South Gloucestershire residents have been denied a say on a major constitutional change in what has been labelled a “Black Day for local democracy” in the district. Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors voted down a Conservative proposal to consult with the public at tonight’s Full Council meeting (Wednesday 21st March), even though Bristol residents have the chance to vote in
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Labour councillors in South Gloucestershire have heralded the Council’s decision this evening to scrap its ruling Cabinet and move to a Committee system of decision making which will involve all 70 councillors as great for democracy and transparency. From mid-May, politically proportional committees will make the authority’s key decisions instead of just seven Conservative ‘Executive’ councillors. The decision was made
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The London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG) has today (Monday 19th) announced the street level route of the Olympic Torch Relay which will travel through the streets of Bitton, Longwell Green and Hanham on Tuesday 22nd May. Torchbearer Daniel Munden, from Bristol, will carry the Olympic Flame along one stretch of the route through South Gloucestershire when he takes part in
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The Green Party in South Gloucestershire is urging the council to bring in area-wide 20mph zones, following the commitment of Bristol and Bath councils to do the same. It has been shown that such area-wide schemes are extremely beneficial, and improve the quality of life of all residents. Green Party transport spokesman Richard Burton said: “20mph zones reduce pollution and
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Thousands more youngsters could benefit from council funding, under new proposals being considered by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC). The Council’s statistics show that, of the 22,000 young people aged 13-19 in South Gloucestershire, only around 20 per cent regularly accessed a council youth centre in 2010/11. And so the council is consulting on proposed changes to its children, young people
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South Gloucestershire Council’s Core Strategy is on track for consideration by a Government Inspector, following the end of a final ‘publication period’ on 17th February. The district’s planning blueprint was approved by Council in December, with the seven week publication period providing an opportunity for local people to review and comment on the document in its final form. More than
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South Gloucestershire Conservative councillors succeeded in freezing the Council Tax for a second year running at last night’s council budget meeting, pumping more funding into elderly care and rewarding communities that have seen housing growth . At the meeting, all councillors were asked to support the recommendations of the Conservative Cabinet, which included: Freezing the basic Council Tax for a
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Labour councillors in South Gloucestershire last night voted against the ruling Conservatives’ budget package, arguing that they were being asked to sign a blank cheque because of the lack of critical detail it contained. In a speech to the Council, Labour Leader Cllr Andy Perkins pinpointed his party’s concerns about the 2012/13 budget in terms of its lack of transparency,
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Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is today announcing £1 billion additional support for UK businesses at a national conference staged at the Bristol and Bath Science Park in Emersons Green. The funding is part of the Regional Growth Fund and takes the total fund to £2.4 billion. Nick Clegg is being joined by Business Secretary Vince Cable and his Ministerial
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Liberal Democrats on South Gloucestershire Council will propose budget amendments to a meeting of Full Council on Wednesday (22nd February), committing the authority to a zero increase in council tax, protecting front-line services, and devolving more of its money to local decision-making. Ruth Davis, Leader of the council’s opposition, said: “We live in difficult financial times; we all know that
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