Filtonvoice March 2023

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT

New council budget delivers quality services and invests in future

South Gloucestershire Council’s new budget for 2023 to 2024 sets out investment plans of more than £838 million (gross) on services, over £132 million on capital and infrastructure projects, and allocates more than £267 million to schools, training and early learning in the district.

These are tough financial times for the council, as they are for all residents and businesses. Global forces have driven an increase in costs, reduced income and growing demand for services but thanks to sound management of public money in recent years with a focus on delivering efficiencies and value for money, South Gloucestershire is better placed than most other councils to deal with these pressures. That’s why parking remains free in all council-owned car parks across the district and why an extra £1million is going into ensuring the road network is properly maintained.

Investing in priority areas

Investing in schools and educational attainment has been the council’s top priority over the past few years, and the measures contained in the budget will enable this to continue in 2023 and beyond. The budget also commits to taking decisive action to tackle the climate crisis, invest in South Glos high streets to support local businesses, and to deliver vital infrastructure projects.

Your council is investing in:

• an extra £1 million for highways maintenance to improve some local roads earlier than planned.

• continuing the new Street Enforcement Service for a further two years to tackle environmental crimes, such as littering and dog fouling, following a successful pilot

• £1.5 million to deliver further progress on the council’s response to the climate emergency

• supporting some rural bus services to continue while work is done across the region on transport options

• allocating a further £500,000 to help local people with the cost-ofliving crisis. It has also made money available to deliver a fast-tracked affordable housing delivery service.

View from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Toby Savage

WELCOME to this special edition of The Voice in which we bring you news of our new budget, the upcoming local elections, and details of cost-of-living support.

These are difficult financial times for the council and for our residents and businesses. I am very pleased that we have been able to produce a budget that continues to deliver the quality services that local people appreciate and rely upon. We will receive more than we anticipated from Government. This means that we can limit Council Tax rises and continue to deliver on our top priority, for all our young people to have the best possible start in life. It’s great to see our schools’ performances going from strength to strength.

There will be local elections in South Gloucestershire this May for district along with parish and town councillors. If you are not already, you must be registered to vote. For the first time, you’ll also need to take an accepted form of photo identification to vote at a polling station. Find out more and how to get help on page 3.

I’d like to thank The Voice, a wonderful local business, for a great partnership over the past few years. If you would like to get our latest news by email, please sign up for our weekly newsletter. You’ll find details on how to do this on page 3.

Cllr Steve Reade with the Road Maintenance team

Street Enforcement team and street cleaner

Investment in major projects and in young people

As well as delivering day-to-day services and support, your council will continue to invest in major infrastructure programmes and providing the best start in life to our young people. This includes:

• More than £37 million towards new primary and secondary schools in Lyde Green

• Over £14 million to improve Castle and Marlwood school buildings

• £3 million to increase the number of new homes for children in care to help them stay close to their local communities

• Nearly £3 million for a new community centre at Ladden Garden Village in Yate

• £2.7 million for community facilities in the east of Emersons Green

• More than £6.7 million to continue the re-

Services maintained

Public consultation took place on draft budget proposals, which helped refine the plans to ensure they reflect community priorities.

Combined with work by council officers, the following services will continue:

• the proposed increase in the garden waste subscription, from £30 to £55 will no longer happen

• the council will support Christmas light

generation of Kingswood High Street and surrounding area, including the Whitfield Tabernacle restoration

The council’s direct funding to local schools will increase by £15.2 million (8.1 per cent), with funding for children with additional needs rising by £5.2 million (11.5 per cent). The minimum funding for each pupil will be at least £4,405 for each primary school pupil and £5,715 for each secondary school child.

The continued investment in South Glos’s young people’s education, both at primary and secondary, is getting results. In December 2017, 72 per cent of students attended a good or outstanding school. By December last year (2022) this figure had risen to 90 per cent of students.

displays next year for areas that will become parished this year

• StreetCare Operations & Support Team which carry out road and grounds maintenance will not be reduced

• Members’ Awarded Funding and Area Wide Grants, which provide support to many local community groups and activities, will not be cut

• the Carers’ Grant will be maintained next year while work continues on a cross-party basis to develop an improved package of support

Where your money goes  





Caringforandsupporting olderpeople

Lookingafterourmost vulnerablelocalchildren

Improvingeveryone’shealth andwellbeing

 Collecting,recyclingand disposingofrubbish







Educationandskills(on top of governmentfunding)

Runninglibrariesandbuilding safercommunities

Maintainingroads,parksand theenvironment

 Towardsmorethan500other servicesandcouncilcosts

for carers

• planned CCTV upgrades in Chipping Sodbury will be brought forward to next year

• funding for the Taxi Marshal service will be maintained in response to local concerns about community safety.

Balancing the budget

All local authorities in the country are facing financial challenges and the council will implement changes to services to reduce costs by more than £24 million. This will in part be met by increasing income through fees and charges for services that are eligible.

Preserving some bus services

The council is also preserving some bus services using council reserves, much of which can only be spent on certain activities. These services include the 84/85 and 622 routes on an interim basis while work across the region continues on transport options

Cllrs Toby Savage, Erica Williams and Ben Burton with members of South Gloucestershire Council’s Community Learning & Skills team.

Contacts

Richard Coulter

Editor and publisher

0777 555 0607 | richard@filtonvoice.co.uk

Shane Gibson

Editorial and Advertising sales

0770 674 1200 | shane@filtonvoice.co.uk

COMPLAINTS

and on Twitter @filtonvoice

Residents' fears over plans for 8-10 bed supported living home

Residents in a quiet Filton cul-de-sac say they were not consulted over plans to convert a house into eight-10 bed 'supported living' accommodation.

"We will see a home where an elderly couple lived turned into an eight-10 bed supported living house with an additional three staff.

If you have a complaint about anything in the Filtonvoice, contact the Editor using the details below. We take complaints seriously and aspire to follow the Code of Conduct of the NUJ (National Union of Journalists), which holds journalists to a high standard of behaviour.

Further details of the complaints process can be found on the Voice website www.localvoicenetwork.co.uk, or can be obtained by contacting the publisher, above.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Filtonvoice is independent. We cannot take responsibility for content or accuracy of adverts, and it is advertisers’ responsibility to conform to all relevant legislation.

We cannot vouch for any services offered although we have used some of the services. Opinions are not necessarily those of the editor.

Filtonvoice is distributed each month to all Filton residents. If for some reason you do not get a copy, please get in touch or collect one from Filton Library. Feedback is welcomed, call editor Richard Coulter on 0777 555 0607 or richard@filtonvoice.co.uk.

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Documents in the planning application, by Bristol Supported Housing & Support for 55 Gloucester Road North, say occupants will typically be people with mental health issues, learning difficulties or physical disabilities.

The property access is in The Wicketts and homeowners there say they have concerns about parking, road traffic issues and potential nuisance and disturbance problems with future residents of the property.

"The access itself is via The Wicketts as opposed to Gloucester Road North, however no consideration or consultation of the residents of The Wicketts has taken place.

"Parking has always been an issue on this road and we have incidences where emergency services have struggled to gain access to people in need. The development of this property will inevitably cause obstruction both on the Wicketts and Gloucester Road North as cars wait to turn in.

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Some with young families fear that windows in the new facility will overlook their gardens and that residents of a similar property in nearby Bronksea Road 'sit outside and shout abuse' at passers-by.

They added that only three properties in The Wicketts were consulted but the proposals will have an impact on all households in the street.

"The company in question provides housing for a variety of individuals but could include drink/drug rehabilitation patients, offenders on probation, mental health patients and the homeless.

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One resident told Filtonvoice: "As members of a quiet culde-sac we are all extremely concerned regarding yet another over development of a larger property on our doorstep.

