Don Foster to retire in 2015

Cllr Dixon with Don Foster on Moorland Road

Don Foster has announced that he will not stand for re-election as MP for Bath in May 2015. Commenting Don said:

“After what will have been 23 wonderful years, this has been a very difficult decision to make. It has been an enormous privilege since 1992 to serve the people of this great city through five parliamentary sessions.

However, my task is not over: there are 17 months before the next election. I have every intention of continuing to do all I can to work with and for local people. I will do my utmost to ensure that Bath continues to grow from strength to strength as a great place in which to live and work.”

In Parliament Don helped our community in Oldfield Park by protecting the pensions of Stothert and Pitt pensioners and lobbying for improved planning regulations. These regulations enabled the Council to better control the number of Homes in Multiple Occupation.

More recently as a Minister, Don worked to improve the standard of rented accommodation and to better regulate Letting Agents.

Cllr Will Sandry said: “Don has been a fantastic representative who is largely respected across party politics. I know so many residents in Oldfield Ward who have benefited from Don’s help over the years. We will all miss having him as our MP after May 2015.”

Cllr David Dixon added: “Knocking doors for Don in the 2001 General Elections is what convinced me to stand for election myself and serve my local community. It was a great honour and has been a joy ever since. I think everyone knows someone who has been helped by Don over the past 22 years”

Cash for the Community

Cllr David Dixon helps give away new trees for the Moorfields Estate

Cllr David Dixon helps give away new trees for the Moorfields Estate

Do you run a project or event that brings the community together? If you do this in Oldfield Ward we’d like you to invite you to apply for a small cash grant from our Ward Councillor’s Initiative fund.

In the past, Will and Dave have been able to support a number of local projects through their Ward Councillor funding. These include:

  • Articulate! – A local Arts and Crafts Group which meets at Hillside Hall.

If you are a small community group based in Oldfield Ward we may still be able to help you with a small grant of £100-£250. Please contact us directly to discuss your application, but be quick funds are limited!

Oldfield public toilets to remain open

Loo roll websiteThe automatic public toilet on Shaftesbury Road (just off Moorland Road) will remain open.

Cllr Will Sandry (pictured) said: ” The usage at this public toilet is very low, which makes it very difficult for the Council to justify the expenditure.

It’s great news that the toilet will be provided for free by the Council’s new Operator, Healthmatic. This will mean that those people who use the toilet can continue to do so, albeit for a small fee.”

The current charge to use the toilet is 20p and will remain at that rate for the time being. The net cost to the Council was previously in excess of £12,000 a year.

Cllr David Dixon added: “The toilets at the Sandpits play area on Monksdale Road was never considered for closure and will be refurbished in due course.”

 

Reclycling more in 2-0-1-4!

recycle more 2014Most households will have now received details of the Council’s full “menu” of recycling options for 2014. If you’ve missed it you can find an online copy on the Council Website.

Why not take a moment to check there’s nothing else you can recycle?

If you are a student at Bath or Bath Spa Universities you can use your student ID card to access the Council’s Recycling Centres without registering separately.

 

Moorland Road Christmas Lights 2013

PN142-LThe Moorland Road Christmas Lights switch-on is this Saturday, 23rd November 2013.

Timetable of events:

3pm: Father Christmas arrives outside Sainsbury’s with presents for Children aged 8 or under

4:30pm: The Lights will be switched on by the Mayor of Bath

Charity Collection: The Moorland Road traders will be collecting in aid of the Christmas Lights at 3pm

Be sure to look out for Ted the RUH Forever Friends bear who will also be visiting Moorland Road in the afternoon.

This year Will and David have used some of their Ward Councillor Initiate funding from the Council to provide the new larger lights. The organisers are particularly grateful for sponsorship from Oldfield Electrical Services who installed the lights.

Linear Park – Do we need a code of conduct?

tt bridgeA code of conduct is proposed for users of the Two Tunnels route; part of which runs though Linear Park. Please let us know what you think:

The path offers a great way for walkers, cyclists and the less mobile to get between Bath and Midford and destinations in between. Many young, elderly and disabled people benefit from the path which provides a traffic-free environment to relax and unwind. We all have responsibilities for the safety of others, and if we each follow a few simple rules everyone can enjoy it.

Mobility scooters may use the path. Motor cycles and horses are prohibited.

All Users

  • Keep to the left
  • Leave no litter
  • Respect the privacy of adjoining properties and landowners

Cyclists

  • Cyclists tend to be the fastest movers on the path, which is not suitable for high speeds. If you wish to travel quickly or train for fitness this is better done on quiet roads.
  • Take particular care when heading north from Devonshire Tunnel where the path heads downhill and it is easy to pick up excess speed.
  • Give way to pedestrians and wheelchair users;
  • Be courteous and patient with other path users who are moving more slowly than you;
  • Do not startle other people, particularly those who are frail or who have reduced sight, hearing or mobility;
  • In the tunnels the path width reduces; slow down if space is limited or if you cannot see clearly ahead;
  • Be particularly careful at junctions, or any other ‘blind spots’ where people could appear in front of you without warning;
  • Carry a bell and use it to avoid surprising people;
  • However, don’t assume people can see or hear you – remember that some people are hard of hearing or visually impaired;
  • In dull and dark weather make sure you have lights so you can be seen.

Dog Walkers

  • Please keep dogs under close control and clear up after your dog

Remember – Share the path so that everyone can enjoy it!

See also Cllr Will Sandry’s comments before the opening of the route.

Is your home secure?

Police van in OldfieldWe’re fortunate to have low levels of crime in Oldfield, but as the nights draw in we should all take a moment to think about our home security. There’s a short home checklist available which can be download by following this link.

For 1-2-1 advice, on Saturday 12th October – between 1pm and 4pm the Police will be holding a Beat Surgery in the Co-op Scala car park. All members of the community are welcome to meet Oldfield’s Police team and register their high value electrical items free of charge.

More advice about crime reduction is available on the Police website.