Neighbours Wanted
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We are looking to recruit new councillors and encourage all residents 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). |
Corona Virus
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PARKS & RECREATIONAL AREAS IN ALVESTON
We’re advising residents on how to use our parks and open spaces following the government’s latest guidance. From Wednesday 13 May, people will be able to, spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air and to meet one other person from a different household outdoors as long as social distancing guidelines are followed and are able to exercise outdoors as often as they wish again following social distancing guidelines. Please remember that our Jubilee and Lime Kiln Field do not allow dogs to enter although the greenspace on Down Road is dog friendly! At all times residents should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when outside the home, including ensuring they are two metres away from anyone outside their household. Please continue to avoid the play equipment in the Lime Kiln Field and Play area and also at the Cross Hands play area this all remains closed until further notice. COMMUNITY AID GROUPS ELIGIBLE FOR MEMBER AWARDED FUNDING Individual District Councillors will be able to allocate discretionary Member Awarded Funding (MAF) to the community-based and neighbourhood-level groups which have emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic to help the most vulnerable and isolated in our society. South Glos. Council (SGC) have temporarily amended the rules governing how this money can be allocated so that smaller and less formal groups are able to receive it. SGC have removed the minimum level of grant, of £250, for Covid-19 community groups. This will make small amounts of support to community groups available, which may be more attractive to the smaller groups; meeting their needs and reducing the financial responsibility involved in larger grants. Under the MAF system, South Gloucestershire Councillors are given a budget to help fund groups supporting local needs in their Wards. Quite reasonably, the applying group will need to demonstrate who they are, how they operate and the benefits they provide to local people. Many of the new groups have arisen from Facebook and WhatsApp communities however it is recognised the value of the help they are delivering and as such do not want to disadvantage them because they have not drafted a formal constitution, for example, which would unduly slow down the process of them receiving support. Lighter touch rules will allow Ward Members to direct funds to these groups during the Covid-19 pandemic, if they wish, so long as they are registered on our Community Aid Directory. For Alveston, Rudgeway and Earthcot organisations that wish to apply for MAF funding the Ward Councillors for this Parish are Matthew Riddle & Keith Burchell and may be contacted through SGC. Details can be found at the South Glos Website - Member Award Funding |
Update from South Glos. Council Waste Team
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Thornbury Sort it Centre to reopen on 16th May
South Glos. Council are planning to reopen the Thornbury Sort it Recycling Site on Saturday 16th May if they are able to implement the necessary measures. However, visiting will be a different experience and it is important to reinforce that travel should only be undertaken when residents really need to visit in order to prevent a build-up of waste or recycling at home which could cause a risk of injury, health or harm to the resident or other members of their household. When the site reopens social distancing measures will be in place which will restrict movement to only two tipping points per vehicle, this will mean initially only two waste streams will be available: 1. non-recyclable black bin waste 2. large household items – furniture, wood, mattresses, soft furnishing, garden furniture etc Demand will be exceptionally high so South Glos Council are planning longer opening hours (6am-6pm), 7 days a week but realistically traffic will be hard to manage, and visitors can expect queues. Additional traffic management and onsite security is also being arranged. Thornbury Sort It Centre and the removal of waste Further details of how the Thornbury Sort It Centre will operate when it reopens on Saturday 16th May, can be found at (please check before you go): https://beta.southglos.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling-changes-due-to-coronavirus-covid-19/#mcetoc_1e449bsnli If you have waste to dispose of that cannot go in the waste services provided by the local Council, you may have to store it on your property and then arrange for a skip service to remove it. Any waste must be disposed of legally and responsibly, please make sure you are aware of your duty of care for the disposal of waste. Visit the GOV.UK website for the waste duty of care code of practice waste duty of care code of practice. Duty of Care Code : Transfer waste to an authorised person Please check whether a person or business is authorised to take waste before you transfer your waste to them. An authorised person is one of the following:
In summary to protect yourself when getting rid of such waste: 1.Get the name and address of the company. 2.Check that they have a valid waste carrier’s licence. 3.Ask where the rubbish is going. 4. Get a signed invoice, receipt and/or transfer note. There have been examples of the fly tipping of waste on verges, gateways and laybys which have come from unregistered waste removal businesses. They have being caught and fined, but also the householder is liable to prosecution if they allow their waste to be removed by an unregistered waste business. Weekly Recycling Collections to Resume on 13th May Weekly recycling collections will resume throughout the parish from Wednesday 13th May after being temporarily changed by South Glos. Council in order to keep essential collections running during the COVID-19 outbreak. Residents are advised that as from 13th May to put their recycling out on their normal collection day by 7am and bear in mind that the SGC crews along with so many of our key workers will be working longer hours than usual to keep us up and running. Thank You! |
Alveston Police Matters – Area Police Report (March)
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Crime is still decreasing and anti-social behaviour still low, certainly in comparism to this time last year. This allows Police to focus on more pro-active work including tackling drugs, more school and youth intervention and crime reduction awareness.
