Jos And Andrew Report On

Jos and Andrew report on: Callington Nature Reserve

CIL funding update:

Thank you to Penny at Greater Brislington Together for organising this year’s public meetings, one online and one in person, to discuss the bids for Community Infrastructure Levy funding, the money developers pay to the council to offset the environmental impact of their developments. Thank you also to members of the public, who attended the meetings, asked questions and voted on the different proposals. By far and away the most popular bid was for road safety improvements along Wick Road and Newbridge Road. According to data collected by the local community speedwatch team, this is the worst road in Bristol for speeding. Last year, we joined the speedwatch team on one of their regular sessions and we saw first hand the regularity of speeding in this location. We have also had meetings with local residents and the police about this issue so we are happy to support this bid’s progress to the next stage of the CIL process. Other popular bids included a school street for Eton Road to encourage safe, active travel journeys for children at Holymead School on Wick Road, ecological and recreational enhancements at Arnos Court Park, a new multipurpose games area for Eastwood Park and new changing facilities at Brislington Cricket Club. Unfortunately, funding is limited and it is unlikely all these projects will get the go ahead. However, there are alternative potential sources of funding, which we shall be pursuing. 26

City Motors redevelopment:

Local residents will be aware that Sovereign Housing Association recently acquired a large site in Brislington West, currently occupied by City Motors. We have had a me eting with Sovereign about their proposals for the site and will hopefully be in a position to share more information as soon as possible. You can read more about the deal here: https://www.bristolworld.com/.../ housing-association...

John Peer latest: We have received an update on the continuing saga of the long-derelict John Peer site on the A4 opposite Arnos Court Park. Residents may remember the plans were rejected by Bristol city councillors at a planning committee meeting two years ago. The developers submitted an appeal and a date has finally been set. The appeal hearing is to be heard on 31 August with a decision expected by the end of September.

Callington Nature Reserve update:

We have reported the damaged railing around the pond at Callington Road nature reserve to the council. It was damaged by vandals chucking the owl sculpture into the pond last year! The owl was safely returned to it’s perch but the railings were never repaired.

The council have promised to get it done shortly. Also, a reminder to dog walkers to keep your dogs on a lead in the upper section of the reserve to protect the abundance of wildlife in that area. Dogs are permitted off the lead in the lower section.

Hartcliffe Way recycling centre opens: The Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre opens at 9am on Tuesday 21 June. You will need to book to use the new facility! www.bristol.gov.uk/bookrecycling or call 0117 922 2100

As well as recycling bays, the centre has a new Reuse Shop that’s already filling up with furniture and electricals. There’s also a pedestrian route and cycle path around the site so you can visit by car, by bike or on foot.

Holiday Hub:

Families can now find free and paid for school holiday activities via https://www. yourholidayhubbristol.co.uk

The popular YHH programme is returning this summer offering children and young people hundreds of free, fun activities across Bristol over the six-week summer holiday. A new website now makes it easier for families to search for school holiday activities - including free YHH places for children on free school meals (FSM) as well as paid for activities and clubs. All of the holiday activities available across Bristol can be found on the website and conveniently searched by location, age or activity. Funded by the UK Government Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme, thousands of Bristol children and young people have already accessed the programme over the Easter holiday. We aim to reach many more children and young people over the summer with thousands of YHH places available. YHH activities include cookery classes, sports, drama and learning about wildlife and the environment, and each four-hour holiday activity also includes a nutritious meal and food education. Eligible children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or an education, health and care plan are welcome at YHH. Families can contact the organisation or session they would like to attend to discuss their child’s individual needs.

Trees for Streets:

Bristol City Council has partnered with Trees for Streets to make it easier for residents, organisations and businesses to fund tree planting in streets and parks across the city. Both the Bristol Street Tree Sponsorship Scheme and Celebration Tree Scheme offer you an opportunity to make your city a greener environment. You can choose to sponsor a Street Tree in a pre-selected location, suggest a location outside your house, or sponsor a Celebration Tree in one of Bristol’s beautiful parks or green spaces. This is just one of a number of strategies the council is using to plant more trees in local streets, parks and green spaces, to help reduce air pollution, provide cooling benefits, absorb carbon, bring us closer to nature, improve our mental and physical wellbeing, and generally make Bristol an even better place to live. More details here. And an article here

Keeping in touch:

We believe in keeping residents up-to-date on local issues and publish a quarterly newsletter, ‘Focus on Brislington West’, whic h is delivered to every household across the ward. Hundreds of local residents have also signed up for our monthly eFocus which we deliver via email. If you would like to receive it, please register using this link: http://www. bristollibdems.org/efocus. You can see back copies of our newsletters and complete our online surveys on our website: https:// www.bristollibdems.org/brislington_west. We write a weekly article for the community magazine, Direct Local, and regularly post updates on the Brislington community Facebook pages. You can follow us on our own social media pages: Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/BrislingtonLibDems/ Twitter: @BrisLibDems @AndrewJVarney @ josclark6 Instagram: Brislington Lib Dems

Cllr. Jos Clark and Cllr. Andrew Varney cllr. jos.clark@bristol.gov.uk 07584 370429

cllr.andrew.varney@bristol.gov.uk 07584 183381 — with Jos Clark in Brislington West.