n NEWS FROM LOCAL COUNCILLORS

ALL major developments are obliged to provide funding to the Council to invest in the local community, known as the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). A proportion of this money is available for projects across the area suggested by you, the local resident.

Applications for previous years’ CIL projects now in the pipeline to be built include a Zebra crossing across St Luke’s Road, a new swing for Victoria Park, several trees in front of Victoria Park School on St Johns Lane and improvements to the land on ‘Zone A’ on the Wells Road.

Having worked hard to support it, we are excited that Victoria Park is getting a new skate park, as well as a new outdoor gym, both part-funded by CIL. These projects, proposed by residents, have been accepted by the council, who will now allocate funding and work should be starting soon. Are there other improvements you’d like to see in the ward?

Please contact us directly with your ideas. We will also be arranging community meetings in collaboration with Action for Greater Bedminster – keep an eye on their website for details: actiongreaterbedminster.org.uk. We can use these meetings to help develop your ideas and assist with the application process.

Projects must aim to improve the local area, our parks, green spaces or streets and use capital funding, so they can’t cover ongoing costs like wages and should result in a physical change to the environment.

If you have ideas please get in touch: Cllr.Ed.Plowden@bristol. gov.uk and Cllr.Lisa.Stone@bristol. gov.uk

AS part of national plans to address air pollution, as of February this year it’s no longer legal to burn certain types of polluting fuels such as coal and wet wood. Wood burning stoves and coal fires are a major source of the pollutant ‘PM2.5’ which is linked to serious health problems – particularly among children. Alternatives – solid fuel and dry wood – are now the only legal fuel sources for domestic open fires, not only do these produce less local and domestic air pollution, they are also much cheaper. The last few years has seen an increase in the use of domestic stoves and fires in our ward, so we encourage people to check that the fuel they are using complies with the new legislation.

Residents are reminded that cost of living support has been extended by central government for certain households on low incomes, as well as those in receipt of some benefits including older residents entitled to the winter fuel allowance. It is not necessary for residents to make claims for additional support but if you or someone you know is struggling at this time then please do get in touch with us. Useful information is available online at bristol.gov.uk/residents/peopleand-communities/cost-of-livingsupport

There are also further discretionary funds available from the council that people may be entitled to so please do ask and we will work with you to ensure all the benefits you or the person you know can access all the help you need during this difficult period.

IT has been well documented over a long period that our Labour mayor has done everything possible to undermine Jubilee Pool and its excellent community management team. Another blot on his copybook at budget full council when he not only got his own party to vote against a small public health grant and an interest charged loan to do a vital improvement, but managed to persuade the Green Party to switch speakers and move their voting stance to against. They should of course have not turned tail but fortunately the pool management team is strong and the pool is thriving despite energy prices. The sheer brazen cheek of the mayor then claiming on line to be supporting pools including jubilee produced a fast and furious online response.

Our other budget amendment fared better with unanimous support from councillors to return the local parks funds (£57,000) that had been spirited away by guess who.

Parks supporters’ celebrations were interrupted as the long delayed asset transfer of the community garden was marred by a ridiculous rent demand of eight times the gardens net profit. A coordinated response using full council questions to the mayor seems to have scuppered that particular piece of vandalism and a sensible negotiation started. Sheer lack of understanding of community value.

The Redcatch Pavillion is fast becoming a not very funny joke. Over two years ago, the garden and our local football club asked to take over the derelict shed to do up and use as quality changing rooms. Not only have the council failed to respond despite regular chasing but it now emerges that the council spends £6,000 a year on 24/7 heating of the empty shed. You really could not make it up.

I HAVE contacted both the Metro Mayor and local Managing Director of First Bus about the axing of the number 23 bus service from April. This is part of bus service reductions across the Bristol area leaving some communities without any bus service. If a conventional bus cannot be funded, then another option, such as an on-demand service should be investigated. While the 24 and M2 services have stops nearby, getting to them can be challenging for elderly people or those with mobility issues.

I have joined other councillors in CPR and defibrillator training organised by the Great Western Air Ambulance Trust. Bristol Council has recently voted to encourage many more publicly accessible defibrillators to be installed. There is a finder to locate available defibrillators nearby which can be found online.

Each device costs around £1,500 and needs both a commitment to install it (if not a public building) as well as upkeep. I am keen to get several more installed in Bedminster Ward and anyone with proposals about locations or fundraising are welcome to contact me.

I am dealing with much casework now and Bedminster Ward constituents are asked to contact me by email/phone/ post/Facebook and I will do my best to assist – and to meet if that is necessary. My main contact details are cllr.mark. bradshaw@bristol.gov.uk and 0117 353 3160 and on Facebook: @ CouncillorMarkforBedminster