"Whilst I completely understand the need for supported housing I think the location has to be given proper consideration - including consultation of all residents in the local vicinity. The property in question directly looks into my garden and home. I have two young children who should be allowed to play freely with

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no concern. However, if this property goes ahead I am left fearing who will be able to see our children in the privacy of their own home."

More than 15 objections submitted as part of the planning process all concerns.

Resident CL, commenting on the publicly available planning application, said: "Their chosen residents could badly affect the amenity of existing residents of The Wicketts, who (living in a small cul-de-sac) have no choice but to pass this property every time they leave or return to their houses. A C2 property in the next road, Bronksea Road, has residents who sit outside and shout abuse at passers by. This would be disturbing to anyone, especially in a cul-de-sac, with many elderly and also very young children."

Resident LB said: "During lockdown, our daily walks around the cul-de-sac, talking to long residing neighbours (some being here 30+ years) made so much difference.

"We feel safe and at peace. We are particularly worried about 55 Gloucester Road North being changed into a Class 2 dwelling. I want myself and my family to continue feeling safe when we are home and when we walk around. I don't want to walk my child past a property that could be housing individuals that can be dangerous or rowdy. It concerns me that the communal garden is right on the road side, right where we walk regularly."

Resident DH said: "We continually have parking problems in The Wicketts, given there is no parking allowed along Gloucester Road. We have had numerous occasions

where inconsiderate people have parked both sides of the road, therefore making it impossible for any emergency vehicles to get down the cul-de-sac. We have also had an occasion where we have had to phone the police as we couldn't get out of our road to go to work. Adding another eight people to the road as well as possibly three staff will exacerbate the current problems as they will look to park in the cul-de-sac given they cannot park on Gloucester Road."

Residents say they have approached local councillors and MP Jack Lopresti who urged them to object through the planning process.

PI Davis, architects for the planning applicant, said on the application: "Bristol Housing & Support Limited provide supported living for individuals who have been assessed and deemed to be legally in urgent need of housing, with a focus on individuals with Mental Health issues, Learning Difficulties and Physical Disabilities.

"Bristol Housing & Support Limited provide a fully managed service for individuals that use their facilities at other established locations within the city and all are run with by experienced teams of staff that include a designated “House Manager” at each site.

"Individuals using the sites are treated with respect and compassion by staff who strive to provide a relaxed and positive supported living environment."

Plans for the property indicate there would be eight bedrooms in the main house, two more in an annexe and accommodation for staff in the basement.

There are already two

supported living properties in nearby Bronksea Road.

Bristol Housing & Support say they assist 'the most vulnerable people in our community with immediate housing needs'.

The application says the annexe will provide 'transitional' accommodation before residents move to independent living.

Bristol Housing & Support were approached for comment.

Read all public comments at https://developments.southglos. gov.uk/online-applications and search for P22/06890/F

Editor's note: Filtonvoice has agreed to publish only initials of those protesting about this issue, however they are all available to read, with full names, on the link, left

Residents of The Wicketts who object to plans for 55 Gloucester Road North. Opposite, the property rises over nearby gardens

Yellow lines plan for nearly 30 Filton streets

Nearly 30 roads in Filton will have double yellow lines and in some cases daytime no waiting under proposals being put forward by South Glos Council. The council says the purpose of this scheme is to restrict dangerous areas of parking, maintain visibility at accesses and junctions, whilst ensuring that there is adequate parking provision for residents and visitors accessing the local shops, and businesses.

l The scheme would prohibit vehicles waiting at any time (double yellow lines) in lengths of Blenheim Drive, Boverton Road, Branksome Crescent, Branksome Drive, Bridgman Grove, Bude Road, Canberra Grove, Charles Road, Cleve Road, Conygre Grove,

Conygre Road, Cul-de-Sac off Filton Avenue, Filton Avenue, Glebelands Road, Holmdale Road, Lower House Crescent, Mayville Avenue, Meadowsweet Avenue, Rectory Lane, Rodney Crescent, Sandown Road, Station Road, The Mead, Ventnor Road, Wades Road, Warren Road and also Whittle Close, Stoke Gifford.

l It would also prohibit vehicles waiting Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm lengths of Blenheim Drive, Boverton Road, Conygre Road, Filton Avenue, Meadowsweet Avenue and Rodney Crescent

l And the plans would restrict vehicles waiting during specified days and times

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(limited waiting bays) in parts of Blenheim Drive, Conygre Road and Rectory Lane.

It is proposed to introduce the no waiting at any time restrictions (double yellow lines) to cover junctions/accesses and areas where traffic parking can reduce visibility and impact safety, and where access to service vehicles such as refuse lorries is currently hampered due to indiscriminate parking.

The proposals include the conversion of existing advisory white keep clear markings, to no waiting at any time restrictions (however keep clear lines across private drives are not included).

A consultation ends on March 11. Visit www.southglos.gov.uk/ about-the-council/consultationfeedback

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Labour leader Sir Keir opens Filton tech academy

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer praised apprenticeships as he visited Filton to open a new STEM (Science, technology, Engineering and Maths) academy

Airbus Filton marked the beginning of National Apprentice Week 2023 with the opening of the new onsite Academy.

The academy has been established to enhance Airbus’s STEM offering to local students and inspire future talent in a fun and engaging way.

Targeted at 11-14 year olds, it incorporates an interactive learning workspace where students can undertake a range of hands-on activities, alongside a full-scale A400m wing.

It also features an overview of aviation history and the Filton site’s 110 year heritage, as well as looking to the future with Airbus' decarbonisation and sustainability ambitions.

After his visit, Sir Keir said: "The apprentices I met at Airbus

this morning are inspiring and ambitious.

"With our Growth and Skills Levy, my Labour government will give business flexibility to invest in the skills needed, and harness the next generation of talent."

Claire Hazelgrove, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Filton and Bradley Stoke, said: “It’s fantastic to have Keir Starmer and Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy Jonathan Reynolds in Filton to open the STEM Academy at Airbus.

"The Labour Party is pledging to back British business by giving them greater flexibility over how the failed apprenticeship levy is spent.

"Labour’s ‘Growth and Skills Levy’ will provide more training opportunities for adults and young people across Filton and Bradley Stoke to get the skills they need to secure good jobs”.

Sue Partridge, the Head of

the Filton site and a former Airbus apprentice said: "National Apprentice Week is all about highlighting the huge range of opportunities that apprenticeships create for young people. As a former Airbus apprentice myself, I’ve experienced first hand what a brilliant route into the business our apprenticeship programme is

and we have a fantastic range of opportunities available in 2023.

"The opening of the STEM Academy today will help us to further promote these opportunities by engaging with more local students and inspiring them to consider STEM subjects and think about a future in aviation.

"Right now in Filton

we’re working on new wing technologies and fuel systems that will help make aviation more sustainable for future generations - so young people joining us this year could soon be working on the hydrogen technology we will have in our future aircraft”.

The STEM Academy is part of a range of projects Airbus is running to reach out to local schools.

The Airbus Foundation Discovery Space Youth sees volunteers from within the business work with school students to increase their understanding of aerospace concepts, before designing and building a drone to compete in a ‘fly-off’ challenge.

The programme is now in its sixth year at Filton and one of the first students on the programme recently completed an Airbus apprenticeship and is now one of the programme leaders.

Council tax payers to foot the bill as transport link costs for new Filton arena spiral by £3.4m

by BBC LDRS staff for Filtonvoice

A multi-million pound package of transport links to the Bristol Arena in Filton has hit a stumbling block after costs spiralled.

Just three months ago, the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) committee, comprising metro mayor Dan Norris and the leaders of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath & North East Somerset councils, awarded £6.6million for new infrastructure around the site of the major new concert venue, including walking and cycling routes and upgraded traffic lights and junctions.

