public accountability regarding how Avon and Somerset Police will address the areas for improvement identified in the report.

These meetings can be watched live via Facebook on Wednesday 12th April at 4pm or later, on my website.

Moving on, last week marked the deadline for police services to have recruited all their additional officers as part of Operation Uplift, the promise of 20,000 additional officers nationwide.

I’ve been closely monitoring how Chief Constable Sarah Crew has been delivering on our share of

the additional officers and I’m delighted to say that Avon and Somerset Police has not only met the target but surpassed it.

The original target for recruitment set out by Government for the force was 456 additional officers, but our local policing service has gained a further 99 on top of that figure, meaning there are 555 extra officers in our area.

The total number of police officers now serving Avon and Somerset is 3,390. This is 205 more officers than it had in 2010, which will mean better service and more visible policing for our communities.

One of my main Police and Crime Plan priorities is to ensure the Chief Constable delivers an efficient and effective police service

and focuses resources on crime prevention. These additional officers will go a long way in supporting Avon and Somerset Police to achieve these aims.

Finally, I’m pleased to announce we have just marked the first anniversary of the launch of the Identifying Disproportionality in Avon and Somerset Criminal Justice System (CJS).

The independent report was authored by Desmond Brown, who conducted a two-year deep dive review into the local CJS partner agencies to investigate racial disproportionality.

Lots of work is being done to set up a programme under the Local Criminal Justice Board, a group

of senior leaders from all the partner agencies of which I am chair.

The Chief Constable is leading the Steering Committee to deliver the recommendations in partnership and implement real and lasting change so that communities feel a difference in how they are treated when they encounter the CJS, whether that is as a victim, a witness or a perpetrator.

I will keep you updated on the progress of this important work that aims to build trust, confidence, and legitimacy in policing and the wider CJS, particularly in communities impacted by race inequality where trust and confidence is low.

Kirsten Elliott Akeman Press

You can find the answers to last issue's crossword on page 16. Congratulations to Andrew Wright for winning £20!

Crossword Competition!

For your chance to win £20, submit your full name, postal address and answers by email to puzzles@bathecho.co.uk and we'll enter you into our draw.

The winner will be the first randomly opened entry with the correct answers on 20/04/2023. Please note: We will not accept crossword entries to our postal address. The winner will be notified by the email address they use to enter this competition.

Luxury care home opening soon

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What's On

Top Secret: The Magic of Science

The Rondo Theatre

12th April, 2.30pm

Hold on to your seats as the Rondo is transformed into a real-life science laboratory and lots of unbelievable "how did they do that!" Experience actionpacked science experiments.

Fire and Rain & American Pie

Chapel Arts Centre

14th April, 8pm

This 5-piece band will bring you a musical homage to U.S. singer-songwriters of the late 60s and early 70s, featuring timeless songs from James Taylor, Carole King, Simon & Garfunkel and more.

Zoe Lyons: Bald Ambition Tour

Komedia

16th April, 7.30pm

Zoe Lyons has kept herself busy in the last few years by having what can best be described as a monumental midlife crisis. Along the way her hair decided the best thing to do was abandon ship.

Dinosaur World Live Theatre Royal

20th – 23rd April

Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show. Grab your compass and join the intrepid explorer across uncharted territories.

Bath Bookshop Crawl

Mr B’s Emporium

12th April, 9am - 6pm

A fun way to connect with fellow book-lovers, while discovering and supporting independent, second hand and charity bookshops throughout Bath and the surrounding areas.

Forage and Feast Workshop

Bath City Farm

15th April, 11am - 2pm

Join a foraging ramble around the farm to gather wild foods. Cook up a shared feast in the Roundhouse. Learn to ID edible wild plants and what to avoid. Take home recipes to try throughout the year.

Ben Wilson on Rewilding the City

Topping & Company Booksellers

17th April, 7.30pm

Join a talk from Ben Wilson, Sunday Times bestselling winner, on his new book. Urban Jungle: Wilding the City, an eye-opening and urgent re-examination of nature in our cities.

Handel’s Solomon

Bath Abbey

22nd April, 7.30pm

A rare semi-staged performance of Handel’s great oratorio - probably the first professional performance in Bath since the eighteenth century. Tickets available from Bath Box Office.

Hutch

Mission Theatre

12th – 15th April, 8pm

Hutch is a comedy with a serious streak examining the injustices and absurdities of life in the realm of the rogue landlord. Audience advisory: 14+. Adult themes. Tickets: £11.55.

Bathampton Art Group Exhibition

Bathampton Village Hall

15th April, 10am – 4pm

Over seventy paintings by local artists will be on show with subjects ranging from portraits to landscapes and still life's. Prizes are awarded for each category, with judging by artist Steve Hall.

Ward Thomas

The Forum

18th April, 7.30pm

Music In The Madness, the twins’ remarkable fifth album, is both a harmony-soaked balm for shattered souls and an uplifting reminder of what really matters.

