Community Grant Funding Awarded
At the November Parish Council meeting councillors considered ten formal grant applications submitted. Funds allocated for grant payment was severely limited with a budget of £1,250. With prior commitments having been given to support the maintenance of the defririlatiors in the Parish, commitments to community events and to the community forum insurance policy for litter picking etc, Cllrs agreed that the Council was unable to satisfy all applications. After discussions Cllrs agreed that grant payments would be allocated as follows.
Community Forum £80
Royal British Legion £75
Helmet £400
Alveston Defibrillators £130
St Helens Pre-school £250
2nd Alveston Scouts £500
Friends of Marlwood £250
Alveston Jubilee Hall £800
Total £2485
Community Forum £80
Royal British Legion £75
Helmet £400
Alveston Defibrillators £130
St Helens Pre-school £250
2nd Alveston Scouts £500
Friends of Marlwood £250
Alveston Jubilee Hall £800
Total £2485
Play Area re-opens after refurbishment.
Work to refurbish "The Down" play area is complete and now fully open. Alveston Parish Council wish to thank the Enovert Community Trust for providing grant monies in order to make this refurbishment possible. There remains two items of equipment to be added in January 2023 which has been funded by South Gloucestershire Council.
Cost of Living
The Parish Council is aware that many residents will be facing difficulties over the winter and have liaised with South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) as to exactly what help may be available. In conjunction with Town and Parish Councils SGC have published on their website details of available assistance.
Type the following link - https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/help-with-the-cost-of-living to investigate if help is available for you?
Type the following link - https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/help-with-the-cost-of-living to investigate if help is available for you?
Grounds Maintenance Tender (Now Closed)
The contract to maintain the Alveston Parish Council Open Spaces is due for renewal in April 2023 and are inviting contractors to submit a tender based upon the contract specification and associated plans (2 attachments).
The contact will run for three years from 1st April 2023 with an allowance for inflation at each subsequent anniversary. In the event that the contractor continually fails to meet the standards set out in the specification the council reserves the right to determine the contract on one months’ notice.
Contractors that have not worked for the council within the last three years are required to supply the name of a referee for whom work of a similar value has been carried out and the Council reserve the right to obtain a reference from that referee.
The specification should be priced and a PRINTED HARD COPY sent back to the Council at 3 Beanhill Crescent, Alveston, Bristol. BS35 3JG by 12 noon on 31st DECEMBER 2022 in a sealed envelope clearly marked QUOTATION GROUNDS MAINTENANCE.
Any clarification of detail on the quotation from the contractors will be sought within a week commencing 2nd January.
The quotations received will be considered by the Parish Council on Monday 16th January 2023.
The contact will run for three years from 1st April 2023 with an allowance for inflation at each subsequent anniversary. In the event that the contractor continually fails to meet the standards set out in the specification the council reserves the right to determine the contract on one months’ notice.
Contractors that have not worked for the council within the last three years are required to supply the name of a referee for whom work of a similar value has been carried out and the Council reserve the right to obtain a reference from that referee.
The specification should be priced and a PRINTED HARD COPY sent back to the Council at 3 Beanhill Crescent, Alveston, Bristol. BS35 3JG by 12 noon on 31st DECEMBER 2022 in a sealed envelope clearly marked QUOTATION GROUNDS MAINTENANCE.
Any clarification of detail on the quotation from the contractors will be sought within a week commencing 2nd January.
The quotations received will be considered by the Parish Council on Monday 16th January 2023.
| grounds_mtce_core_spec_220930.doc |
| grounds_mtce_core_spec_plans.pdf |
Installation of Outdoor Gym
The Parish council is delighted to announce that the installation of an outdoor Gym / Fitness Equipment at the old Boules area on the Like Kiln Field has been completed and open for use. This equipment can be used and enjoyed by a broad cross section of residents. There are instructions onsite on how to use the equipment and many pieces can be altered to behefit users with all differing levels of fitnerss.
Nature Area
Alveston Parish Councillor and South Glos. Council have planted a selection of trees (as indicated below) and is the first stage in the development of a small nature area at the green space on Down Rd adjacent to the Parish Council fenced play area. It is the hope of the Council that overtime wildflowers, rare grasses and a haven for bees and insects may be encouraged. Benches will also be installed for residents to enjoy what will hopefully become a peaceful area. Parish Council councillors are reaching out to the community for thoughts and ideas and to community groups to offer assistance with planting and upkeep.
Dogs & Play Areas
Residents please note that the Parish Play areas at the Lime Kiln (opposite St Helen's School) and the Cross Hands play area located at the end of the Down Rd green space do not allow dogs within these areas (whether they are on the lead or not). Thank you for your cooperation.
