Funding worries could see waste collection changes

From Page 1 options to replace it but every one means a massive funding shortfall, with the cheapest costing £330 million over 10 years where bin collections are outsourced to a private operator while recycling centres and other work are brought back in-house.

This requires more than 50 extra council staff and, because of budget savings targets and the fact that the current £3.1 million annual grant from Defra will be lost, would leave the council having to find an extra £4.7 million a year to run the service, so charges are set to be increased.

Cabinet members were being asked to approve the general idea of how the new service will look, ahead of engagement with residents over the summer and more details to come back for a decision in October, followed by further public consultation.

A report debated at the crossparty scrutiny commission on Wednesday, June 14, said that moving to three-weekly black bin collections from 2026 would save £500,000 a year while four-weekly would recoup a further £300,000. Charges for disposing of “hardcore” waste at tips, such as asbestos and tyres, would bring in £500,000, while higher fees for collecting bulky waste would add to the current £190,000 the authority receives for the service, although this does not fully cover its costs.

Increases to the garden waste subscription from £30 to £50 were proposed in the council’s annual budget in January but were scrapped by the former Tory administration following residents’ objections.

However, these are now back on the table, with the report saying this would bring in an extra £800,000 a year.

We do it your way

But worse is likely to come for householders because the higher charges combined would still only give the council an additional £1.8 million a year – well short of the required £4.7 million – so officers are proposing that the garden waste charge should be increased to £60 or even £75 a year and that residents would have to pay £25 for a replacement new bin.

Conservative shadow cabinet

Labour cabinet member for communities and local place Cllr Leigh Ingham said:

“It is astonishing, and rather cynical, that the Conservatives seemingly appear surprised by the proposals as the work on this project which was largely done by their previous Conservative administration.

“They either have short memories or were disengaged in the work they did in the preparation of this report.

“This new administration believes in listening to the people of South Gloucestershire and we don’t want to prejudge the findings of meaningful engagement activities with residents which will be taking place over the summer.

“However, we have to be clear and transparent with residents.

“The new Lib Dem and Labour partnership administration has inherited incomplete plans for £40 million of cuts to be delivered over the next four years.

“Previously both Lib Dems and Labour councillors worked with the Conservative administration to develop the plans for this service and we hope the Conservatives, now they are in opposition, will continue this way of working for the good of our residents.” member for communities and local place Cllr Rachael Hunt said: “I’m extremely concerned that the coalition is considering reducing the frequency of black bin collections, introducing charges at recycling centres and increasing the garden waste collection fee.

Officers told the scrutiny commission that “awkward” waste, such as nappies, clinical and sharp objects, would be collected more frequently than black-bin rubbish under the proposals and that there was plenty of time to talk to residents, explain why the changes were needed and get them on board.

“We’re just one month into the new administration and its leaders are already considering ways to saddle South Gloucestershire’s hardworking residents with more fees and charges – something the Conservatives didn’t do when previously running the council.

“In South Glos we have an excellent record of prosecuting people for fly-tipping.

“These crazy and irresponsible proposals could see that record seriously jeopardised as people try to avoid charges and deal with the accumulation of rubbish they’ll see when their bins aren’t emptied as regularly.

“For an administration that has made tackling the climate emergency a top priority, pursuing policies that could be seriously damaging to the local environment is extremely hypocritical.”

Advertising feature - Bright Green Homes

Filton homeowners can apply for FREE energy saving scheme

More than 500 households in Bristol, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset (BANES) are to receive funding for energy efficiency and renewable upgrades to help tackle fuel poverty and cut carbon emissions.

The ‘Bright Green Homes’ project will be delivered across the South West, by Bristol City Leap, an innovative new partnership between Bristol City Council and Ameresco, designed to bring in investments of nearly £500 million in low carbon energy projects and create over 1000 jobs in its first five years.

Energy efficiency upgrades will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will range from insulation measures like loft and cavity walls to the installation of renewable and low-carbon technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps. Households can apply via the Bristol City Leap website where they will complete a short questionnaire to determine their eligibility. Home improvements for eligible households will be installed by Bristol City Leap partner, Ameresco from March 2023 and continue until 2025.

The three councils successfully bid for funding from phase 2 of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s home upgrade grant.

David White, Operations Director for Bristol City Leap, commented: “Our Bright Green Homes project will help reduce the energy bills of over 500 families in Bristol, Bath and North East

Somerset and North Somerset, whilst also tackling the climate emergency and creating local jobs.”

More information on the scheme and how to apply can be found on our Bright Green Homes page on our website www. bristolcityleap.co.uk/domestic/ bright-green-homes or by contacting the Bristol City Leap team at 0117 352 1180. Advert, Back Page

Lunar Optical

Lunar Optical has now been providing the local area with Ocular Health advice and care for 10 years so we wanted to take this opportunity to thank our patients.

Thank you very much for supporting us and our local independent Opticians, we very much look forward to the next 10 years and can’t wait to see what those years bring us.

Filton planning applications in June Applications

Land At Flat 1 78 Northville Road

Erection of detached 1 bedroom bungalow with new access and associated works

Land Adjacent 24 Fifth Avenue

Erection of 1 detached dwelling with associated works.