The Chosen Haram

The Ustinov

22nd April, 8pm

Expect a mix of love, drugs and Islam. This unique and complex take on circus, performed on two Chinese Poles, is can did with moments of humour and joy set to a “banging” soundtrack.

Blue Badge Bunch

The Egg Theatre

13th – 14th April, 11.30am & 3pm

“The disability 'Taskmaster'!” A hilarious gameshow where each game represents a different disability, giving people the chance to learn about Autism and Cerebral Palsy among others.

Free Charity Concert

Kingswood School

15th April, 7pm

Three ensembles from the visiting Ipswich High School Choir Band & Orchestra from Massachusetts present a repertoire, including English favourites by Holst, Rutter and The Beatles.

Photographic Society Exhibition

St Michaels’ Without

18th - 22nd April, 10am – 3pm

Expect to see a wide variety of work displayed in the church from local amateur photographers. Everything from landscapes and travel to nature, portraits and abstracts.

Earth Day 2023

Victoria Art Gallery

22nd April, 10.30am - 3pm

Celebrate Earth Day with a craft activity at the Victoria Art Gallery. Come along

No. 1 Queen Square, Bath

Community £1m of funding to help improve energy efficiency of Curo homes

PEOPLE living in more than 100 homes owned by Bathbased housing association Curo are to benefit from a £2 million programme to improve energy efficiency.

The planned improvement works are designed to help residents save money on energy bills and reduce the carbon emissions of their properties.

The investment across 113 homes includes £1.03m awarded through the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), with Curo funding £1.04m directly.

Curo is one of several housing associations to secure funding through this scheme as part of a joint bid made with the South West Net Zero Hub.

The Hub works across the wider South West region to deliver net zero energy projects and is hosted by the West of England Combined Authority.

The improvements will target some of Curo’s least energyefficient properties and include measures that will make a lasting difference to these homes’ energy performance.

These will be mostly “fabric first” measures such as roof and wall insulation as well as some solar electricity installations, solar hot water and improved heating and controls that will lower energy bills and keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Curo Director for Asset Management & Procurement, Matt Steele, said: “We’re thrilled to have been awarded this

funding which will help us to transform the energy efficiency of these homes.

“In our recent Greener Homes survey Curo residents told us they want us to prioritise measures like these that will lessen the environmental impact of our properties and make them easier to keep warm and dry.

“This is the start of an energy investment programme that will continue for years after we’ve upgraded these 113 homes and will result in almost all our customers’ homes having an energy performance rating of A, B or C by 2028/29.”

The upgrades are part of a wider commitment to invest £142 million across Curo customers’ homes over the next 10 years, prioritising the thermal performance of each home and tackling common causes of damp and condensation.

Residents urged not to miss fuel cost support

21 per cent of total carbon emissions in the UK come from homes, according to the Energy Saving Trust, and these upgrades will help reduce emissions from households in the South West, helping to meet the UK’s net zero ambitions.

Curo secured the money as part of the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s £778m Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund for energy efficiency upgrades in social housing.

Jon Rattenbury, Programme Manager for the South West Net Zero Hub, said: “This is fantastic news for households in the South West and it takes us a step closer to achieving the region’s net zero targets.

“We look forward to working with our partners to deliver sustainable home upgrades that will make homes warmer and address fuel poverty.”

BATH MP Wera Hobhouse

is urging families across the area who do not have a mains gas supply to make sure they have claimed the support they are eligible for from the Government.

Residents who use oil, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and other alternative fuels to heat their home are eligible for £200 of support from the Alternative Fuel Payment scheme.

Most of these payments are being automatically credited to electricity bills, but people without a direct electricity supply must apply for the money.

Mrs Hobhouse is calling on the Government to ensure narrowboat residents without a permanent mooring can access the £200 payment, along with other off-grid households. The MP is also urging the Government to give families the option of a bank transfer instead of electricity credit, so that they are able to use the money to pay for the alternative fuel bills the

scheme is designed for.

Wera Hobhouse commented:

“Heating oil and gas are extremely expensive and many families in Bath have had to suffer through a long and cold winter before getting any support.

“It is disappointing the Government has waited until March to organise winter fuel payments but now that the online portal is open, it is important that nobody misses out on the money they are eligible for.

“I know many people have been frustrated by the eligibility rules and the payments being given as credits on electricity bills instead of cash.

“The rules regarding receipts that were blocking some applications have now been changed so hopefully the Government will also listen to our other points and ensure everyone in need is able to access the support.”

You can apply for the alternative fuel support at: https://www.gov. uk/apply-alternative-fuel-billsupport-if-not-automatic

Charity to bring together youngsters and older people

A CHARITY has been launched in Bath to bring together youngsters and older people who may not otherwise have the chance to spend time in each other’s company.

The ethos behind ‘GrandFriends: The Company of Elders’ is that many older people are underused community assets who are needed now more than ever.

The charity intends to rebuild the role of older people as integral and cherished members of neighbourhoods, as was traditional in the past.

