Health and safety advice for small businesses

South Glos Council and its partners are inviting small businesses on three Yate trading estates to sign up for free health and safety training and advice as part of a national scheme to reduce workplace accidents.

The Estates Excellence scheme brings together local businesses and other organisations including councils to offer free health and safety assessments and training to eligible firms. Unlike other initiatives it is entirely voluntary, with a strong emphasis on helping small businesses to help themselves.

The Yate scheme takes place during February and March with participants offered free ‘bite-size’ training sessions on a range of health and safety topics, a free occupational health assessment and a month’s free access to the Praxis 42 health and safety e-learning facility.

The scheme is being delivered by partners including the Health & Safety Executive, South Gloucestershire Council, Indesit, Sodbury Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Business, Avon Fire & Rescue and others.

South Gloucestershire Council vice-chairman Cllr Howard Gawler said: “Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy in South Gloucestershire and provide jobs for many local people.

“However due to their size they can find it difficult to recover from the effects of a workplace accident.

“Productivity can drop and in some cases they may close but never re-open, with a loss of jobs for local people and knock-on effects for the whole community.

“So for small businesses in particular, good health and safety makes good business sense. This scheme will give them a helping hand towards the training and information they may need and I hope lots of our local firms will get involved.”

Council seeking views on sale of trading estate land

South Glos Council is seeking views on the possible disposal of land at Culvert Avenue on the Badminton Road Trading Estate.

It was was originally acquired by the then local council to construct a road but has been unused for many years. There has been recent interest from the adjoining owner so the council would like to hear your comments on the future of this site. A report on it will then be prepared with a recommendation as to whether, and how, it should be retained or disposed of. You can find out more on the South Glos website. The deadline for comments is 27th February.

Waiting restriction review

South Glos Council is planning to change the waiting restrictions on the roads on and around the trading estates on the edge of Yate. This includes a residents parking permit scheme outside the rank of cottages on North Road. You can find out more and comment on the South Glos website - the deadline for comments is 20th February.

National Voter Registration Day

Wednesday 5th February was the first ever National Voter Registration Day. The organisers, Bite the Ballot, are particularly encouraging young people to add their name to the electoral register. Although you must be 18 to vote, anyone aged 16 or above can register. Young people aged between 16 and 24 are currently the most under-represented age group on the electoral register.

As well as giving you a say in how you are governed, locally, nationally and at European level, being registered is important because it can help when applying for a student loan, opening a bank account, or buying a mobile phone – in fact anything to do with finance. Lenders use the electoral register to investigate potential borrowers, so once you are on the list credit reference agencies will be able to verify who you are.

Following a Lib Dem council motion, South Glos Council has been working with local schools on a special campaign to encourage young people to register for their vote. Since it started, the number of young people registered has increased. More information on how to register is available on the South Glos website.

Hilly Field path back in action

On Tuesday, just five working days after the work started to restore the path across Hilly Field, it was finished, in time for the end of the school day. Pupils from Winterbourne International Academy can now cycle down the newly relayed path without needing to plough through deep mud.

Celebrate National Libraries Day

This Saturday, 8th February, is National Libraries Day. You can find out more about the events taking place on the South Glos website.

Bus fare consultation

First Bus have started a consultation on fares, which runs until 16th March. More information about the consultation can be found at www.fairerfaresforall.co.uk and hard copy questionnaires will be available on buses, in libraries, in council one-stop-shops and in First’s own travel shops. There will also be a series of roadshows.