Author: WhitchurchVillage

People looking forward to celebrating Bonfire Night this year are being asked to consider reducing the impact of fireworks to avoid scaring animals and vulnerable residents. Bath & NorthEast Somerset Council is highlighting the RSPCA’s concerns about the effect of fireworks on animals and is raising awareness of its campaign #BangOutOfOrder, which aims to minimise the effects of fireworks on animal welfare. Unpredictable, loud noises can cause fear and distress to animals and debris from fireworks can also pose a hazard to horses and livestock when left on the ground. Fireworks can also affect older people, children with autism and people with conditions such as PTSD. Bath & NorthEast Somerset Council passed a motion in 2021 that recommends that all public firework displays within the area are advertised in advance so that people can take precautions for themselves and their animals. As a result of the motion, the council is raising awareness of the impact of fireworks on animals and people and is asking residents to choose less noisy fireworks when buying ahead of Bonfire Night. The council also resolved to write to the Local Government Association to lobby for a limit to the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays. Bath & NorthEast Somerset Council’s trading standards team is also advising retailers of the risks by sharing information when they inspect premises that sell fireworks. Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Planning and Licensing, said: “We are not trying to spoil anyone’s fun, but the fear and distress that fireworks can cause for people and animals is a significant concern. The RSPCA believes there is a real need to raise awareness among owners of animals about phobia of fireworks and as a council we wholeheartedly support this. Bath & NorthEast Somerset Council are also pressing the Government to better regulate fireworks by limiting the noise level for those used in public displays to 90dB. “It’s also not to be underestimated how much anxiety fireworks can cause for vulnerable people in our community who are sensitive to loud and unexpected sounds. If you are buying fireworks, please consider the type that are designed to be less noisy.” You can read more about the council’s advice on fireworks here More information on pets and fireworks can be found on the RSPCA website here.

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Whitchurch Village Council were delighted to present their annual grant awards at the recent council meeting.

Grants were given to Whitchurch Cricket Club Youth Section, St Nicholas Pre-School and 107^th Bristol (Whitchurch) Scout Group.

The Chairman thanked the representatives for attending and all their hard work in running the valuable groups in the Village.

Click here for full details of the awards given

We have been made aware of some upcoming works at the the junction of The Witheys and A37 Bristol Road between 22/10/2022 – 23/10/2022.

These works are being carried out by Wales and West Utilities to install a new gas service.

Due to the location of these works and the requirement of temporary traffic signals for safety reasons the works have been scheduled in for weekend working only.

Wales and West Utilities will use multi way temporary traffic signals with a synchronised temporary pedestrian crossing as the permanent crossing will need to be switched off due to its close proximity to the works. We understand that these works are very likely to cause delays however have concluded this type of traffic management option will be the most practical and least disruptive option.

Wales and West Utilities have been instructed to manually control the temporary traffic signals from 07:00 – 21:00 hours both days with priority given to A37 unless vehicles are waiting to exit The Witheys.  They have also confirmed that the works will be complete and site cleared as soon as possible and are aware that they must be completed by the end of Sunday 23/10/2022.

They have also confirmed that they will be placing out advanced information boards and letter dropping residents and shop frontages.

Whilst we respectfully remember the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and feel sorrow at her departure, we send our warmest wishes to King Charles III on his accession to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will take place on Monday 19th September 2022 at 11am.

Full details can be found be following this linkhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60617519

It is with great sadness that Whitchurch Village Council have learnt of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

We trust the residents of Whitchurch Village would like to join us in extending our sincere condolences to the whole Royal Family at this very sad time for us all.

We recognise that many people will want to express their sadness at the passing of HM The Queen in their own way.

Floral tributes may be placed at Whitchurch and Pensford Royal British Legion, Staunton Lane, in the Remembrance Garden where the Union Flag is flying at half-mast.

A Book of Condolence will be opened in Whitchurch and Pensford Legion for anyone who wishes to pay their respects from Saturday 10th September 2022. The Legion is open on Saturday and Sunday all day from 8.30am, Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 3pm and 7.30pm to 11pm and again on Friday all day from 8.30am.

We would also direct residents to the online Book of Condolence organised by Buckingham Palace https://www.royal.uk/
Further details are available on Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Website https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/hm-queen-elizabeth-ii

Low-income households without gas heating will be able to apply for funding to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Bath and North East Somerset Council has partnered with Bristol City Council and North Somerset Council to secure £2.7m funding through the government’s Home Upgrade Grant.

