Please find news updates from South Gloucestershire Council below.
Join the Community Conversation
We will be out and about across the district to speak to you about our budget, waste and recycling, libraries and streetlighting consultations. We also want to hear your views on your neighbourhood and what you would like us to focus on in the coming years. Come along to one of our drop-in sessions:
Thornbury on Monday 6 November, 6pm to 8pm, at Thornbury Library
Kingswood on Saturday 11 November, 9am to 12noon, at the Skills Hub in Kings Chase shopping centre
Yate on Thursday 23 November, 6pm to 8pm, at Yate Library
Bradley Stoke on Tuesday 28 November, 10am to 12noon, in the foyer of the Willowbrook Shopping Centre
If you are unable to make it in person, you can also respond to the consultations online. https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/engagement-and-consultation/
Community Welcome Spaces
Winter can be an isolating time of year for many people, with the colder weather and shorter days having an impact. Community Welcome Spaces offer a warm, friendly welcome and are free to use. Some offer hot drinks and activities, plus information on local financial support, energy saving tips and cost of living help.
Find a Community Welcome Space here: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/community-welcome-spaces/
Domestic abuse victim support
Next Link Plus+ provides vital support for victims of domestic abuse in South Gloucestershire.
Find out about the help available, including safe houses, counselling, specialist outreach workers and help for children and young people, at information events next week at the Park Centre in Kingswood on Tuesday 7 November from 1pm to 4pm, or Coniston Community Centre in Patchway on Thursday 9 November from 11.30am to 2.30pm.
Find more info here: https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/domestic-abuse/
£250 vouchers towards home retrofit assessments
Retrofit West can help you to upgrade the energy performance of your home.
This newly formed Community Interest Company has been created by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, one of the country’s leading retrofit and energy advice organisations, with funding from the West of England Combined Authority.
Book your appointment today and save £250 off the assessment price, subject to terms and conditions: https://www.retrofitwestadvice.co.uk/homeowner-assessment-accelerator
Accessing town centres and high streets
We want to make is easier for people to find their way around our town centres and high streets and we need your help.
We are looking to install new signs and information boards for pedestrians to provide directions and other information to help people explore the area.
We are keen to hear from local people who know their high streets to share their ideas on what information to include on any new signs. Complete the survey by 17 November here: https://consultations.southglos.gov.uk/wayfinding/consultationHome
£300 cost of living payment
People claiming certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit, will automatically receive a £300 cost of living payment from the government between 31 October and 19 November 2023.
You do not need to apply. If eligible, you will be paid in the same way you usually get your benefits. If you have had a message asking you to apply or contact someone about the payment, this might be a scam. Find out more here: https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/
Help design and name our new youth bus
We have a new vehicle which will be used for youth workers to visit youth clubs, parks and events throughout South Gloucestershire. It will offer the chance for young people to speak to professionals in a safe space.
The bus will be on the road in early 2024, but we need help to make it look more exciting than a white van. We are inviting young people aged 11 to 19 to contribute their design ideas and come up with a name for the vehicle. Find out more on how to take part by 3 December here: https://find-information-for-adults-children-families.southglos.gov.uk/kb5/southglos/directory/advice.page?id=vXw-FjKuWoc#comp
Winter planting
Thanks to our StreetCare staff, 10,000 plants and bulbs have been planted as part of our winter planting programme, to add a splash of colour to our parks and war memorials.
We hope you enjoy the colour as you are out and about in the winter months.
Heritage and archaeology news
Read our autumn heritage and archaeology newsletter. This includes stories on our office buildings, a letterbox recently added to the National Heritage List for England, the excavation of a 12th century building complex at Lower Hazel and the local historic environment online resource Know Your Place. Read the newsletter here: https://mcusercontent.com/d80523c882d7ac64e89f5e037/files/de941f25-b40f-41e4-b9c1-306a7c796a3b/Autumn_2023_Heritage_and_Archaeology_Newsletter.pdf
Tackling littering from vehicles
We have launched a new initiative to target those who discard their litter from vehicles. Offences will be dealt with by issuing Penalty Charge Notices which carry a fine of £100, and anyone with dashcam, CCTV or mobile phone footage of a littering from vehicles offence can report it via our website. Read more here: http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/newsroom/environment/south-gloucestershire-council-takes-action-to-help-reduce-littering-from-vehicles/
Carers support
If you provide support to a relative, partner or friend who could not manage without that help, Carers Support Centre are inviting carers across South Gloucestershire and Bristol to join a session in person or online on Carers Rights Day, Thursday 23 November, from 10.30am to 3pm. You can learn about your rights, local hospital support for carers and the Care Quality Commission’s new duty to assess councils’ delivery of their adult social care duties. Book your space here: https://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/carers-rights-day-2023/