Thornbury Community Speedwatch Volunteers received a Price award from the PCC Sue Mounstevens They were nominated by Thornbury beat team as they go above and beyond in their community with three to four sessions a week to keep our roads safe and help in tackling speeding motorists. Please note that : - 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 Thornbury team page to find out who's fighting crime in our area, along with their calendar of events, current policing priorities, and tweets. |
Alveston Parish Council – Community Grant Payments
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Alveston Parish Council has awarded grant payments to the following community groups.
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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 by following this link. South Gloucester Council have confirmed that they issued a Resurfacing Works Order - Spring 2020 for both Old Gloucerster Road (Alveston) and Rosewood Avenue. This is for carriageway reconstruction and resurfacing works and will be operative from the 18th May 2020 for a maximum period of 18 months. The closure will not be implemented for the whole of the period but only when traffic signs are in position and only for so long as is necessitated by the works which are anticipated to be of 2 weeks duration. |
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. |
Update on progress with plans with the Alveston Down Road Space
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The installation of the bund designed to prevent vehicular access onto the Down Road Space has now been completed. It is now the intention of South Gloucester Council to seed the bund with wild flowers to ensure (hopefully) a colourful display in the summer!
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New Play Equipment Earmarked for Lime Kiln Play Area
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The Parish Council has approved the proposal that New Play Equipment be installed into the Lime Kiln Play Area and initially the Council is looking to replace the large frame situated at the centre of the play area which was installed some twenty years ago.
Over the next couple of months a sub-group of the Council will be investigating options and would welcome any input from residents as to what Multi use equipment could be installed. Maybe you have seen equipment at other play areas which you like? We would like to hear from you! Please contact the Parish Clerk with any ideas you have! Thank you. |
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 telephone within will be removed by BT).
The Parish Council has now handed the maintenance and use of the box to the Alveston Community Forum and their decision as to how they wish it to be used for the benefit of the Community will be reported in due course. |
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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[September 2019, Parish Clerk] 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. Updates of progress will be posted onto Alveston.org on a regular basis as and when the working group meetings have taken place. |
Grounds Maintenance Contract Tender
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[September 2019, Parish Clerk] The contract to maintain the Alveston Parish Council Open Spaces is due for renewal in April 2020 and the Council are inviting contractors to submit a tender based upon the contract specification below.