The charity trains and supports ‘GrandFriend’ volunteers to give their company to younger people as part of three new programmes, the first being weekly Lunch Time Visits to a primary school in Oldfield Park, which has already proved successful. The volunteers have the time to play, chat and listen at lunch and in the playground.

GrandFriends has been devised as a response to a set of problems

which are contributing to a disconnect between elders and younger people.

Lavinia Thomas Buhagiar, charity founder and director, said: “We hope to address intergenerational loneliness, by rebuilding social connections to benefit everyone who takes part in our programmes.”

The charity was conceived in response to Lavinia’s concern that her own children rarely spent time with people of the grandparent generation because of distance to extended family, combined with a lack of regular local events to bring people of all ages together.

On the other side of this common experience, there are older people who may not have a chance to see family members and other younger people as often as they might like.

In 2018, the Government declared that the UK is in a loneliness health crisis which is affecting people of all ages. 76% of parents

and carers reported that since lockdown they have become worried that their children are suffering from loneliness. As a nation, we are living for longer but for many, retirement comes with the risk of loneliness which can cause damage to mental and physical health. According to Age UK, half a million older people go at least five days a week without seeing or speaking to anyone at all, 17% of older people are in contact with family, friends and neighbours less than once a week and 11% are in contact less than once a month.

Oldfield Park is a ‘very high risk’ area for loneliness in people over 65, according to the Loneliness Heat Map. Meanwhile, primary schools are struggling with a lack of resources, and many families are unable to access pastoral support. These issues have been made worse by the pandemic and continuing funding cuts to

schools and services, and the cost-of-living crisis. Grandfriends launched in September 2022, and more than 20 volunteers have signed up, aged from 60 to 80 plus, of whom many have completed training and have been active in the first programme: GrandFriends Lunch Time Visits, in partnership with St Johns Catholic Primary School.

Angela Bennet, co-head of St John’s, said: “Friday lunch time used to be a pinch-point but now it is the calmest day of the week and everybody looks forward to The GrandFriends coming in to visit.”

For many children, the GrandFriends are the only elders they see on a regular basis. As for the GrandFriends themselves, the experience of volunteering has been a boost, and a reminder of the value of older people and how rewarding it is to be needed.

The charity is recruiting more

volunteers and staff, and will be trialling two new programmes: the GrandFriends After School Club for children aged between 8 – 11 from all local primary schools, and The GrandFriends Sunday Social, a big lunch for people of all younger ages to come and enjoy the company of elders.

If you or someone you know may be interested in volunteering, get in touch with Lavinia on 07713400071 or email lavinia@ grandfriends.uk

There is no minimum time commitment, references and background checks are administered by the charity, and training is provided.

Grandfriends are elders, of retirement age, who enjoy the company of younger people from all backgrounds.

The charity is also recruiting an additional member of staff to support the volunteers. For a job description and application form, email lavinia@grandfriends.uk.

Breastfeeding peer supporters call for volunteers

A TEAM of breastfeeding peer supporters at the Royal United Hospital have launched an appeal for more volunteers to join them. The support service was set up to supplement the help provided by the infant feeding team at the hospital for mums and birthing people who choose to breastfeed their babies.

The service is led by volunteers who provide support in-person on the antenatal ward and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the RUH and in community locations across Bath and west Wiltshire. The service also supports people virtually via weekly online dropin sessions and has a Facebook community with over 1,400 members.

Ashleigh, a mum of three from Radstock who has been volunteering with the service for the past four years, said: “Most of the volunteers have been inspired to help out because we’ve had our own struggles with feeding. That was certainly the case for me.

“I really wanted to breastfeed my first baby but I was unable to and this left me really disheartened. “When I had my second child,

I met one of the breastfeeding support volunteers whilst staying on Mary ward at the RUH and the advice and reassurance she provided was phenomenal. I went on to successfully breastfeed my second and third babies.

“After receiving this support, I wanted to help other mums on their feeding journeys so I volunteered with the team. It’s such a rewarding role. I love seeing people become mums and being able to support them in those first few hours and days after birth whilst they’re at their most vulnerable is a real privilege.”

Every volunteer undergoes a 35hour accredited training course and mentoring by experienced volunteers and RUH maternity staff.

Ashleigh added: “As a volunteer, you’re well supported with training which you can complete online, in your own time, and you have the opportunity to shadow experienced volunteers until you feel confident to support people on your own. After this, you can help out whenever you have time, there’s no formal commitment which makes it really easy to work around your lifestyle.”

Abi, a mum of two from

Trowbridge, was introduced to the service after giving birth at the RUH. She said: “This is a brilliant resource for new mums. The guidance and reassurance I was given by the volunteers made such a lasting impact on me, I’m still feeding my 16-month old baby now which is something I never thought possible at the start.

 STRIKE ACTION

7am, Tuesday 11th April to 7am, Saturday 15th April

Junior doctors will be taking industrial action at a number of NHS trusts, including the RUH, this week. The strike action is a national dispute between the Government and unions.

