Payments for council services made through South Gloucestershire’s post offices and local shops have rocketed by 59 per cent in the last year, new figures reveal. Despite strong opposition from Labour and Lib Dem councillors, the authority’s Conservative administration transferred its cash payments service out of council’s three offices and into the larger existing network of local shops and post
Continue readingYear: 2011
Community groups benefit from increased grant funding
A number of voluntary groups have won a share of £125,000 in grants from South Gloucestershire Council. The grants were allocated across all five local area forums – Frome Vale, Kings Forest, Severn Vale, Southern Brooks and The Chase – for projects which directly benefit the community. Earlier this summer, the council increased the funding for these grants by £200,000
Continue readingSeasonal celebration back on the hill
Staple Hill’s ‘Christmas on the Hill’ Festival will be taking place this year on Saturday 10th December. The annual festival has become a firm fixture in Staple Hill and always promises to be a fun day for all the family. Free entertainment takes place throughout the afternoon at venues around Staple Hill, however the highlight of the day is undoubtedly
Continue readingDate set for 2011 Chipping Sodbury Christmas Market
Sodbury Chamber of Commerce today announced it would be holding its annual Christmas Market on Saturday 10th December. Local farmers and producers are joining the town’s shopkeepers to offer shoppers a relaxing day out to help them prepare for Christmas. An extended Farmers Market will run alongside gift and craft stalls offering visitors to the town an opportunity to look
Continue readingNational success for Chipping Sodbury School and the Rotary Racer
Four of Chipping Sodbury School’s Greenpower cars recently took part in the national final of Greenpower at Goodwood motor circuit. Their presence in the final had been earned at heats around the country. Greenpower is a national electric car racing competition with over 200 schools, from across he UK, taking part. Greenpower involves students, with the help of sponsors, designing,
Continue readingCouncil promotes junior driver courses
Young people are being offered the chance to learn what it takes to become competent drivers through a course aimed at the 16-year-olds. Would-be young drivers will learn road safety and have the chance to get behind the wheel on a private road network. During these practical sessions, they will learn basic car handling skills in a safe environment, on
Continue reading“Threat” to Frenchay community hospital defeated
Press release by the Conservative Group on SGC A vote forcing a local NHS U-turn on the new Frenchay community hospital has been narrowly defeated. Labour councillors tabled a motion at last night’s South Gloucestershire Council meeting calling on the local North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) to overturn its decision to involve an independent provider, such as St Monica’s Trust,
Continue reading[Forum] Closure of Filton Airfield is “unthinkable”
Dear Editor, The closure of Filton Airfield is unthinkable, with its ease of access to the motorway network and direct rail-link, combined with the long runway. Such a strategic location should be utilized to its maximum. Air freight cargo is now transported to all destinations worldwide. With the increase in air freight services Filton could become a “Cargo Hub”. Major
Continue readingRSPCA recognises council’s emergency planning
Staff at South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) have been given a gold award by the RSPCA in recognition of plans put in place to look after pets during an emergency or crisis. The RSPCA Animal Welfare ‘Footprints’ Award was won by emergency planners at the authority for best practice in animal welfare.This award was made in recognition of the work done
Continue readingBBC revelation overshadows councillors’ Filton Airfield debate
Filton Airfield, earmarked for closure at the end of 2012 by its owner BAE Systems, made £1.3m profit in 2010, the BBC has revealed. The news has angered campaigners who would like to see the airfield kept operational because the company described the facility as “unviable” when justifying its decision to close it at the end of 2012. The news
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