But in the short time since, the bill has rocketed by half to more than £10million as a result

of soaring inflation and prices in construction and utilities, according to a report to the latest committee on Friday, January 27.

While the 19,000-seat arena itself is not at risk of being cancelled, the taxpayer-funded sustainable transport project around the former Brabazon Hangars in Filton is now under review before a decision will be made.

Mr Norris said he wanted to establish exactly why it would now cost so much more and whether the figures to the October meeting, which he said were provided by Conservativerun South Gloucestershire Council, were “wildly optimistic” or if something unforeseen

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had happened since then. The council’s leader, Cllr Toby Savage, hit back, saying it is “disappointing but not at all surprising” the Labour metro mayor has again singled out the local authority for undue criticism and that the report to Weca committee was clear that inflation and higher prices for utilities were to blame.

The arena infrastructure package includes four routes for walking and cycling, including segregated cycle lanes, wider pavements and better pedestrian crossings, along with new traffic signals and junctions near the arena and the relocation of bus stops.

Developers YTL are providing a further £60million, secured

through the planning process, on a range of other measures, such as road improvements, a new footbridge across the railway, a bus gate, park and ride, and shuttle buses.

The report to committee last Friday said: “Since the approval of the outline business case, the costs of the scheme have increased owing to inflation levels above those previously allowed for, a significant increase in the cost for utilities and other increases in construction and project management costs.

“The current forecast is £10.08million, an increase of £3.44million above the allocation agreed at the committee meeting in October 2022.”

Members agreed that the full

business case and additional money would not be signed off until the programme review board had examined the cost rises in detail.

After the meeting, Mr Norris said: “I was surprised that the estimates for the Bristol Arena infrastructure costs have significantly increased since

the figures provided by South Gloucestershire Council in October.

“I want to get to the bottom of whether this is about inflation or something else and if the South Glos figures presented in October were wildly over optimistic or if something has happened in the last three months.

“That is why it has been referred to the programme review board to ensure value for taxpayers’ money.”

Cllr Toby Savage said: “It’s disappointing, but not at all surprising, to see the Weca mayor again single out South Gloucestershire in this way.

“In a report discussed and

agreed last week by members of the Weca committee, which included the Weca mayor, the reasons for the cost increase were noted as being primarily due to inflation and a rise in utility prices. Given the global financial context, this is not surprising.

“The outline business case for the project, which was based on prices in late 2021 and early 2022, identified costs from the initial designs.

“Since then, more detailed design work has been carried out and, due to factors beyond our control over the past year, costs have inevitably increased.

“I’m pleased that South Gloucestershire Council is one of a number of organisations working to deliver this project, which will bring considerable benefits.”

At Weca committee in September, Cllr Savage said delays to the scheme would be “calamitous” and “heap utter chaos and misery” on residents, as gig-goers would struggle to get to and from the arena.

by BBC LDRS staff for Filtonvoice

Crackdowns are being launched to tackle littering and landlords who fail to bring rented homes up to energy standards, after South Gloucestershire Council approved its annual budget.

Council tax will rise by 4.99 per cent as expected, taking the authority’s portion of bills for middle Band D households up by £87.47 to £1,752.11.

With no increase in the Filton Town Council precept, a £15 increase in the Avon and Somerset Police precept and £5 for the fire service, this means the average Band D household will need to pay £2,414.10 in 2022/23, or £241.10 over 10 monthly instalments, around £11 per month more than last year.

The spending plans comprise £287million for day-to-day services, £132million on major capital and infrastructure projects and £267million to schools, skills and early learning.

They include an extra

Filton residents to pay average of £11 more per month for council tax

£1million for road repairs, solar panels for all council buildings and the use of reserves to keep the 84/85 and 622 bus services running temporarily before they are expected to be axed as part of swingeing cuts to subsidised routes across the region from April amid a funding row.

But some council services are being reduced and charges increased, to plug a £24million shortfall and balance the books for the next three years.

Opposition councillors warned that many of the savings are “hidden” behind reviews that need working through rather than finalised proposals.

The Conservative administration accepted budget ideas from both opposition

groups at the full council meeting on Wednesday evening (February 15), with Labour securing a dedicated enforcement officer to make sure all private rented homes are brought up to minimum standards for warmth and energy efficiency.

The officer will identify and work with landlords whose properties are below an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C.

Current law requires homes to be at the lower grading of E but a bill going through Parliament would raise this by two bands, which Labour says would make 5,700 houses and flats in South Gloucestershire non-compliant.

Group leader Cllr Pat Rooney said: “We want residents to be

Council tax bill for Filton Band D

South Glos

£1752.11 (up by £87.47)

Filton precept

£312.84 (no increase)

Police £266.20 (up by £15)

Fire £82.95 (up by £5)

Total £2414.10 (equates to £241.41 over 10 monthly instalments)

healthy and happy, and being in a warm home is key to that.

“But it’s also about the environment and making sure homes aren’t producing any more carbon than they need to.

“Making sure homes in the private rented sector are warm enough and green enough is a full-time job, and we’re glad this council is making it just that.”

The Lib Dems won backing for action on climate change and the cost-of-living crisis with initiatives to help residents and businesses cut emissions.

Their spokesman for corporate resources Cllr Jon Lean said: “While we support investments such as those in mending roads and the Frampton End Farm nature reserve, there were too many cuts in the budget hidden behind ‘reviews’ where we just didn’t have the information of the potential impact to be able to support them.

“I have concerns that a number of the cuts in this budget

affect vulnerable people the most.

“In a time of rising prices for all and even the increasing use of food banks, this budget removes support for some of the people most in need in our area – cuts to the preparing-for-adulthood service, cuts to the opening hours of One Stop Shops, cuts to wellbeing services that promote healthy lifestyles.

“Coupled with the increase in council tax, residents will simply be paying more for less.”

But the Conservatives who

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run the authority said the budget protected the most vital frontline services and they had succeeded in balancing the spending plans despite rising demand on what it provides and soaring costs caused by Putin and the war in Ukraine.

Council leader Cllr Toby Savage, pictured, said: “These are tough financial times for the council, as they are for all our residents and businesses.

“But I am pleased that we are able to set a budget that builds on

our hard work in previous years and which continues to deliver on our priorities for residents and businesses across South Gloucestershire.

“The council will continue to invest tens of millions of pounds in local schools to ensure record attainment levels continue and take decisive action to tackle the climate crisis.

"We will build vital public transport infrastructure and invest in local high streets to ensure that our significant achievements over the past few years continue.”

The budget allocates funding for a new street enforcement team to tackle environmental crimes, such as littering and dog fouling, for two years following a pilot.

Original plans to increase the garden waste subscription from £30 to £55 and cuts to the streetcare team and the Chipping Sodbury taxi marshals were withdrawn ahead of the meeting.

“I am an independent councillor, who is NOT affiliated with a political party”

Horfield news Council to sell off two Horfield buildings in cost saving measures

Bristol City Council is selling off six buildings – including a family support centre in Horfield – in the hope of raising £3million to help plug a huge budget shortfall.

The family contact centre, in Rodbourne Road, Horfield, houses eight staff and its use would “need to be re-provided”, the report said.

The council is also selling the dilapidated former Horfield community centre in Wordsworth Road, currently used as a temporary construction yard for self-build homes by Ecomotive, whose lease expires in May.

According to the report, the organisation has told the authority it wants to buy the property because, “we have a

strong connection in Lockleaze and are working closely with Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust with the Turner Garden site, as well as recruiting people from the local area into our build team”.

Ecomotive said: “We would like to create the Wordsworth site into a community involved ‘self-finish’ project.”

It said it could either provide housing on the site or buy the building, depending on what the council wanted.