The RUH said: “Patient safety is our top priority, and we are committed to keeping disruption caused by industrial action to a minimum."

If you have an appointment arranged between these dates, you should attend as normal unless you have been contacted to rearrange it.

“The Facebook group has also been a really great source of ongoing support for me, no matter how big or small your question, there’s always someone there ready to help you.”

To find out more about becoming a breastfeeding peer support volunteer, contact Sally Tedstone, RUH Infant Feeding Specialist, at sally.tedstone@nhs.net.

The RUH said it is committed to

providing an inclusive service and welcomes volunteers from a range of backgrounds, including those who speak English as a second language.

To join the virtual support group, search for ‘Bath and West Wiltshire Breastfeeding Peer Support’ on Facebook or contact Heather Kale, Breastfeeding Peer Support Volunteer, at heather. kale@nhs.net.

Community wellbeing hub launches base at hospital

PATIENTS at the RUH are set to benefit from additional help and support thanks to the opening of a new ‘outreach base’ run by the Community Wellbeing Hub.

The Hub is opening an outreach base in the Atrium of the hospital where members of its team will be on hand to advise and help patients and their families find the support they need. This could be anything from accessing extra help for those being discharged from hospital to resolving employment or housing issues or accessing mental health support and services. The team will be available Monday to Friday.

Councillor Dine Romero, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Communities, said: “This outreach means patients and their families can have a chat with one of our team if they are looking for reassurance about getting the right support as they recover from a spell in hospital. “It is all about helping people regain their independence and keep well and I’m delighted to see it open.”

Cara Charles-Barks, RUH Chief Executive said: “Thousands of people come to the RUH every week so having a hub on site is an amazing opportunity to make it easier for our community to access the support they need to

live a healthy life.

“If your loved one is in hospital, you may be worried about how they or you will cope when they get home. The hub will make it easier, providing the information, help and advice you need, whatever your circumstances.

“Outpatients, staff and visitors are also welcome to drop in to the Hub for support, it’s there for everyone.”

Simon Allen, Chief Executive of the Age UK BANES and a lead

CWH partner added: “This has been a fantastic collaboration between the RUH and the Community Wellbeing Hub and we are delighted to be launching the first phase of our project.

“We have appointed a new Community Wellbeing Hub Hospital Co-ordinator to work with all partners to ensure that patients and their families get the support they need.”

Phase two of the project, to be launched in the spring, will

see the introduction of a new ‘Onward Admission Form’. This will enable ward staff to discuss with patients about their needs and make referrals to the hub before they return home from hospital.

The hub is also working with existing Commissioned Hospital Discharge Services to improve the join up of wider services to help patients to be discharged home as quickly as possible.

The system is being developed

by Riviam Digital Care, a Bathbased company.

Paul Targett, Managing Director of Riviam Digital Care, said: “We’re delighted our Discharge service will help people leaving hospital access community care more quickly, and, using RIVIAM, health, social care and third sector services will be coordinating care for people more easily and efficiently.

“This is a great example of technology improving people’s care and, as a Bath-based organisation, we’re delighted to make a difference to our local community.”

In addition, the hub will also be installing self-service referral machines within the RUH and Community Hospitals across Bath and North East Somerset as well as staff being available within these settings to help patients access the support needed.

Anyone who needs support can contact the Community Wellbeing Hub directly on 0300 247 0050, a friendly member of the team will provide practical advice and support on issues like money and benefits, housing, food, jobs and health.

The hub is a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council, HCRG Care Group, and a number of thirdsector organisations across the region.

Some of the breastfeeding support volunteers | Photo © RUH

Opening the new hub at the Royal United Hospital | Photo © B&NES Council

Scientists working on early warning system for next epidemic

RESEARCHERS at the University of Bath who have been analysing wastewater have said that routine monitoring at sewage treatment works could provide an early warning system for future epidemics. Scientists say there could be a powerful system to warn of the next flu or norovirus epidemic, alerting hospitals to prepare and providing public health agencies with vital health information.

In the first large-scale and comprehensive wastewaterbased epidemiology (WBE) study in the UK, scientists at the University of Bath, Bangor University and the UK Heath Security Agency analysed wastewater from 10 cities for both chemical and biological markers of health, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals and diseasecausing viruses.

They collected samples from each location at hourly intervals over 24 hours on nine days in November 2021.

The samples for each day were pooled before being processed and analysed for trace chemical markers using mass spectrometry techniques.

The samples were also analysed to detect any genetic material from viruses, including SARSCoV-2, norovirus and adenovirus. The total sampling catchment area equated to a population of around 7 million people. Using highly sensitive chemical analysis that could distinguish between very similar markers, the researchers were able to tell whether pharmaceuticals had passed through the human body

or had been directly disposed into the wastewater system. They could also identify whether chemicals such as pesticides had been ingested through food or had washed into the wastewater system from agricultural land. The team observed that differences in levels of chemical markers were mostly dependent on the size of population in the catchment area, however there were some outliers.

