South Gloucestershire residents could see their council tax bills frozen for a second year running. At its next meeting, the Council’s Conservative Cabinet plans to ask residents for their views on a second council tax freeze as part of a consultation on next year’s council budget. Council tax rises have fallen steadily since the Conservatives started running South Gloucestershire Council
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Council payments switch boosts Post Office business
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 readingBlow for council as inspector halts Core Strategy examination
The independent inspector tasked with determining if South Gloucestershire Council’s draft Core Strategy is ‘legal and sound’ has halted the examination process because he feels the document needs more work in a number of key areas. The inspector wrote to the council on 15th August detailing his concerns and giving the council the options of either withdrawing the plan and
Continue readingFree cardboard recycling bags available for collection
South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) is now making it even easier for people to recycle their cardboard waste by providing local residents with a free bag. The reusable recycling bags for cardboard have been delivered to local libraries, leisure centres and a wide range of local community outlets, from where they are now available for residents to collect. Executive Member for
Continue readingLabour’s Filton Airfield campaign takes shape
The campaign by local people and politicians to resist moves to close and develop Filton Airfield is beginning to take shape. South Gloucestershire’s Labour Group, which recently outlined its opposition to the closure in its response to a council ‘position statement’ consultation, has now set up an online petition and is encouraging likeminded residents to sign it. The petition is
Continue readingMore partnership working in the West of England, not less!
Despite stories to the contrary, partnership working in the West of England is alive and well and is continuing more strongly through enhanced partnership arrangements, says South Gloucestershire Council. The four councils in the West of England are continuing to work together on transport, planning, housing and waste as part of these enhanced arrangements. The councils will continue to engage
Continue readingSouth Glos to remain in Conservative minority administration
Following the results of local council elections on Thursday 5th May, South Gloucestershire Council will continue as a Conservative minority administration. In a joint statement, the current leaders of the three parties – Cllr John Calway (Conservative), Cllr Ruth Davis (Liberal Democrat) and Cllr Roger Hutchinson (Labour) – said: “We look forward to continuing to serve the residents of South
Continue readingCouncil employees recognised for their hard work
Bradley Hook has been crowned 2011 employee of the year by South Gloucestershire Council. An awards ceremony was held last week to pay tribute to staff including Bradley (pictured) who is employed to keep the high street and surrounding streets in Staple Hill clean and tidy. He was among a number of staff to be recognised for their contribution to
Continue readingYate Hub celebrates its first anniversary
Young people from the local Youth Forum will join local dignitaries in Yate to celebrate the first anniversary of the Children’s Locality Hub on Monday 7th February. More than £1.7 million has been invested in the Children’s Hub which provides a range of services to children, young people and their families in this community setting situated next to the library
Continue readingCouncil Leader meets with David Cameron at No.10
South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative Leader John Calway met recently with Prime Minister David Cameron at a reception hosted at 10 Downing Street, and discussed the Government’s proposals to give more power to councillors and local residents in South Gloucestershire. The Government’s Localism Bill will lay the foundations for the Big Society by radically transforming the relationships between central government, local
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