But the report said: “Officers advise against disposal directly to Ecomotive and recommend a competitive sale on the open market in which the current occupier can participate.”

Mayor Marvin Rees’s cabinet agreed the properties, which will

be assessed for suitability for housing prior to sale, were no longer needed, although council staff are based at four of them and will have to relocate, while the remaining two are home to other organisations.

The mayor’s budget proposes £16.2million of cuts and savings in 2023/24 and £30.2million overall as the local authority faces a £20.3million annual budget gap, which is forecast to double in four years.

Deputy mayor Cllr Craig Cheney told the meeting: “The financial pressure on the council and the resulting need to deliver significant capital receipts and revenue savings from the portfolio means that work to identify assets no longer required

for service delivery are prioritised and accelerated.

“Cabinet approved the open market disposal of five surplus assets in July 2022 and this report identifies a further six which are either vacant or underused.

“Prior to disposal on the open market there will be reviews to assess suitability for use by housing as temporary accommodation, housing development or for sale to registered providers.

“Any staff still in the buildings will be relocated to other suitable council accommodation.”

The report said the council would consult staff and trade unions at least one month before any moves needed to happen.

The family contact centre, in Rodbourne Road

Residents fixing their own teeth amid serious shortage of dentists

by

Desperate residents are performing their own dental work because of a chronic shortage of NHS provision in Filton and beyond.

Councillors across South Glos said the system was in a “death spiral” with an increasing number of practices going private and dentists leaving the area or the profession altogether.

A foster daughter who moved to South Gloucestershire could not find a dentist and so had to return to Swindon for treatment while a family of Ukrainian refugees even travelled back to their war-torn homeland because they could be seen there quicker, a council meeting heard.

NHS bosses admitted there was a “workforce crisis” but they were trying “innovative” ways to improve the situation, including offering more favourable contracts to dentists.

But South Gloucestershire Council health scrutiny committee members said they were not reassured and that wholescale changes were needed.

Kingswood ward Labour Cllr Andrea Reid said: “In terms of people performing their own treatment, we are way past that point. It’s not a future tense we are trying to avoid, it’s already happening.

“Several dentists I’ve spoken to said quite simply that the reason they can’t keep NHS dentists is because they’re not allowed to make a profit.

“The NHS dentist students are staying for a year, realising they can make more money in the private sector and they leave.”

Frenchay & Downend ward

Conservative Cllr James Griffiths said: “My worry is about the health inequality of this.

“We’ve had local dentists go private and send a letter to all the residents saying,‘you’ve no longer got an NHS dentist and if you’ve got a family of four, please can we have £600 a year’, depending on the package.

“It’s a death spiral because as more and more people go over to the private sector, they can then pay them more, the NHS service gets worse each year and it will slowly degrade and more people will go over.”

He said dentists had told him they got paid between £30,000 and £60,000 a year more to treat the same patients privately than on the NHS.

South England head of stakeholder engagement Lou Farbus told councillors: “We have a workforce crisis and in the South West we’re an underdog because we have to compete with the rest of the country to fill our workforce gaps.”

A report to members said adult patient numbers at NHS dentists in South Gloucestershire had fallen steadily in recent years and stood at 36.7 per cent in June 2022, a 5.9 per cent drop in 12 months.

This was lower than the access rate for England as a whole, at 37.4 per cent.

The number of children who saw a dentist in the district during that year rose by 12.3 per cent to 42 per cent, although this was still below the national average of 46.9 per cent.

It said the figures were affected by the pandemic, when routine check-ups were cancelled.

BBC LDRS staff for Filtonvoice

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FESTIVAL FESTIVAL IS BACK! IS BACK!

Filton Town Council are excited to bring back Filton Festival this year. The day is already being planned and its going to be an amazing day for the whole family to enjoy.

It will be held Saturday 22nd July 2023 starting at 11.30am and ending at 6pm. It will be set in Millennium Green this year due to the works going on in Elm Park, which is a very short walk from the usual place.

There will be bands, dance groups performing, arts and craft stalls, rides - including a climbing wall, plus a graffiti arts zone and various other fun activities to take part in and enjoy.

If you would like to have a stall or table, get in touch using details below. More details will be added here as we get details confirmed.

Filton Town Council

Welcome to Filton’s Warm Space

Please take a seat… read a book… ... attempt a puzzle ... or just come along and sit in the warm and relax. All with a complimentary warm cuppa!! Every day from 10am to 3.30pm at Filton Leisure Centre, compliments of Filton Town Council and Active Nation

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please note due to the current demolition works the Filton Town Council meetings will now be held temporarily at SHE7, Braemar Crescent, BS7 0TD, 7.pm on the following dates: -

PUBLIC NOTICE

Monday 13th February - Full Council (Finance)

Council offices

The council offices have moved temporarily while refurbishment takes place at the Elm Park site.

Monday 27th February - Full Council

Monday 13th March - Full Council (Finance)

Monday 27th March - Full Council.

Please note due to the current demolition works the Filton Town Council meetings will now be held temporarily at SHE7, Braemar Crescent, BS7 0TD, 7.pm on the following dates: -

Monday 13th February - Full Council (Finance)

Monday 27th February - Full Council

Monday 13th March - Full Council (Finance)

Monday 27th March - Full Council.

The council is unable to have visitors to the office at the moment but appointments can be made or enquiries made at the Leisure Centre reception – which is now situated at the rear of the building.

Please contact us at office@ filtontowncouncil.gov. uk or by phone 01454 803918 to arrange an appointment if necessary. If you have an enquiry or wish to report a problem email office@ filtontowncouncil.gov. uk.

PARK | FILTON | SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE | BS34 7PS

ELM PARK | FILTON | SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE | BS34 7PS

Lesley Reuben Web: www.filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Filton Town Council would like to thank you for your patience during this time.

Please note: the leisure centre demolition works will NOT affect our warm space

Filton MP Jack Lopresti

Filton leading the world in aerospace and defence

This month in our local area I have been able to revisit some of the fantastic aerospace and world-leading defence companies we have in or area.

I visited Aeralis to catch up on progress with their modular jet which could replace the Hawk, Red Arrows jet, as the trainer aircraft for the RAF among other potential uses. Their planned jet is a radical new concept and a world leading modular design with the potential to be a major British export which could be used in militaries around the world. This will create jobs and deliver on-demand operational air support services as part of the future of our Air Force.

I also visited GKN Global Technology Centre in Filton and this time met with their Vice President, Sameer Savani, where we discussed technological innovation and sustainable development. We also discussed STEM engagement with local

schools and colleges and their apprenticeships programme. The GTC is also working with several partners across the region, helping to sustain our area as an international centre of excellence in aerospace and technology.

In Westminster, at Prime Minister’s Questions, I asked the Prime Minister to join me in paying tribute to everyone who works at MOD Defence Equipment and Support, Abbeywood, for all that they

do, especially in helping the Ukrainians get the kit they need to fight for their freedom. The Prime Minister joined me in paying tribute to MOD DE&S and confirmed £24bn in additional defence spending as well as his commitment to more equipment being manufactured in the UK.

In Parliament, I continue to champion and advocate apprenticeships. The opportunities they bring and the contribution they can make

to enhancing social mobility will ensure we maintain the knowledge, skills and expertise, not only for good quality jobs in our area, but will protect and enhance our sovereign defence manufacturing capability.

Earlier this month I met with Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury to discuss the company’s ongoing and increasing investment into Filton, and also attended the ADS Annual Dinner, which brings together the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors. I was hosted by Lockheed Martin and spent the evening explaining to them the great merits and advantages of investing in our area.

As always, should you need my help with anything, my office is open from Monday to Friday between 9am and 6pm. Please telephone me on 01454 617783 or email me at: jack.lopresti. mp@parliament.uk if I can be of assistance or to book a surgery appointment.