In one city, there was a much higher concentration of ibuprofen found in the water, compared with other cities, suggesting direct disposal from

industrial waste.

The researchers detected localised outbreaks of norovirus, Covid-19 and flu, but could also correlate them with spikes in usage of over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol.

The results indicate that analysing wastewater on a large scale in this way, dubbed wastewaterbased epidemiology, could spot new outbreaks of diseases in communities early on, before large numbers were admitted into hospitals.

Professor Barbara KasprzykHordern, from the Water Innovation Research Centre

and Institute for Sustainability at the University of Bath, led the chemistry work on the project. She said: “Most people reach for the paracetamol when they first get sick, and try to treat their illnesses at home. Looking for large spikes in paracetamol use could give an early indication that there may be an infectious disease outbreak in the community.

“We can also detect markers of inflammation and so look for any possible links of poor health with exposure to harmful chemicals, such as pesticides from food or industrial sources of chemicals.

“Our study has shown that

only 10 daily samples from 10 wastewater treatment plants are needed to provide anonymous and unbiased information on the health of 7 million people – this is much cheaper and faster than any clinical screening process.

“This could, therefore, potentially be a very powerful tool for giving a holistic understanding of public health of different communities.”

Professor Davey Jones, who led a team at Bangor University analysing the wastewater for viruses, added: “Norovirus and seasonal flu have always been a huge problem in hospitals each winter; now Covid-19 has added to this problem.

“Our proof-of-concept study has shown the potential for Wastewater Based Epidemiology to provide an early warning surveillance system for these and other diseases, which would enable hospitals to prepare for outbreaks in the local area.”

Matthew Wade, from the UK Health Security Agency, said:

“This has been a fantastic collaboration of chemists, biologists and Government agencies, working with multiple water companies to collect important data on both chemical and biological markers from different parts of the UK. We are delighted to be part of this project and look forward to developing the potential of this public health tool even further in the future.” The study is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, and was funded by the UK Health Security Agency and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Bath Spa University course to help address digital skills gap

A NEW course will be offered at Bath Spa University to help address the digital skills gap, thanks to a partnership with the Institute of Coding and Catch22.

Bath Spa Click Start is a free creative digital programme funded by Nominet, designed to upskill residents and equip them with the digital and employability skills needed to start a new career in the tech and creative industries.

The course is part of the new nationwide Click Start training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC), a national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers and funded by Nominet.

Nominet is a public benefit company that operates and protects UK Internet infrastructure and uses its funds to support projects that promote digital inclusion. Bath Spa University will also harness the expertise of the not-for-profit social business, Catch22.

Over the next 18 months, Click Start aims to upskill 300 residents.

During the 12-week long course, participants will learn a variety of digital skills, including techniques in digital marketing, UI/UX and web development, to help widen their job prospects. They will also work on live briefs to strengthen their problem solving, creativity, adaptability and resilience, to develop these valuable skills that research shows employers are looking for.

Dr Anna Walker, Head of Business Development at Bath Spa University, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for learners to gain digital skills and showcase their creativity and technical ability to future employers.

“Being able to combine creativity and technology is increasingly in demand by employers, and we look forward to nurturing 300 learners to grow in confidence and skills with long lasting impact.”

Catch22 is a not-for-profit

business with a social mission. Its experts will bring to the programme more than 200 combined years of experience in building resilience and aspiration in people and communities. Last year alone, the business supported over 160,000 people across England and Wales. Catch22 will also provide all Click Start participants with a personal employability coach to support them throughout their upskilling journey, as well as six months of mentoring and support after completing the course, to ensure they have the best chance of starting a new career.

Melissa Milner, Director of External Affairs and Partnerships at Catch22, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Bath Spa University on this programme.

“We want to open up digital careers to more people in the South West, giving them the confidence and skills to secure long-term sustainable career opportunities.

“We are committed to making sure that no one gets left behind as we build a workforce for the future.”

The Bath-based, level three equivalent short course will feed directly into the wider national Click Start initiative, which has been designed to help to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by offering skills and training

to more than 26,500 learners across the country, who may not previously have had such opportunities.

Bath Spa’s Click Start programme is open to those aged 18-30 living in the West of England who are experiencing barriers to employment.

The first cohort of the course starts on 25th April 2023.

Professor Barbara Kasprzyk-Hordern is developing techniques to monitor wastewater | Photo © University of Bath

The new course will last 12 weeks and is hoped will benefit around 300 residents

Milsom Street businesses have their say on restrictions

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

THE 10am - 6pm part-time pedestrianisation of Bath’s most popular streets is still controversial among shopkeepers as Bath and North East Somerset Council make the rules permanent.

Some businesses on Milsom Street feel that the ban on driving down the road during the day has had a negative impact on their customers.

Linda Browne is a Florist at OKA. She said: “It’s impacted us quite a lot. […] We have had a lot of customers that have been quite upset about it.”