Abbey Wood Retail Park, Station Road

Operational development and the erection of an enclosure to form an external garden centre. Relocation of staff car and cycle parking areas.

54 Mackie Grove

Change of use from dwellinghouse (Class C3) to small house in multiple occupation (Class C4) and the erection of a single-storey rear extension with fenestration alterations.

30 Warren Road

Change of use from small house of multiple occupancy (HMO) (Class C4) to a 7 bedroom large HMO for up to 7 people (Sui generis) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended).

66 Mortimer Road

Erection of 1 outbuilding to form workshop. Status: Awaiting decision

104 Gloucester Road North Erection of a single storey rear extension to facilitate the subdivision of 1no. dwelling to 2 flats (Class C3) with associated works.

6 Mackie Avenue

Erection of hip to gable roof extension and rear dormer to facilitate loft conversion. Conversion of existing garage with replacement of garage door with a window to provide additional living accommodation. Change of use from C3 dwellinghouse to HMO (3-6 people) C4.

86 Northville Road

Continued use of 86 Northville Road as a small HMO - Use Class C4. .

To view all planning applications and decisions, visit https://developments. southglos.gov.uk/ online-applications

Decisions

678 Southmead Road

The erection of a single storey rear extension, which would extend beyond the rear wall of the original house by 6m, for which the maximum height would be 3.15m, and for which the height of the eaves would be 3m.

Prior Approval Not Required

Travelodge Abbey Wood Retail Park Station Road

Display of 6 illuminated facia signs.

Advert Approve with Conditions

30 Warren Road Installation of a rear dormer to facilitate a loft conversion.

Approve Certificate of Lawfulness

40 Conygre Grove Demolition of existing side extension. Erection of attached dwelling and associated works.

Approve with Conditions

108 Lower House Crescent Demolition of existing garage. Erection of single storey outbuilding to be used as office, storage, gym and shower ancillary to main dwelling house.

Approve Certificate of Lawfulness

3 Hunters Way

Continued change of use from residential dwelling (Class C3) to small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO (Class C4).

Approve Certificate of Lawfulness

7 Mackie Avenue

Erection of incidental outbuilding.

Approve Certificate of Lawfulness

59 Conygre Road

Change of use from small house in multiple occupation (C4) to a 8 bedroom, 8 person large house in multiple occupation (sui generis) with a loft conversion and provision of car and cycle parking.

Approve with Conditions

Festival returns

The Filton Community Festival returns for 2023 on Saturday, July 22 and features a range of different music from local acts and bands including Filton Concert Band, Doc Rock, Beacon Rise, Elevation, Outatime, Underground Frets and Kaiju Blue, performing alongside local dance groups including; Stagecoach, Ukelele Filton Players, North Bristol Independent Colour Guard and Tribal Fantasy, plus other clubs and associations. Fun rides for the children include bungee trampolines, giant inflatables and obstacle courses, football games, side shows, a testing climbing wall and for the younger children, the popular junior Go-Karts plus a Wipe Out inflatable - for the adults to join in as well!

NEW for this year is a special Graffiti arts zone with a professional artist helping budding Banksys! There will also be sideshows, arts & crafts, and community stalls will offer a wide range of local products and novelties, a beer tent and drinks stalls providing different alcoholic beverages alongside a variety of catering units for food and refreshments.

See poster on Page 32

Primary fayre

Charborough Road Primary School is welcoming the local community to ‘The Pear Tree Fayre’ which promises to be a fun-filled day for all the family.

The Fayre, on Saturday, July 1, will have a variety of traditional fayre games and entertainment, dancing, inflatables, and our huge summer raffle of hampers.

‘The Pear Tree Fayre’, which runs between 12 and 3pm, is being staged to raise money for the school to revamp the library, purchase new play equipment and improve the schools' green spaces.

Children are welcome to enter the Big Bake Off or veg growing contest, plus there will be local dance groups and live entertainment provided by some of our amazing pupils.

Rest assured, the school's head teacher "Mayor Lankester" will be keeping the proceedings proper throughout the day!

For those needing refreshment there will be ice cream, cream teas and savouries available in the ‘Village Bakery’, why not bring a picnic blanket and make the most of the lovely new lawn.

A suggested donation will be welcomed on the door. Please contact CRD.FOS@gmail.com if you are interested in having a stall or would like more information.

See poster on Page 8

Bus struggles

Metro Mayor Dan Norris has revealed he has struggled to book travel on his flagship WESTlink minibus service which launched recently in Filton and selected areas across the Bristol region.

The demand-responsive transport service was launched in April by the West of England

Combined Authority and neighbouring North Somerset Council, with a fleet of minibuses which do not follow set routes but can be booked to take people between bus stops in a set zone.

Responding to claims that there had only been 10 of the minibuses in the Somerset area of the scheme — the “south zone” — on Wednesday June 7, Mr Norris told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “While haven’t got official figures, agree that it was a difficult day as when tried to book a WESTlink myself, there were none available. But I’ve always said this would be a gradual roll out and that WESTlink will need more minibus drivers.”

The on-demand buses were intended as a way to supplement the existing bus service, but bus cuts across the West of England — after a funding row between the Metro Mayor and local councils saw bus services slashed — have left many people in rural areas forced to rely on WESTlink.