DAVE TRIMBY ROOFING

GARDENING GET-TOGETHERS

alternate Saturdays 11am - 1pm

March 4th and 18th

April 1st, 15th and 29th

Help keep the garden looking great for all to enjoy. All welcome - from beginners to expert gardeners. Wear suitable clothing for the weather and gardening gloves. Tools and guidance are provided.

MOSAIC WORKSHOPS

Create mosaics for display in the garden

March 18th and April 15th - 1pm to 3pm

Cost £3.00. Bookings essential - places limited. Email: communitygarden@filtontowncouncil.gov.uk

Filton planning applications in February

Applications

48 Mackie Grove

Change of use from a dwellinghouse (C3) to a large house in multiple occupation for up to 8 people (sui generis), including the erection of a hip-to-gable and rear dormer roof extension and a singlestorey side extension.

l Change of use from C3a dwellinghouse to small house in multiple occupation for up to 6 people (C4) to include erection of a hip-to-gable and rear roof extension, single storey side extension, demolition of existing front porch.

696 Southmead Road

Erection of single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation. Erection of detached incidental outbuilding.

1 Pine Grove

Conversion of existing garage to form annexe ancillary to main dwelling.

55 Northville Road

Erection of a single storey rear extension and installation of 1 rear dormer.

26 Braemar Crescent

Erection of two storey front

and side and single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation (amendment to previously approved scheme (P20/18886/F).

11 Sixth Avenue

Continued use as small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for 4 tenants (Class C4).

Land Adjacent To 19 Branksome Drive

Erection of a two storey side extension to form 2 flats with associated works.

943 Filton Avenue

Creation of vehicular access onto classified road (Class C) with associated works (Retrospective).

Decisions

Land At The Shield Retail Centre Link Road

Installation of 8 EV chargers, and 1 substation with associated equipment and works.

Approve with Conditions

Land at and northwest of 676 Southmead Road

Erection of bike store, formation of enlarged vehicular parking area and alterations to access onto Southmead

Road (a Class B highway) to facilitate the change of use of 1 Class C3 dwelling to an 8 bedroom, 8 occupant house in multiple occupation (sui generis) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended).

Approve with Conditions

524 Filton Avenue

Demolition of existing extension and erection of a single storey rear extension to form a self contained residential unit and alterations to the existing shop front to provide a separate access to the residential unit.

Withdrawn

52 Gayner Road

Erection of part single storey, part two storey rear extension to facilitate the change of use from a residential dwelling (C3) to a large house in multiple occupation for up to 8 people (sui generis) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) (resubmission of P21/06303/F) (Part retrospective).

Approve with Conditions

798 Filton Avenue

Erection of two storey rear extension to 798 to form additional living accommodation and erection of a two storey side extension to form

HM watch

2 flats with access and associated works.

Approve with Conditions

7 Charles Road

Erection of single storey rear extension and first floor rear extension to form additional living accommodation with external rendering.

Approve with Conditions

54 Fourth Avenue

Change of use from Class C4 dwelling (small HMO) to 9 bedroom 9 person house of multiple occupation (large HMO) (Sui generis) as defined in the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended).

Approve with Conditions

615 Filton Avenue

Erection of 1 attached dwelling with associated works.

Approve with Conditions

Filton Golf Course, Golf Course Lane

Screening opinion for the extension and improvement of golfing facilities.

EIA Not Required

We have a shortage of foster carers and need more people in Bristol to come forward. Please help us keep local children close to their schools and communities.

Get in touch with us to find out what support, training and benefits we offer our amazing foster carers.

Foster with Bristol City Council and make a difference.

0117 353 4200 www.bristol.gov.uk/foster

Hot

Rhyme

Story

Lego

Saturday 4th & 18th 10:30-11:30

Due to popular demand, we’re now running Lego clubs every two weeks!

Come along for some creative fun with our Lego! Suitable for all Primary school aged children

Staffed Opening Hours:

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 10:00-17:30

Saturday: 09:30-13:00

Tuesday, Friday, Sunday: CLOSED

Want to access the library 7 days a week? Find out more here: southglos.gov.uk/openaccess

Your chance to stand for council and shape the local community

People in Filton are being encouraged to stand for election as a councillor and help represent their local area.

Nominations papers for candidates for elections to South Gloucestershire Council as well as town councils like Filton are now available. The submission of nominations will commence from 27 March and the deadline is 4pm on 4 April.

The local elections in South Gloucestershire will be held on 4 May this year, when 61 district councillors covering 28 district wards and 492 councillors for 50 parish and town councils will be voted on by an electorate of more than 211,000.

This includes deciding on the representatives for the newly created parish councils for Charlton Hayes, Stoke Park and Cheswick, and Staple Hill and Mangotsfield.

Being a councillor is a varied and highly fulfilling role where you help make decisions on the issues that matter to local communities. Councillors represent local people’s views on a wide range of matters such as planning applications, transport, education, social care, waste and recycling services, the climate and nature emergency, and keeping streets and open spaces clean and tidy.

People from all backgrounds and experiences who can reflect the communities they serve are needed. You do not have to be a member of a political party to stand for election - you can also be an independent councillor.

Training will be provided and district councillors are paid an allowance.

There are a number of eligibility criteria that need to be met by anyone wishing to

stand as a candidate for South Gloucestershire Council or one of the area’s parish and town councils. You can find the full set of qualifications and disqualifications and details and guidance on standing for election is available on the Electoral Commission website (www. electoralcommission.org.uk) including links to the various forms that need to be filled in and submitted.

South Gloucestershire Council will be holding a briefing sessions for prospective candidates in person at Kingswood Council Chamber on 6 and 9 March.

For more information, please visit https://beta.southglos. gov.uk/stand-for-election, call: 01454 863030, email: electoral. services@southglos.gov.uk or write to: Electoral Registration, PO Box 1953, Badminton Road, Bristol, BS37 0DB.

Cherie to lead specialist school

SGS Pegasus School is delighted to confirm the appointment of Cherie White as its new permanent Headteacher.

A highly experienced school leader, inspector and SEN expert, Cherie started at SGS Pegasus in an interim role in September and her impact has been so great that she has now been given the role permanently. SGS Pegasus is a special school for pupils with autism spectrum condition which has grown rapidly since opening to now provide high quality specialist education and care for over 90 students. The school opened in 2017 and moved to its current site in 2019.

Cherie said: “It is an absolute pleasure and privilege to be the Headteacher here at Pegasus, where each member of the team is passionate and committed to ensuring each young person has their needs met as fully as possible.”

n NEWS FROM THE METRO MAYOR

150 years of the chocolate Easter egg

WHAT’S your favourite chocolate treat? A Mars Bar? A KitKat? An Aero, or perhaps a Fry’s Chocolate Mint Creme?

As winter turns to spring, it’s not just budding daffodils that are appearing. No, it’s Easter eggs showing up in all good West of England shops, too!

I love seeing Easter eggs displayed every year, because we live in the place where the hollow chocolate egg was invented.

And this year there’s an eggs-tra reason to celebrate - because it was exactly 150 years ago that it happened.

When I nipped to the local shops on my travels last week and got chatting to staff busy putting a huge range of eggs on shelves, I told them that Fry’s chocolate makers - who started out in Bristol but later moved their factory to Somerdale, Keynsham, having merged with Cadbury - came up with the idea of the hollow chocolate egg.

The Fry family’s innovation was to

make chocolate by mixing cocoa fat with cocoa powder and sugar. This made a super-smooth paste, which could be poured into egg moulds.

These new eggs were just as tasty but lighter than solid continental eggs, which made them easier to afford.

People couldn’t get enough of these new egg-shaped chocolate treats, and it wasn’t long before they were selling all over the world.