Poo-Shaming - Pick up your dog waste |
Unfortunately residents have noticed an increase of dog fouling on our streets and have urged the Parish Council to bring this to the attention of dog walkers. Where as a vast majority pick up their dogs' waste and deposits in the dog waste / litter Bins which are provided around the parish by your Parish Council there is a smameful minority who do not dispose of dog waste appropriately and leave it to be stood on or at worst to be a hazard which could induce illness.
It has been noted that a minority use the Jubilee and Lime Kiln Field to walk their dogs and residents must be aware that a bye-law which was a condition of donating the land to residents insists that fields must not be used as a facility for dog walking and is strictly for sport, recreation and childrens' play. When councillors request that dogs be taken off the fields the stock answer is that there is nowhere for dogs to exercise. The Down Greenspace CAN be used to allow dogs to exercise
Land owners / farming community have recently advised us that they dare not put sheep out in the fields due to massive quantities of dog mess. Farmers have received abuse from a number of people when challenged about their dogs running around, people not picking up or leaving the bags in the hedges. Police and council dog wardens have been informed!
This is well known to be a national problem but if everyone plays their part and acts responsibility in our Parish we can ensure that this remains a pleasant place to live.
It has been noted that a minority use the Jubilee and Lime Kiln Field to walk their dogs and residents must be aware that a bye-law which was a condition of donating the land to residents insists that fields must not be used as a facility for dog walking and is strictly for sport, recreation and childrens' play. When councillors request that dogs be taken off the fields the stock answer is that there is nowhere for dogs to exercise. The Down Greenspace CAN be used to allow dogs to exercise
Land owners / farming community have recently advised us that they dare not put sheep out in the fields due to massive quantities of dog mess. Farmers have received abuse from a number of people when challenged about their dogs running around, people not picking up or leaving the bags in the hedges. Police and council dog wardens have been informed!
This is well known to be a national problem but if everyone plays their part and acts responsibility in our Parish we can ensure that this remains a pleasant place to live.
Alveston Transformed at Night
The Parish Council is delighted to announce that South Glos. Council have completed the update to the street lighting within the Parish replacing the old for new LED streetlights. The purpose of this is to improve the night lighting at the same time reducing maintenance and most importantly CO2 emissions. The lights are fitted with automated dimming to control usage at peak and off-peak times, as between 11PM and 6AM the lighting output is reduced by half. The benefits of the new lights are to; reduce maintenance, greater control and flexibility of light emissions, reduced “sky-glow”, a reduction by 70% in energy consumption and co2 emissions and a better more direct light source.
Resurfaced Play Area with new Play Frame
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The Parish Council is proud to announce that this play area has now been re-surfaced and along with the completed installation of a new play frame and repainting of all equipment by a kind community volunteer the area feels new and up together.
The Parish Council forward their thanks to all involved. |
Neighbours Wanted
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We are still looking to recruit new councillors as although we now have nine councillors are allocation is eleven. We therefore encourage you to consider joining this small group of local people who help to make the Parish a better place to live. This is a very good time to become involved in developing our community as there are many challenges and new and exciting opportunities for the year ahead.
Parish Councillors must be over 21, a British National or a Citizen of the Commonwealth or European Union and fulfil a local residency requirement. You are not a paid employee of the Council as the law forbids it and you don’t have to have a political affiliation. If you are interested and want to find out more, contact any Parish Councillor or the Clerk at the Parish Office (contact us). |
Alveston Police Matters
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The general message is to ask residents to be vigilant and to raise awareness of anything suspicious through the local Police and Neighbourhood Watch.
Police will always attend upon request from residents to give crime prevention advice. Police have been advised that people are sometimes too worried to phone 101 or report online for fear others will find out. Residents can be assured that everything is treated with absolute confidentiality and do not disclose the caller information Police will most likely speak with the caller first to get more information before taking any action. If however you are still not confident you can always report to police as ‘anonymous’ and not give your details. Crimestoppers is another option, online or phone 0800 555 111 this too can be anonymous. Visit the Severn Vale team page to find out who's fighting crime in our area, along with their calendar of events, current policing priorities, and tweets. |
Potholes & Resurfacing
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At a recent Parish Council meeting our district Councillor Matthew Riddle informed the Parish Council that South Gloucestershire Council are undertaking works to repair potholes within the Parish.
Several have now been identified however, if you are aware of dangerous potholes in your street / road these can reported to your Clerk who will pass your information onto South Glos. Council The Parish Council is delighted to announce that resurfacing works have been completed at Rosewood Avenue and Old Gloucester Road. |
Tree Planting
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At the Parish Council meeting in January Councillors agreed to support the Community Forum with additional tree planting at available space on Parish Council land.
