Children and Youth services consultation - a reminder

Last month we let you know about some drop-in sessions to discuss dramatic changes proposed for South Glos Council's services for children and young people. Don't forget you can find out more about the consultation and make your comments on the Council’s website.

Staff at Fromeside Youth Venue are considering taking over the service there as a charity. If you would be interested in becoming a trustee, contact Charlie Williams on 865736 or email charlotte.williams@southglos.gov.uk.

Broadband survey - thank you!

Thank you to everyone who responded to South Gloucestershire Council's broadband survey (you can see what we wrote about it in December here). You can read the full analysis of the results on the Council's website but the response from Westerleigh ward is very strong, especially when you consider that response mainly came from the relatively small proportion of the population who don't live in Coalpit Heath where the broadband provision is already good.

Thornbury EcoFair

If you are interested in all things eco-friendly, why not attend the Thornbury EcoFair between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 19th May at The Chantry in Castle Street, Thornbury. You can find more information on the Sustainable Thornbury website.

Drop-in to discuss Westerleigh traffic calming proposals

A number of issues were raised during the consultation on the traffic calming proposals for Shorthill Road and Westerleigh Road in Westerleigh. Officers are now going to hold a drop-in session from 5pm-7pm on Monday 14th May in Westerleigh Village Hall so that people can discuss their concerns face-to-face with them.

As well as giving residents a chance to discuss these plans, officers will also bring along the latest plans for the Mangotsfield to Yate cycle path, which will involve other road safety improvements in the village of Westerleigh. You can read more about progress on this on our sister blog.

After the drop-in, officers will stay on to answer questions on the plans at the start of the Annual Parish Meeting.

482/483 bus service changes

The current operator of the 482 and 483 bus services, from Chipping Sodbury to Cribbs Causeway via Coalpit Heath and Frampton Cotterell among others, had announced that they no longer intended to operate the service from 20 May, as the services were no longer commercially viable. Following an emergency tender, Wessex Connect will now run the service for a year with increased journeys in the afternoon peak times.

Capital grants available for community and voluntary groups

South Glos Council's capital grants scheme are now open for bids, with a deadline of 11 June for applications to be submitted.

Voluntary and community groups in South Gloucestershire can apply for help with the cost of capital projects such as buying or enhancing buildings or purchasing new equipment, machinery or vehicles.

A total of £125,000 is available to projects that benefit South Gloucestershire residents, with funding mainly available to smaller projects costing no more than £3,000. Decisions on funding will be made at the Area Forum in September.

Further information on the scheme is available at www.southglos.gov.uk/communitygrants.

Ram Hill Colliery Open Day - Sunday 6th May

The Friends of Ram Hill Colliery are holding an open day from 10am-4.30pm tomorrow (Sunday 6th May). If you would be interested in joining them as a volunteer, why not go along to their AGM on at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th May in the Miner's Institute (Coalpit Heath Village Hall).