I love it when something that starts out as a new idea in our great region goes global - now as well as back in 1873. It’s a tradition we need to keep going!

In acknowledging our local history of chocolate manufacturing in the 18th and 19th centuries, we also need to recognise its ugly side, for sugar and cocoa grown on Caribbean plantations exploited and abused people of African descent, who were forced into slave labour.

While it is true that Quakers in the UK, like the Fry and Cadbury families, helped

lead the anti-slavery movement, it is also correct to say that not every Quaker held this view, particularly in America.

Despite the closure of the Fry’s/ Cadbury factory at Keynsham just over a decade ago, our region is today home to many, many independent chocolate makers - using creative talent and ethical practices including Fairtrade chocolate. The commitment from chocolate companies to learn from the past actions, both good and bad, of their predecessors is encouraging and very important.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris writes for the Voice

n MESSAGE FROM AVON & SOMERSET PCC

£15 increase will help to close the funding gap

THANK you to those of you who completed my precept survey and shared their thoughts about my proposal to increase the policing part of the council tax by £15 a year for the average band D household.

A couple of weeks ago, the Police and Crime Panel supported this proposal to increase the precept.

This funding will help reduce the impact of Avon and Somerset Police’s funding gap, but will still leave a projected deficit of £3.4 million in the year 2023/24 and £7.10 million in the year 2024/25.

Inflationary increases, combined with limited additional funding from central Government, have left a funding gap that, without the precept increase, would have resulted in significant cuts to police staff and services.

I know that many households are facing difficult financial circumstances. However, as

your PCC, it would have been irresponsible not to address the policing service’s funding gap and help reduce this deficit while I had the opportunity.

We will be using the £3.4 million reserve funding to address the shortfall so that the chief constable has capacity to develop a sensible savings programme while still delivering an effective, efficient and legitimate service.

Moving on, I want to touch on the brilliant work that Avon and Somerset Police’s fraud and cyber protection team do protecting and preventing people falling victim to fraud.

The fraud and cyber protect officers provide training, advice and guidance to individuals and businesses across Avon and Somerset and, in innovative ways, make sure to get prevention messages to people who need to know them.

Fraud is so vast and there’s so much to consider when tackling this crime. Sadly, a high proportion of fraud victims are repeat victims. By providing extra support to these residents, the aim is to prevent future crimes. We need to continue to raise awareness about the different types of fraud and what to do if you’re targeted, to ensure everyone is resilient and resistant to scammers’ methods.

I also want to acknowledge the ongoing work of Avon and Somerset Police officers in keeping our roads safe. Last December, officers took part in Operation Tonic, the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s winter drink and drug driving operation.

The force has recently published the results from this week of action, which reveal that between November 21 and December 31, 346 drink and drug drive arrests were made.

A WARM WELCOME AWAITS AT FIELD HOUSE NURSING HOME

Providing top quality, best value, holistic care

Field House in Horfield offers safe and nurturing care

We are now enabling close contact visits in the home, every resident is able to have an essential care giver, and there is no isolation required for new residents from the community. We still have a varied activity schedule which keeps life interesting and happy.

We also ensure:

• Strict Infection Control measures approved by Public Health England are fully implemented

• Care staff wear PPE at all times and we have ensured a high volume of supply

• Skilled nurses are on site 24/7 and respiratory equipment is at hand

• Safe face-to-face visits where possible

With Police and Crime Commissioner Mark

Shelford

I am shocked at the number of people who, despite warnings from the police, got behind the wheel under the influence.

There is no excuse to drink and drive at any time of the year - by doing so, you’re putting your own life and others’ at risk.

Please do tell Avon and Somerset Police if you suspect drink/drug driving is happening, and help us keep our roads safe.

What's on in Filton ... email

St Peter’s Church: Services

Sunday 5 March

10am Eucharist and 5pm Youth of God at the Rectory

Sunday 12 March

8.30am and 10am Eucharist

Sunday 19 March

8.30am and 10am Family Eucharist for Mothering Sunday

Sunday 26 March

8.30am and 10am Eucharist

Midweek Said Eucharists are on Wednesdays at 12noon.

Social and Church Groups

Our Ladies' Group meets at 2pm every other Monday in the church hall. Full programme and contact details available on our website.

Our Mothers' Union meet on Thursdays at 2pm in the Coffee Shop. Again, full details on the website.

Brabazon Belles (a social group for women) meet on the first Monday of the month at 7pm in the church hall.

Our Open House group meets every Tuesday in the church hall from 9.3011am for tea, toast, and companionship.

Our friendly choir meets for rehearsals every Friday at 7pm in the church.

Our Zumba group meet on Mondays at 10am and 11.15, and Fridays at 9.30am. Contact Jools for more information jooljdh@gmail.com or julie737@zumba. com

Community Coffee Shop

Our friendly, welcoming coffee shop is now open from Monday to Friday, 10am - 1pm for hot and cold drinks, homemade cake and hot snacks. Suggested donation £1.50 per item. We are now an official designated Warm Space so come in out of the cold and find warmth, comfort and companionship with us.

A local resident who has recently fled here from persecution in Iran, has offered to cut people's hair in the Coffee Shop in return for donations to the church. She will be in the coffee shop on Wednesday mornings if you would like a quick trim.

You can find more information about all of this, and read our weekly news sheet, by going to www.stpeterschurchfilton. com and if you have any queries, please contact the Rector, or the administrator, who will be only too happy to help. rector@stpeterschurchfilton.com and faith.stpeterschurchfilton@gmail.com

St Andrew's Methodist Church

Sundays Morning Service 10.30 am. Little Lights (for children whose parents are attending worship).

Tuesdays Wesley Guild, alternate Tuesdays, 2.15 pm.

Thursdays (Term-time) Rainbows 5.30- 6.30 pm.

Friday (Term-time) St Andrews Baby and Toddler Group, 10.00 am – 11.45 am, £2 per family, includes refreshments. Play, crafts, chat and singing time.

Saturday Messy Church, 2nd Saturday of the month, 3.30 pm – 5.30 pm. Crafts, games, short service, and a delicious tea. And it's all FREE!

Outside groups also regularly hire our newly refurbished multi-use church. For bookings, Tel 07773636042. For all other enquiries, please Tel 0117 9872143.

FACE

Mondays: 12.30-1.30pm Tai Chi, £3 entry

7-9pm The Hangout youth club for young people aged 13-25, with social or learning disabilities, £2 entry

Tuesdays: 10am-12pm Coffee Club (tea & coffee morning for older folk), donations welcomed 5.30-6.30pm Rise youth club for School Years 3 & 4, £2 entry

7-8.30pm Shine youth club for School Years 5 & 6, £2 entry

Wednesdays:

7-9pm Outbreak youth club for School Years 7-13, £2 entry

Thursdays:

Silver Surfers (over 50s IT support drop-in) 10am-12pm, £3 including refreshments.

1.30-2.30pm Low Impact Fitness session, £3 entry

7-9pm Illuminators social club for adults aged 20+ with social or learning disabilities, £2 entry

Fridays: 10am-12pm “Coffee & Chat” coffee morning for anyone who would like to come for refreshments, conversations and join in crafts and games together. Donations welcomed.

Saturdays:

1.00 -3.00 pm The HUB - Environment and Wellbeing.

For 18+ with social and learning disabilities as well as any other adult who is keen on gardening, art and nature. £2.

Contact kate@facecharity.org.uk for any queries, the programme of activities and booking in. Actively welcoming volunteers to help with the group.

