Get involved in improving health services

Do you receive health or social care in South Glos? Do you want to help make the services better? Then why not join the LINk (Local Improvement Network)? The next meeting is taking place in Westerleigh village hall on Monday 3rd August from 2pm to 4pm. There will be a short talk from the Independent Complaints and Advocacy Service. For more information ring Sarah Booker on 0117 9589351 or 0117 9589349.

Latest swine flu advice from Council

You can read the latest swine flu advice from South Glos Council on their website. In particular, they stress that if you need anti-viral medication, rather than go out yourself and risk spreading the illness to other people, including health professionals, you should ask a "flu friend" to collect the medication on your behalf.

If you have children, you can find the latest information about schools, nurseries, pre-schools, children's centres and other services online.

The safe way to dispose of energy-saving light bulbs

Did you know, energy saving lightbulbs should not be put in your black bin? Instead, save them up for your next trip to the nearest Sort It centre, where they will be treated as hazardous waste.

Reminder - put First Bus on the spot

If you want to put First Bus on the spot about local services, get along to Thornbury Council offices at 3pm this Wednesday (22 July). Representatives of the bus company will be attending the Planning, Transportation and the Strategic Environment select committee and members of the public can ask questions or hand in petitions.

Yate library latest

It looks like the refurbishment of Yate library may be finished ahead of schedule, with Monday 19th October pencilled in for the re-opening.

The library closed last October and the service has been operating from 23 South Parade in Yate Shopping Centre. There won't be room to run the usual summer holiday activities in these temporary premises but there will be activities at other libraries including Chipping Sodbury, Emerson's Green and Winterbourne.

Put First Bus on the spot

Later this month, you have the chance to put questions to representatives of First Bus.

Jenny MacLeod, Operations Director, and Simon Cursio, Commercial Director, are attending the Planning, Transportation and Strategic Environment Select Committee on 22 July to respond to councillors’ questions and concerns.

Pat Hockey, who chairs the committee, said, "Members of the public are always welcome to attend our select committee meetings, to raise issues, ask questions or present petitions. If you can't make it along yourself, you can contact your local councillor and ask them to raise questions on your behalf".

The meeting will be held at 3pm on 22 July, in the Council Chamber, the Council Offices, Castle Street, Thornbury. If you would like to speak, please contact Gordon Moss on 01454 86 3014.

Reminder - deadline for comments on latest sites

If you want to make comments on the latest round of Gypsy and Traveller sites, you only have until Monday to do so. You can find out more on the South Glos website.

One of the seven extra sites, the land at Little Acre, Dyers Lane, Iron Acton, has now been withdrawn by the landowner. The remaining six are:

New sites

1. Land at Tanhouse Lane, Yate – Proposal is for 10 residential pitches and 2 transit pitches.

Existing Gypsy and Traveller Sites

2. Moor Paddock, Westerleigh Road, Westerleigh – Proposal is for an additional 3 residential pitches and 1 transit pitch.
3. 56 Ram Hill, Coalpit Heath – Proposal is for 1 additional residential pitch.
4. Giddy End, High Lane, Winterbourne - Proposal is for 1 additional residential pitch.
5. The Meadows, Parkfield, Pucklechurch - Proposal is for 1 additional residential pitch.
6. 85a Parkfield Road, Pucklechurch - Proposal is for an additional 1 - 2 residential pitches.

Speeding in Codrington

In June, the interactive "Speedvisor" sign made a return visit to Codrington. As more than one in seven drivers was exceeding 46mph in the 40 limit, the sign will be re-installed at a later date and the police have been informed of the results.

Traffic lights at Westerleigh

On Wednesday 8th July there will be traffic lights at the railway bridge on Westerleigh Road at Westerleigh to enable the bridge to be inspected.

Roadworks - Badminton Road near viaduct

There will be temporary traffic lights on the A432 Badminton Road near the railway viaduct on 7th July to allow tree work to be carried out.