Thinking ahead to the Big Spring Clean

There might still be a few days to go to Christmas, but already some people are thinking ahead to spring. The South Gloucestershire Spring Clean will run from 13 February to 14 May. This is a chance for individuals and groups to help clean up our local area by organising or taking part in a litter pick. The national Keep Britain Tidy network will be focusing on the weekend of 2-4 March in particular but you can organise your event at any time in the three months. In fact, as the council has limited equipment to offer, choosing a less popular weekend could be a good idea - as well as booking as far in advance as possible.

To get involved, simply register your event by completing this booking form and send it back to StreetCleansing@southglos.gov.uk - you can find more information on the South Glos website.

Spring Clean 2017

It might seem a little early to be talking about spring, but it's not too soon to sign up for the annual Spring Clean.

You can help clean up your neighbourhood this spring by organising a litter pick. The Spring Clean will run from 18 February to 14 May 2017. South Glos is teaming up with Keep Britain Today's new Great British Spring Clean, which will focus on encouraging events over the weekend of 3rd-5th March. However you can organise an event at any time during the three-month campaign and the council is more likely to be able to lend you equipment if you avoid popular weekends.

To get involved, go to the Spring Clean 2017 page and register your event using the booking form. The council can provide free bin bags, recycling bags and gloves and a limited number of litter pickers and hoops. They can also collect the bags if you can't dispose of them.

Apply now for Big Spring Clean

The South Gloucestershire BIG Spring Clean 2016 runs from 1 March – 30 April 2016.  This is a chance for community groups, Parish Councils and residents to help clean up their neighbourhood and open spaces.

You don't have to in a formal group - you could get together with friends, family or neighbours. Or you might be part of a group that is already taking part in voluntary clean-ups during the year but want to take the opportunity of the BIG Spring Clean to play a part in a bigger campaign.

Free gloves, refuse sacks, litter pickers and hoops are on offer to groups who organise a ‘community’ BIG Spring Clean event, on a first-come-first-served basis. South Glos Council can arrange to collect the bags of litter you pick up. Unfortunately, they are unable to supply skips for the disposal of rubbish.

If your group is organising an event, please register by completing the BIG Spring Clean 2016 Booking Form available from this page and returning it to South Glos Council by 19 February 2016. 

Next Safer Stronger Community Group on 2nd December

The next Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Iron Acton and Coalpit Heath Safer Stronger Community Group meeting will take place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 2nd December at The Brockeridge Centre (Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell BS36 2LQ). Come along and raise local issues of concern to you.

Have your say on how council engages with the community

South Glos Council is reviewing the work of the Community Engagement Team, as part of the further savings it needs to make.

The review is considering a range of options which could significantly change or impact on the following areas:

• Priority Neighbourhoods
• Safer and Stronger Community Groups (SSCGs)
• Town and Parish Council Forum
• Community led planning
• Community speedwatch
• Information exchange

More information is available on the council's website or from local libraries and One Stop Shops.

Could you be a Community First Responder?

Great Western Ambulance Service are looking for volunteers to train as Community First Responders. They are also creating a database of locations of defibrillator machines that are held in the community. If you are aware of one, please contact firstresponder@gwas.nhs.uk. Further information on volunteering can be found on the Great Western Ambulance website.

Support Fromeside Youth Centre

Would you like better youth facilities in the Frampton Cotterell area? Ryan Wood is a young entrepreneur and fund raiser who is trying to get £18,000 towards the Skate Park and Social Enterprise at Fromeside Youth Centre. You can back his idea on "The Stake" website.

Nominate a community hero

Do you know someone in your community whose work deserves to be recognised? If so, go to www.southglos.gov.uk/communityawards before 3 February 2012 to nominate them for a community award. The award winners will be invited to a ceremony at  BAWA, Filton on 29 March 2012.