Contact: FACE, Youth Centre, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. 0117 9691938 / info@facecharity.org.uk

Girl Guiding

Rainbows – age 4 - 7 years - Tuesday 16:45-17:45 & Thursday 17:30 – 18:30

Brownies - age 7 - 10 years - Tuesday 17:45-19:15

Guides - age 10 - 14 years - Tuesday 19:30 – 21:00

Rangers - age 14 - 18 years - Tuesday 19:30 – 21:00

To register your daughter, go to Girlguiding UK website and follow the link 'Register my daughter'

1st Filton Scouts

Beavers age 6-8, Tuesday 5:30 – 6:30 & Wednesday

5:45 – 6:45

Cubs age 8-10, Monday and Thursday 6:30 – 8pm

Scouts age 10 -14, Tues 7 – 8:45pm

The group is based in Scout HQ, Nutfield Grove, Filton, BS34 7LJ. All sections are open to boys and girls. Email:joining@1stfiltonscouts.co.uk Website:1stfiltonscouts.co.uk

Men In Sheds Filton

The DIY group, which aims to tackle loneliness and isolation among men aged over 50, operates from the Scout hut in Nutfield Grove, providing a space to socialise, build, share skills and drink tea. Men in Sheds Filton is part of a national movement, initiated by Age Concern Cheshire in 2009 and sustained by the UK Men’s Sheds Association. The group runs every Wednesday, from 9.30am-12.30pm. Call John Cahill 07986053005

SHE7

Tuesday: Bingo 7.30pm - 9.00pm

Wednesday: Over 50s lunch, Cooked lunch, pudding and tea/coffee for just £3.50. Please ring 0117 969 5130 to book and arrive by 12.15pm.

Wednesday: Bristol Taiko - Japanese Drumming 7.00pm - 8:30pm, £5 per session

International Plastic Modellers Society Avon

Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday in the month from 7:30pm for 8.00pm at:

BAWA Healthcare & Leisure, 589 Southmead Rd, Filton, Bristol BS34 7RG.

Ukulele Filton

We are an enthusiastic group of ukulele players, who meet to strum along and sing on Monday evenings, at 7.30 pm, at Filton Community Centre. No previous experience needed. We have spare ukes for you to try, and plenty of help in getting you started. For further details, phone Sue on: 0750 4561 831.

Bristol Scrabble Club

Bristol Scrabble Club meets every Wednesday evening from 7pm

until 10pm at the Filton Community Centre. Elm Park Filton BS347PS. New members are welcome and first visit is free so come along and give us a try. For more information ring Sheila Hinett 01179570792 or 07435316458. Alternatively email shinett@blueyonder. co.uk.

Bristol Sugarcraft Guild

We are a small friendly group who meet every third Saturday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Andrews Church, Elm Park, Filton. If you would like to learn to make sugar flowers and models we hold demonstrations and also workshops with instruction. Beginners are very welcome.

Please call Jean Kington on 01454 314178 or Carole Hyams on 0117 956 8037 for more information.

Horfield Townswomen’s Guild

We will be meeting at St Andrew's Church Hall on the 2nd Wednesday afternoon of each month (except August) at 2pm to 4pm.

We welcome new members. For more information, please contact Edna on 9495413.

Community Garden

Gardening Get-togethers on alternate Saturdays 11am to 1pm: March 4th and 18th

April 1st, 15th and 29th

All are welcome from beginners to expert gardeners. Wear suitable clothing, bring your own gloves, enthusiasm and hope for good weather! Tools and guidance are provided.

Mosaic Workshop to create a large mosaic for FACE/Filton Community Garden space.

Saturday 18 March 1pm - 3pm at FACE, St Andrews Methodist Youth Centre, Elm Park BS34 7PS. Bookings essential as places are limited. Cost £3 More information email: communitygarden@filtontowncouncil. gov.uk or visit www.facebook.com/ filtoncommunitygarden

Filtones Choir

Come and exercise your lungs and meet new friends every Wednesday afternoon from 1.45-3.45 at St Teresa’s Community Rooms (behind the Church) 71 Gloucester Road North, BS34 7PL. We sing four-part harmony, so all voice ranges are welcome and there are no auditions. Contact Dot on 0117 9690654 or 07870 984760 or Janet on 0117 9241534 or email dorothy.bryant@ btinternet.com We’ll be delighted to talk to you.

What's on in Filton ... email shane@filtonvoice.co.uk

Ebenezer Church

Mondays

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST

9AM – 10:30AM

Simple breakfast of croissant or pain au chocolat, cereal, toast and hot drinks for £1.50. Toys available for pre-school children.

Wednesdays

FOOTPRINTS 2PM – 3:30PM

Group for senior citizens in our local community, with meals, activities and special events - www.ebe.org.uk/

footprints

Thursdays

TASTE CAFÉ 10:30AM – 12:30PM

Drop-in community cafe with affordable homemade cakes, lunches, etc.

FOODBANK OUTLET 1PM – 3PM

If you are at a crisis point and struggling with food, then please contact the foodbank about getting support - call 0117 472 5172.

Fridays

COMMUNITY BREAKFAST 9AM –10:30AM

Simple breakfast of bacon butty, cereal, toast and hot drinks for £1.50.

Toys available for pre-school children.

AFTER SCHOOL HANGOUT 3:30PM

– 5PM

Different zones with crafts, games, books, homework space and a free meal.

For families with primary school aged children. Sign up each week herewww.ebe.org.uk/afterschoolhangout

Speedquiz Night

Friday 31st March. For details go to www.ebe.org.uk/speedquiznight

Regular updates and details of other local warm welcoming spaces - www.ebe.org.uk/ welcomingspace or contact Ebenezer Church Office on 0117 9791399

Concord Wind Band

We are a friendly, mixed ability band, playing music for fun. We rehearse at the Beechwood Club, Beechwood Rd, Fishponds, Bristol. BS16 3T every Friday 7.30pm to 9.30pm, with a tea break. We welcome new members. Contact Jayne on 07880724948

Filton Bookworms

Are you interested in joining a reading group? Come along to the Bookworms monthly reading group at Filton Library!

1st Monday of each month 5:45pm -6:45pm If you are interested in Joining, please as inside the library.

Phone: 01454 868006 or Email: Filton. library@southglos.gov.uk

Filton historical group

Programme of talks 2023

Wednesday 29 March - 7.30 pm 'The Great Exhibition of 1851' - John Stennard

Wednesday 26 April - 7.30 pm AGM plus - 'The Myths & Legends of Sabrina, Goddess of the River Severn' - Nicola Haasz 'Lothlorian'

These talks will be held in St. Andrews Church, Elm Park, Filton. All talks will start at 7.30 pm. There is plenty of free parking available in the adjacent Church car park.

Please note that the February talk is different from that originally planned. Guests (or those who wish only to come to selected talks) will be asked to pay £5 per session. Please pass the information on these talks to anyone you feel might be interested. We welcome all comers, especially new members.

The venue is very spacious, but in order to be careful, we ask that anyone who is feeling unwell, has covid, or has recently been in touch with anyone with the virus, should not attend.

Bristol Male Voice Choir

Always been keen to sing? Come along to our rehearsal nights, 7pm - 9.15pm on Thursdays in St Andrew's Church, Elm Park, Filton, BS34 7PS. No need to read music, no audition, just a voice test to establish whether you are tenor, baritone of bass. We cover many musical styles, enjoy singing in a great social vibe as we prepare for our regular concerts in local and national venues. From the Beatles to Mozart, from classical choruses to classic pop. Ffi : www.bristolmvc. org.uk; Facebook; or contact Steve: secretary@bristolmvc. org.uk; or ring 07776447699; or 07587143220

Filton Garden Club

We meet at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month, (except January). We are a very friendly club & welcome new members. If you enjoy interesting talks & slideshows on various aspects of gardens, plants etc., & daytrips to gardens of interest, please come along & join us. We meet at St. Andrew's Church, Elm Park Filton, Bristol BS34 7PS

Dance Moves keep fit

Tuesday, 2-3pm at St Peter's Church Have fun whilst improving your general wellbeing. Suitable for all ages. For further information, contact Eileen Scott, Tel. 07969929733/ email scottyartois@ hotmail.com

North Avon Speakers Club

We are a public speaking group associated with Toastmasters International. We usually meet every

first and third Thursday of the month, at BAWA Filton, between 7:15pm and 9:30pm. Currently we have both types of meetings, 'In Person Only' meetings and

'Hybrid' which allows people to join in online via Zoom. Email: northavontm@ gmail.com for more details.