The contact will run for three years from 1st April 2020 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 month's notice. Contractors who 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 copy sent back to the Council by 12 noon on 31st DECEMBER 2019 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 6th January. The quotations received will be considered by the Parish Council on Monday 20th January 2020. The specification should be priced and a copy sent back to the Council by 12 noon on 31st DECEMBER 2019 in a sealed envelope clearly marked QUOTATION GROUNDS MAINTENANCE to the Parish Clerk, 3, Beanhill Crescent, Alveston Bristol BS35 3JG. ***PLEASE NOTE THAT EMAIL RESPONSES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.*** Click here for the plans. Click here for the contract specification. THE TENDER PROCESS HAS NOW BEEN COMPLETED AND THE PARISH COUNCIL AWARDED THE CONTRACT TO PRESTIGE GROUNDS LTD FOR A FURTHER THREE YEARS |
St Helen's Speed Reduction Measures
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[August 2019, Parish Clerk] Matthew Riddle our South Gloucestershire Councillor has updated us that the removal of speed cushions in Greenhill / outside St Helen's School has been undertaken in advance of the grip fibre programme (premium micro asphalt road resurfacing).
The grip fibre is due to be completed week commencing 19th August and then they’ll reinstate the cushions week commencing 26th August. Greenhill needs a road closure (to put the cushions back in place) and is outside a school, so if weather delays do occur, then reinstatement of the cushions is likely to be October half-term. |
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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Click here for further details of the 2018-19 Governance and Accounts Return.
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Changes to the South Gloucestershire Council Planning Process
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As from 1st of November South Gloucestershire Council have changed their procedure in the way in which they administer, inspect and review planning applications. A vast majority of the process remains unchanged however, the process for review and representation on applications which are contentious i.e. between that of the residents / developer and the planning authority (SGC) has changed and public are no longer permitted to attend on-site meetings of the SGC scrutiny committee to air their opinion.
Any views from the public at these meetings must come through the Parish Council representative (who will attend meetings on behalf of residents). This means that the Parish Council Planning committee urge residents to keep a watchful eye for applications which feel may affect them via the SGC Planning Portal or to review Alveston.org “planning applications to be considered”, which is posted prior to the Planning meeting which takes place on the first and third Monday of each month. Early engagement with your Parish Council is now essential. Also note that South Gloucestershire Council meetings for application consideration will no longer take place at Turnberrie’s in Thornbury and all meetings have been relocated to Kingswood. However the Parish Council have been assured by SGC Head of Planning that if an application is contentious enough and a large enough amount of Public object then the SGC Committee meeting could be relocated to review that application. For a full insight into the changes to the SGC planning process please click here. |
New Play Equipment
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The Parish Council is pleased to announce the completed installation of new play equipment at the Lime Kiln Field.
This replaces the old logs and is a professionally designed wooded trim trail for a variety of ages of children (although for the very young (3 – 5 years) we recommend that supervised play on the new Clatterbridge, Weaving Beam and Balance Beams and Step logs is ideal). This and the remainder of the equipment are also designed for ages from 5 – 10 years. An update – on our burned out play tunnel. Regretfully this piece of equipment is no longer in use after being burnt down! This is currently in the hands of the Parish Council Insurance with the hope that the cost to replace may be met. Over the coming years the Parish Council will be looking to upgrade other equipment and will be holding a public consultation to reach out to residents and ask what is ideal for them. If you have any comments in the meantime please contact 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. |
Parish Council Public Surgeries
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After the success of the previous surgeries held by the Council Clerk and a Councillor it has been decided to make the Surgeries a permanent feature. In view of the restructuring of the Parish Council it has been decided that a Parish Surgery be available the first Monday of every month (excluding Bank Holidays) between 7.30 – 8.30PM at the Bush Room at the Jubilee Hall.
Any resident wishing to raise any concerns or issues informally and out of meeting or confidentially with the Clerk or Councillor may turn up to this session. Or just come along for a chat about your community. |
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. Visit the Thornbury and Alveston team page to find out who's fighting crime in our area, along with their calendar of events, current policing priorities, and tweets. |
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!
Alveston Parish Play Equipment
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Each year the Parish Council are required to have all play equipment checked by an independent authority to ensure that all equipment is safe for children to use. (ROSPA Inspection - Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).
The Clerk reported to Councillors at the recent Playing Fields and Open Spaces meeting that the inspection had been completed and there were no major issues or faults to rectify. |
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.