Eligible households will receive funding and support to install a range of energy saving and low carbon technologies including loft, underfloor and wall insulation, air source heat pump central heating systems and solar panels.

Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel said: “With the cost of energy rising so sharply, it’s important to improve the energy efficiency of our homes to try to reduce bills. There are a range of options open to eligible homeowners to improve home energy performance and the measures that could be installed would be long term solutions, fit for the net zero future.”

Households that do not use gas central heating may be entitled to receive up to £25,000 of funding.

To be eligible for the scheme you must have:

• a combined annual household income of less than £30,000 per year
• an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G
• electric or non-gas fossil fuel heating source such as oil or coal.
• live in the B&NES area
• be the owner, landlord or private rented tenant of the property

The scheme will be administered by Bristol City Council’s Energy Service.

Interested residents will need to complete the short registration form online and one of the team will be in touch to confirm your eligibility for the funding and to discuss the next steps.

If you have any questions about the scheme, you can contact the team directly by calling 0117 352 1180 or by emailing domestic@energyservicebristol.co.uk.

Homeowners without an EPC certificate can apply. If you are eligible for funding an EPC can be arranged ahead of the installation.

More information about the Bright Green Homes funding and a link to the questionnaire can be found on the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s  Energy at Home website.

Bath and West Community Energy are also promoting Bright Green Homes through their networks and running engagement activities.

This is one of a number of energy-related home improvement and grant and loan schemes that are available to B&NES residents. More information can be found on the Energy at Home website.

You can find wider information about other types of help and support on the Community Wellbeing Hub website or by calling 0300 247 0050.

A fun and sociable exercise class that provides everything needed to achieve a good level of fitness, mobility and balance.

This is more than ‘just-another-exercise-class’. Suitable for any level of fitness.

The class is held at Whitchurch Community Village Hall Every Tuesdays from 10 – 11am

Kate Davies holds a Distinction in Exercise & Health studies from the University of Bristol, plus many advanced teaching diplomas. She has 40 years of teaching experience and has taught the young/old, fit/unfit, injured and disabled. Any queries : 07771 907175

We want to thank everyone who took part in the Liveable Neighbourhood co-development workshop for the Whitchurch Village and Queen Charlton area and inform you of an important event in August where you can view the output from the workshop and share your opinion on a proposed through-traffic restriction trial .

Workshop outcomes and exhibition

We have enjoyed gathering people’s ideas and working with communities to start developing more inclusive and accessible neighbourhoods. We are now preparing a report, highlighting all the ideas expressed at the workshop for the Whitchurch Village and Queen Charlton area. 

We’ll be inviting your opinion on what measures from this ‘longlist’ of ideas should be shortlisted for preliminary design. Now we have your wider views, we’ll also now be asking you to focus back on the original application area. You can give your feedback at an exhibition this August where the ideas will be showcased. When we draw up the shortlist for preliminary design, we will also consider costs, timescales and other practicalities.

You are welcome to come to the exhibition whether you attended the earlier workshop or not. Friends and family are also welcome. Please see details of the event below. 

If you can’t make the exhibition, you’re welcome to view the workshop output report online from mid-August and to email liveableneighbourhood@bathnes.gov.uk with your comments. There will also be several other opportunities to have your say on the designs in due course.

Share your opinion on a through-traffic restriction proposal

At the event we’ll also be asking opinions on a through-traffic restriction trial in Queen Charlton Lane which, if supported, would start this autumn.

It’s one of four schemes across the area that are being trialled ahead of the wider Liveable Neighbourhoods programme. This is because levels of support for it are already high among residents who responded to earlier surveys. The purpose of this engagement is to check how the wider community feels before we proceed. For details of the proposal and to complete a survey, go to www.bathnes.gov.uk/queencharltonpilot

Event details

The workshop exhibition and public engagement on the proposal for Queen Charlton Lane through-traffic restriction is on 17 August 2022 at Queen Charlton Village Hall between 4pm and 8pm. This is a drop-in event, open to the public.

If you have a question or need support to access the event, please email liveableneighbourhoods@bathnes.gov.uk or call Council Connect on 01225 39 40 41. 

Yours faithfully,

The Liveable Neighbourhoods Team