Update from local councillor Mike Davies St Pauls Planning Group For the time I remain a councillor (until 6 May 2021) I am facilitating a St Pauls planning group over Zoom. The group will review live planning applications and, if appropriate, submit comments on the planning portal or statements to Development Control Committee meetings. Get in touch (cllr.mike.davies@ bristol.gov.uk) if you are interested in getting involved in the group. The next meeting of the group is at 6.00pm on Monday 4 January. Transport Schemes in our area Bristol City Council are progressing with plans to accelerate existing long-term transport ambitions to improve infrastructure around walking, cycling and public transport, including in Ashley ward. There have already been cycle lanes introduced in parts of Mina Road (north of the James Street roundabout) and Stokes Croft. The next stage will involve consultation around possible measures in Picton Street and Mina Road (south of the roundabout). For Picton Street there is an opportunity for a radical option such as full pedestrianisation. Mina Road is more difficult because it is very well-used and is needed to access so many roads, but one measure that could be implemented is closing the exit onto it from the M32. If you have any thoughts about these issues please email transport.engagement@bristol.gov.uk. If you have any other suggestions for transport changes, please use the Council’s transport request form: bit.ly/3hcjjSj (they are accepting submissions until 31 December). Council budget consultation The Council wants to know what you think about proposed changes to council tax as part of its annual budget setting for the next financial year. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Council’s finances and seen many more people needing its support with council tax, business rates, business grants, providing food packages to people in need, food vouchers to children, as well as emergency accommodation and homelessness. The Council says it will aim to avoid cutting any essential services. However, council tax may need to increase by a small amount to make sure these services can continue to run. Visit bit.ly/3pHhane to complete the consultation before the closing date of 28 December. Information can be provided in an alternative format, including paper copy, by emailing consultation@bristol.gov.uk or by calling 0117 9222848. Council meetings The Council are still conducting official meetings via videoconferencing, and you can watch these live on their official Youtube channel (bit.ly/35HSFOQ). To find out when meetings are happening visit bristol.gov.uk/council-meetings. Members of the public can still submit questions and statements to meetings by emailing Democratic Services (democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk).
Council CONTACTS Your local councillors are available to support residents with queries relating to Bristol City Council services such as planning, adult care children and schools, waste and other community issues. Here’s how you can contact them.
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Cllr Jude English (Green Party) Email: cllr.jude. english@bristol.gov.uk Call: 07584 151 099 Correspondence address: Green Party Office City Hall PO Box 3399 Bristol BS3 9FS
Cllr Mike Davies (Labour Party) Email: cllr.mike.davies@ bristol.gov.uk Call: 07584 370 413 Correspondence address: Labour Group Office City Hall PO Box 3399
Bristol
BS3 9FS
Cllr Carole Johnson (Labour Party) Email: cllr.carole. johnson@bristol.gov.uk Call: 07584 370 414 Correspondence address: c/o Labour Group Office City Hall PO Box 3399 Bristol BS3 9FS
If you have queries about welfare benefits or immigration issues, you can contact your MP Thangam Debbonaire’s team: thangam.debbonaire. mp@parliament.uk; 01173 790 980.