ST ANDREW’S METHODIST CHURCH, ELM PARK, FILTON

SATURDAY

11th MAR 2023

3.30 – 5.15pm

Crafts, fun and food for all the family

Come and join us

Entry is FREE!

** Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times **

NHS in Bristol region faced ‘horrific winter’ with almost three-hour ambulance waits

People in Filton and Horfield using the NHS faced a “horrific winter” with almost three-hour ambulance waits in December for strokes and chest pains. Local health bosses thanked staff for their “amazing work” during a month which saw high levels of infection and industrial action.

In December, almost half of people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire phoning 111 abandoned their calls. Meanwhile, calls to 999 were answered on average after 126 seconds; and 2,003 patients waited in the emergency department for over 12 hours.

Updates on winter pressures were given to the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) on Thursday, February 2. As well as striking staff, there were high levels of infectious diseases like influenza, Covid-19 and norovirus.

Average ambulance response times for category two calls — which include people suffering strokes or chest pains — were 169 minutes in the Bristol region in December. However, health bosses said pressures eased off last month, with statistics starting to improve.

Shane Devlin, ICB chief executive, said: “I need to put on record the absolutely amazing work that has been done to deal with a truly horrific winter, in terms of demand, industrial action, and the levels of infection in the community and our hospitals. December was truly extraordinary; but January has been a different month, where we’ve found ourselves in a different place.”

Members of the public are also being urged to help the local health service by getting vaccinated and using the

right service for their needs. Covid-19 boosters ended in February, according to a spokesperson from the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire ICB.

The spokesperson said: “Winter is always a challenging time for health and care services, but December pressures were significant with high Covid-19 and flu admissions as well as high attendances in-relation to Strep A and other winter illnesses.

“Our extremely dedicated staff across health and care did an extraordinary job and we thank them for their continued commitment.

“If you think you need help, please speak to your pharmacist, contact your GP or, if it’s urgent, contact NHS 111 online to get assessed and directed to the best service for your needs.”

Stones Grass Cutting Service

To

month, contact Rich on 0777 555 0607

As the damage to nature becomes more visible, saving wildlife has never been more important.

Our plans for a new Bristol Zoo at our 136 acre Wild Place Project site, just 20 minutes from the centre of Bristol, will set the standard for a forward-looking zoo. Home to some of the world’s most threatened species, living in spaces that better reflect their natural habitats, our new zoo will reflect the vital conservation work we do around the world.

We’re a conservation charity and every penny we raise will support our missionWe’re saving wildlife together with the people of Bristol.

Be home to some of the world’s most threatened species

We direct 14 field conservation projects with 31 local partner organisations that conserve and protect some of the world’s most threatened species.

Inspire current and future generations to value and protect wildlife

In 2023 we will engage over 15,000 children through our education sessions. By 2035, we aim to inspire over 90,000 school children and teach 600 higher education students per year.

“I became a trustee of Bristol Zoological Society because I believe its new direction will help tackle the extinction crisis. By focusing on animals that are most in need of conservation, moving to the larger Wild Place Project site, and taking the difficult decision to close Bristol Zoo Gardens, the charity is doing the right thing. It is focusing on how best to save wildlife together – now and into the future.”

Director

Jane Smart,

of the Global Species Programme International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Local elections in South Glos

Make sure you vote

Local elections will be held in South Gloucestershire on Thursday 4 May this year, for all 61 district councillors for 28 district wards, that make up South Gloucestershire Council, as well as 492 councillors for 50 town and parish councils. This includes deciding on the representatives for the newly created parish councils for Charlton Hayes, Stoke Park and Cheswick, and Staple Hill and Mangotsfield, along with the new town council for Kingswood.

Make sure you vote to have your say in how your local area is run.

Registering to vote

To vote in the May local elections, you will need to make sure you have registered to vote by the 17 April deadline.

You can register to vote on the GOV.UK website or contact the council by emailing electoral.services@southglos.gov.uk, calling 01454 863030 or visiting one of the council’s One Stop Shops where you can get a copy of the form to register or help from the customer service team.  Find out more on the council’s website southglos.gov.uk/vote

Did you know you now need photo ID

You will need to show photo identification (ID) when voting at a polling station. This is a new government requirement which will affect the South Glos local elections in May. Lots of photo IDs are acceptable, including some passports, driving licences, blue badges, and some bus passes. Check the full list of acceptable photo ID on our website. If you haven’t got one of these, or you no longer look like the photo on your ID, or the name on your photo ID is different to your name on the electoral register, you can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate. You will need to do this by the 25 April deadline. You can apply for the certificate using the government portal.

Alternatively, the council can help you apply in person at its Badminton Road offices where someone can take your photograph and submit your application online for you. Call 01454

to vote?

863030 to make an appointment which will be during normal office hours. Find out more about Voter ID on the council’s elections and voting webpages southglos.gov.uk/vote.

up to date

Postal votes

If you cannot get to the polling station on 4 May or if it is more convenient, you can apply to vote by post. Anyone can apply for a postal vote, but you need to apply before 18 April. You won’t have to provide voter ID unless you have lost your postal vote and need to be issued with a new one. You will need to complete an application form on the Electoral Commission page. Postal votes can be sent to your home address or to any other address where you’ll be staying on the day of the election, including abroad.   We can’t guarantee timings of post sent abroad so you may wish to register to vote by proxy so someone else can vote on your behalf. Find out more about postal and proxy votes at southglos. gov.uk/vote.

Could you be a councillor?

Why not stand as a councillor in South Gloucestershire? It’s varied, highly fulfilling and a great way to make a real difference, whether by supporting individual residents with issues or helping your local community by driving new ideas. You could represent local people’s views on a whole range of things from planning applications through to local services. People from all backgrounds and experiences who can reflect their communities are needed.

You do not have to be a member of a political party to stand for election - you can also be an independent councillor. Councillors receive training so you will receive plenty of support. You will be paid an allowance and you can work flexibly. There are a number of eligibility criteria that need to be met by anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for South Gloucestershire Council or one of the area’s parish and town

councils. Anyone wishing to stand for election must submit a nomination by 4pm on 4 April. Details and guidance on standing for election and nomination papers can be found on the Electoral Commission website.

For more information on standing for election call 01454 863030, email electoral.services@ southglos.gov.uk or write to Electoral Registration, PO Box 1953, Badminton Road, Bristol, BS37 0DB.

Difficulties paying bills? Your council can help

Many people are worried about the rising cost of living and prices, in particular energy bills. If you are struggling to pay your bills, you may be able to get help from your council. It is allocating a further £500,000 to help people with the cost-of-living crisis.

The council’s support includes grants to help with energy, other household bills and home insulation. It can help if you are having difficulties paying council tax. And your child may be able to get free school meals if you are on certain benefits.

If you would like to talk to the council and check what financial support may be available for you, call its freephone helpline 0800 953 7778 (open 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am to 4.30pm Friday). Alternatively, you can book an appointment at one of the One Stop Shops by emailing OSSAppointments@southglos.gov.uk. There is also lots of information on the council’s help with the cost-of-living webpage southglos.gov.uk/CostofLiving.