She added: “People are still driving down Milsom Street and being snapped and charged.” But other traders were more positive. A member of staff at Hobbs said she had not worked there long enough to know what the street was like before, but said: “We are very busy and I don’t think it has impacted our business in any way.”

Adam has worked at the Reiss

store on the street for a few years, although he does not speak for the business, and he said: “It’s had quite a positive impact on Milsom Street.”

He added that there had been more footfall on the road since the scheme had been in place and said: “Business is pretty good for us.”

He said: “The feedback from customers has always been quite positive. It’s certainly changed the atmosphere and the vibe of Milsom Street, with not having all the traffic come down it.”

But some traders say there have been other impacts of making the street car-free.

One salesperson commented they had seen no real impact on footfall, but she said: “If someone wants to pick up something from us, they can’t quickly stop outside. […] They could do before 10, but we are not open.”

Staff now sometimes have to come in half an hour early so that customers can pick up items, she said.

Ms Browne said that, although there were more people walking down Milsom Street, the inability

to park on the street had an impact on people with disabilities.. The scheme has been criticised in the past for making it more difficult for people with disabilities to get around the city centre.

But Manda Rigby, the council cabinet member for transport, said that the council had tried to minimise the impact. She said:

“We have been monitoring the temporary restriction since we introduced it in June 2020.

“We have spoken to and considered feedback from

residents, businesses, bus operators and stakeholders, including Blue Badge holders, in order to weigh up views very carefully before making this decision.

“Without a doubt, preventing vehicles other than buses along Milsom Street has made for a much more pleasant, less congested and much safer space.

“Feedback from the bus operators has been very positive and while it is not directly provable if the closure has had a direct impact, it is reassuring to see retail units

are almost at full occupancy for the first time in two years.

“However, this decision also affects people with disabilities and deliveries. Due to changes in various roads in the city centre, we commissioned an independent accessibility study and listened to concerns.

“We have made several adjustments to assist people with limited mobility, as well as businesses and residents with their deliveries, which we believe balances the impact of the 10am6pm restriction while keeping the benefits that a congestion-free Milsom Street has enjoyed.”

She said: “Although it is no longer possible for vehicles to park or drop off [or] pick up passengers in Milsom Street between 10am and 6pm, we have provided additional Blue Badge parking bays less than 50 metres away in Quiet Street and approximately 70 metres away in New Bond Street. Using John Street and Quiet Street as alternative access, it is still possible for a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge to drop off or pick up within 30 metres of the bottom of Milsom Street.”

Milsom Street in Bath | Photo © Alena Veasey / Shutterstock.com

Car use needs to almost halve to meet climate targets

Alex Seabrook Local Democracy Reporter

CAR use in the West of England region needs to almost halve to meet net-zero climate targets by 2030.

Over the past 15 years, almost no progress has been made locally on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from transport, according to the latest analysis. Transport is the largest local contributor to carbon emissions, without even counting the impact made by shipping or flying.

The number of miles driven in private cars needs to be reduced by 40 per cent, according to the West of England Combined Authority, meaning both fewer trips and shorter journeys. Better fuel efficiency and growing use of alternative modes of transport have been offset by a rising number of car journeys, and cars generally becoming larger with a trend towards large sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Last year 52 per cent of people in the region travelled to work by car.

The problem was set out in detail in the West of England climate

and ecological strategy and action plan 2023.

The wide-ranging document also suggests ways political leaders could tackle stubbornly high levels of transport emissions, such as bringing in congestion charges.

The strategy, published this month, said: “Emissions from transport are among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas and carbon dioxide emissions in the region, representing 42% of the total in 2020.

“Transport emissions are not reducing in line with other emissions. Population growth means that car trips are expected to increase by a further 8% up to 2030.

“We need to substantially reduce the use of the private car mileage by around 40 per cent, both in terms of the number of trips and their length. This represents a fundamental change in lifestyle — decentralising services so people can access them in their local neighbourhood; significant increases in the use of public transport and active modes of cycling, walking and wheeling; and a shift towards electric cars will help but will not be enough.”

Plans to cut car use in the region, according to the new strategy, could include hiking car parking fees, providing public services more locally, building new bike lanes and better pedestrian routes, building new railway stations and increasing the frequency of train services, and introducing congestion charges to help pay for improved public transport. Two Clean Air Zones were recently introduced in Bristol and Bath — but the aim of these is not to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases. Instead, they focus solely on reducing nitrogen dioxide pollution, which harms people’s health with a proven link to worsening lung and heart conditions, and an increased risk of heart attacks and dementia. But many people in the West of England currently have “no viable alternative” to driving a car, according to Liberal Democrat Councillor Richard Samuel, deputy council leader and cabinet member for resources at Bath and North East Somerset Council. Speaking during a combined authority meeting on 17th March,

he criticised recent cuts to local bus services. He said: “It’s perfectly obvious that you cannot expect people to forego car journeys if there is no viable alternative. And the viable alternative in our area is predominantly bus transport. People I speak to say, ‘well I would leave my car at home if there was a good alternative’. “I can tell you from conversations I have with people, that the reason concessionary fare bus holders are not using their tickets is that there is no damn bus, or the service is poor and irregular and has been cut. That’s the problem.