The Parish council has set aside £500 for the planting of new saplings scheduled for later in the year. Councillors have requested that we all look to trying to take action on climate change by tree planting in our gardens and if any landowners within the Parish have space for the Council to plant trees then please contact the Parish Clerk. |
Greenhill Parade Telephone Box
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The Parish Council is delighted to announce that it has secured the Telephone Box situated at Greenhill Road from BT for community use.
The Parish Council has now handed the maintenance and use of the box to the Alveston Community Forum who have now transformed this to a book exchange. |
St Helen's Speed Reduction Measures
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Members of the Alveston Parish Council Working Group observed the arrival of school children at St Helen's School and the surrounding traffic movements on 20th and 22nd of November from 8am onwards. (Homeward bound observations are due), a summary of observations and comments from the working group were discussed and reported at the Parish Council meeting on the 16th December.
School Governors have also set up a school working party; (students, governors and staff), to draw up a new “Green” Travel Plan. Further information will be published on alveston.org as it arises. |
Parking Issues
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Alveston Parish Council recognise residents’ concerns relating to both the issues of parking at Quarry Road and those of parking at St Helens School at pick up and drop off times, along with speeding traffic coming off the A38 through Greenhill Road.
In conjunction with South Gloucestershire Council councillor representatives it was decided that two separate working groups be set up to investigate the issues and work toward solutions to these problems which are a cause of concern to residents. |
SGC Protocol for unauthorised traveller sites
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With the advent of further traveller incursions onto the Down Road green space the Parish Council remind residents that this land belongs to South Gloucestershire Council who have recently updated their procedures and protocol.
Click here for more information. |
Parish Council Audit & Accounts
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AGARThe internal audiit and accounts for 2021-22 have been completed and was discussed and approved at the Parish Council meeting on 20TH jUNE 22.
Click here for further details of the 2021-22 Governance and Accounts Return. |
South Glos. Council - Local Plan Consultation
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SGC are developing a new Local Plan for South Gloucestershire, called the Local Plan 2020. This will need to include a new strategy and policies to guide and manage growth and change in our areas over the next 15 years.
The Local Plan is an important opportunity to:
Link to SGC Local Plan Consultation Page on SGC website. |
Timber Trail
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Installed in 2018 our Timber Trail is located at the far end of the Lime Kiln Field under the trees (perfect for a hot sunny day). The Timber Trail is a professionally designed and manufactured wooden trim trail for a variety of ages of children between 3 - 10 years old, (although ideally for the very young (3 – 5 years) we recommend that supervised play on the Clatterbridge, Weaving Beam and Balance Beams).
Over the coming years the Parish Council will be looking to upgrade other equipment however, if residents have ideas for further investment in play / exercise equipment for our recreation areas please pass any comments to the Parish Clerk via email: clerk@alvestonpc.co.uk. |
New Structure for Your Parish Council
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It was decided by Councillors at their last meeting that the Parish Council focus on a number of community projects and to this end use the first Monday of the month, usually devoted to committee meetings to focus on projects.
It was decided that the Parish Council sub-committees be disbanded and be replaced with a “Responsible” Councillor to oversee issues within their areas and to head discussion groups which will report their findings to the Parish Council Meeting on the third Monday of every month in the Jubilee Hall. The Planning Committee will continue to meet at 7PM on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month as usual. |
Dog Fouling and Vandalism
The Parish Council is disappointed to report that they have received several complaints relating to both dog fouling and vandalism.
It is obvious that neither individual Councillors nor the Parish Clerk have resources available to rectify this problem but would please ask residents to be responsible and proactive in maintaining Alveston‘s wellbeing.
Dog fouling and Graffiti can be reported to South Gloucestershire Council on the “report it” section of their website or alternatively inform the Parish Clerk and he will do this for you!
It is obvious that neither individual Councillors nor the Parish Clerk have resources available to rectify this problem but would please ask residents to be responsible and proactive in maintaining Alveston‘s wellbeing.
Dog fouling and Graffiti can be reported to South Gloucestershire Council on the “report it” section of their website or alternatively inform the Parish Clerk and he will do this for you!
Courtesy to Disabled Pedestrians
It has come to light recently that residents’ cars and delivery vans have been parking entirely on the pavement causing an enormous inconvenience to wheel chair users, blind pedestrians and other disabled residents as they are required to divert their route onto the road and in some cases (for wheel chair users, where a drop kerb does not exist) a lengthy detour is required.
Could residents please show courtesy, respect and some common sense and ensure that free access to our pavements is available to all.
Could residents please show courtesy, respect and some common sense and ensure that free access to our pavements is available to all.