“What people do in those circumstances is they abandon the bus as an alternative.

“Much more effort needs to be put into this. Frankly the bus service in this area is a disgrace, and it is deteriorating and everybody knows it is deteriorating.

“What we need is serious analysis and serious solutions to a very deep seated problem.

“The problem is not of our causing, it’s what is happening in the bus industry.

“But to be honest it sticks in my throat to be handing millions more to private operators for a deteriorating service. This is not the way to go.”

Thousands of businesses at risk of closure due to rising costs

ANALYSIS has revealed that more than 2,000 businesses in the South West are at risk of closure due to rising energy costs.

Energy support for businesses is set to be slashed by 85% by moving from a cap on the unit costs of electricity and gas to a discount covering a small proportion of the price.

According to the Federation of Small Businesses, “one in four small firms anticipate either closing, downsizing, or radically changing their business model”

when support is cut in April.

Analysis by the Liberal Democrats has shown that small and medium-sized pubs, restaurants and cafés are facing an increase in bills of £231 million nationally, and around £3,037 in Bath and North East Somerset per business.

Bath’s economy and businesses are continuing to recover from the pandemic, with High Street vacancy rates currently between 3% and 4%, compared to a UK average of 10.2%.

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal

Democrat MP for Bath, commented: “The Conservative Government is failing businesses across our region. Businesses which have barely managed to survive the pandemic are now being left to their own devices to get through this energy crisis.

“If the Conservatives actually understood businesses they would extend energy support for at least another six months as Liberal Democrats have called for.

“Bath’s economy has shown its economic resilience with footfall

COLUMN | Dan Norris, Labour Mayor of the West of England

THE pumping of filthy raw sewage into Bath’s waterways is disgusting.

Our city’s rivers and streams are our natural heritage - they’re homes for wildlife as well as places of pleasure and beauty for Bathonians to enjoy.

Our precious waterways should not be used as giant open sewers to pour streams of human waste into.

But if last year’s figures are anything to go by, you can expect raw sewage to pour into Bath’s rivers for four and a half hours during the course of TODAY. Yes, you read that right.

This is an environmental scandal.

Not one Bath and North East Somerset river is in a healthy condition - none meet good chemical standards. In 2022 alone, over two months’ worth of sewage was dumped into Bath’s waters - a mountain of muck staining some really, really delicate ecosystems. It is a scandal that rightly enrages so many people.

Yet according to new data, the nine biggest private water firmsincluding South West Water and Wessex Water - received some 2,800 ‘warnings’ since 2015 from the regulator, but our country still has the worst river quality in Eu-

rope.

Our country is going backwards. Not one English river is classed as being in a healthy condition and few meet good ecological standards.

To make matters worse, not only have the Conservatives given the green light for water companies to dump sewage and neglect our vital water infrastructure, but they have also rewarded them for it by allowing shareholders to simply walk away with millions in dividends and with bumper bonuses for negligent water bosses. This news will inevitably once again spark serious concern at

in the city centre now even higher than before the pandemic. “The Chancellor should not

be jeopardising this recovery by abandoning businesses to massive spikes in energy bills.”

the environmental, health and economic impact that sewage dumping is having on all our communities. Indeed, a recent Parlia mentary Question showed that the Government has failed to conduct any economic assessments of the impact of sewage pollution on tourism trade and businesses.

Can’t they see how a dirty river has an effect on a world heritage site attracting tourists from round the globe?

As your Metro Mayor, I want to be able to show off our amazing area

to people looking to do business here, visit or study. I don’t want to worry about them thinking it’s a stinking mess. So I feel I’m dutybound to show moral leadership on this.

We need mandatory monitoring on all sewage outlets. Automatic fines for discharges.

We must demand action from water firms, and from government. Because communities in Bath and beyond should be able to just enjoy the place where they live without having to worrying about encountering raw sewage.

Transport accounts for the largest local contributor to carbon emissions

Rising energy costs are forcing businesses to close their doors

In Other News...

New plans submitted to replace historic cottage with modern homes

John Wimperis Local Democracy Reporter

THE owners of a historic cottage on the edge of Bath are trying again to replace it with two new houses.

Owners Jeremy and Sarah Flavell plan to demolish the 1850s Waterworks Cottage on Charlcombe Way and replace it with two “unashamedly modern” houses.

They have submitted a new planning application to Bath and North East Somerset Council just months after similar plans were thrown out.

The design and access statement submitted with the application says this “will enhance the site and its surrounding areas.”

It is the latest stage in a planning

battle, which began in November 2020, to replace the cottage with new homes.

In September 2022, it was ruled that the Flavells would not need prior approval to knock down the cottage, subject to the demolition happening within five years. The current planning application states: “the demolition is now in the process of being actioned.”

The cottage dates from the 1850s, when it housed people who worked at the nearby waterworks. Attempts to get the historic building listed have failed.

An application to build two four-bedroom homes on the site after demolishing the cottage was thrown out by the council in January, which said the plan was “unacceptable and fails to contribute and respond to the local context.”

Truespeed to expand network across city

It also stated that the size of the new homes would cause “significant harm” to the Waterworks Cottage’s next-door neighbours in Combe House.

But less than two months after the plans were rejected, the owners are back with a new application, reducing the size of the houses and, instead of placing them next to each other, putting one a little further down the hill.

The application states the new proposal is a “well-considered, revised design scheme, which has assessed the site, its context and surroundings and responds positively to the previous planning applications.”

You can view and comment on the application at: www.bathnes. gov.uk/webforms/planning/ details.html?refval=23/00895/ FUL

BATH-BASED broadband provider Truespeed has announced plans to significantly expand its fullfibre service across the city, bringing its total investment in the area to £11 million.

Truespeed, which has its head office, and customer service centre based on the Lower Bristol Road, employs more than 250 local people and already offers ultra-fast broadband to more than 60,000 households.

Now, with the latest investment in its infrastructure, Truespeed will be available to 21,000 properties in its Bath-focused rollout, which will include Batheaston, Bathampton and Bathford alongside Pulteney Road and Henrietta Park.

James Lowther, chief executive of Truespeed, commented:

“Since we started eight years ago, we’ve been bringing ultrafast broadband to rural, semi urban and suburban areas across the South West.

“To now expand our coverage in our home city of Bath marks a key milestone for the company.

“With our headquarters and team based here, investing in our own streets to support the city with the benefits of full fibre is a true privilege.

“We’re also proud to be increasing employment, supporting economic growth and enabling innovation across the city.” Truespeed has said it will be working closely with Bath and North East Somerset Council and the community over the coming weeks and months to keep residents updated regarding any potential disruption.

Mediation vouchers for separating couples welcomed

THE extension of a scheme run by the Government which gives separating couples up to £500 worth of vouchers to use on mediation has been welcomed by lawyers in Bath.

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme will now run until April 2025, backed by an additional £15 million in funding. Mediation is a process which sees couples work through their differences with a trained and accredited mediator to reach agreements such as how to split assets or how children share their time between their parents, rather than have a judge decide for them.

So far, thousands of families have used the vouchers to help solve disputes with Caroline Fell and Rebecca Eels from Stone King’s Family & Mediation Team, who said they see the results of mediation in their practice. Both Caroline and Rebecca are mediators as well as lawyers, and also qualified child-inclusive mediators.

Speaking about the voucher extension, Caroline said: “This really is good news for separating families and their children.

“We all know that separation and divorce are really emotional and stressful for all concerned and, unfortunately, children often get caught up in the tension.

“But now, by supporting parents to use mediation to solve their differences, we should see quicker and less fraught resolution and happier adults and children as a result.”

Furthermore, under government plans, it is proposed for mediation to become mandatory in all suitable cases, with the exception of those which include allegations or a history of domestic violence. This will mean separating couples have to attempt to agree arrangements for their children and finances through a qualified mediator with court action being a last resort.

The Ministry of Justice says this could help up to 19,000 separating families resolve their issues in a less antagonistic way, as well as reducing backlogs and easing pressures on the family courts.

Chair of the Family Mediation Council, John Taylor, said: “Family mediation can play a really positive role in producing better outcomes for separating families, and in reducing the burden on courts.

“This consultation shows that Ministers recognise its value in helping separating couples make parenting and financial arrangements without the stress and delays involved in going to court.

“It builds on the government’s successful £500 voucher scheme, which is encouraging separating couples to consider family mediation to resolve their disputes. The next few weeks will help shine further light on a process that has the potential to help many thousands more shape the futures of all their family members.”

Chief Executive of the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), Jacky Tiotto, said: “Cafcass

Across: 1 Bedclothes, 7 Alas, 9 Stepsister, 10 Bran, 11 Study, 12 Worthless, 14

25 Stork, 28 Sumo, 29 Superhuman, 30 Barn, 31 Everything

Down: 2 Entitle, 3 Coped, 4 Omit, 5 Hot dog, 6 Sprat, 7 Ambulance, 8 Aral Sea,

22 Nipple, 24 Issue, 26 Tough, 27 Tray.

strongly welcomes the focus on supporting more parents to agree how they will care for their children and spend time together without the need to make an application to the family court when they are separating.

“We work with in excess of 145,000 children every year and we see the harm to which children are exposed in long adversarial court proceedings.

“Programmes that encourage parents to consider together what is safe and in the best interests of

their children help to keep the focus on what children want and need as they grow up.”

The proposals are now subject to a government consultation which will run for 12 weeks, closing on 15th June 2023.