Don will be visiting Moorland Road today from about 11am and will join Cllrs David Dixon and Will Sandry at their monthly advice surgery at the Co-op Scala (Shaftesbury Road entrance). No appointment needed – just come and say hello.
Oldfield Spring Focus – Out now
The Spring 2012 edition of our Focus community newsletter is currently being delivered throughout Oldfield Ward; including the Moorfields Estate, The Oval and parts of Englishcombe Lane and Stirtingale Road.
Click here or on the graphic for the full PDF copy of the newsletter.
We are grateful to our network of volunteers who help us deliver the Focus newsletter. If you could help deliver on your street in the future, please let us know.
Garden Conditions
Following complaints about waste and refuse starting to collect in the gardens of some properties Cllr David Dixon has asked Environmental Health Officers to visit homes in Oldfield Park after the bank holiday.
Initially the occupants will receive a letter with advice to improve the condition of the garden; if this advice is not followed, the occupants will be fined. If the fine is not paid, the occupants will be taken to Court.
Cllr Will Sandry said: “Almost without exception it is the gardens of homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) which have waste and refuse collecting within them.
This is dissapointing as both Student Unions (with the support of the Council) have been fantastic at promoting good household waste management to their members who live in private rented accomodation in the City. See our previous blog post.
The vast majority of people living in HMOs are mindful of the needs of the community in which they live. Unfortunately a relatively small number of households let the community down and tarnish the reputation of others.”
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Have a great weekend!
We hope that all the residents of Oldfield Park have a really enjoyable and fun Jubilee Weekend!
We are really grateful to the Moorland Road traders for the wonderful job they have done dressing the street in Red White and Blue – It looks fantastic!
As it’s the first Saturday of the month we’ll be holding our surgery as usual tomorrow. Find us at the Scala from 11:30, then out and about on Moorland Road.
However if you’re looking for even more fun further afield how about:
Illuminate Bath – All evenings 10pm onwards
A trip to Peasdown St John’s Jubilee Party in the Park on Monday from 11:30
The Dimaond Jubilee Picnic in the Park – Victoria Park on Tuesday from 10:00 – 20:00
Best wishes,
Will and David
Bath Parking Survey Out
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The Council has launched its major parking survey and most households and businesses in Bath (except Combe Down and Odd Down) should have received a letter in the post. The information is also on the Council’s Website.
This survey’s purpose is to understand how the parking available can be best managed as the Council’s vision is for 5,700 new jobs and 6,000 new homes across the city (including the Western Riverside) by 2026.
Parking (and parking schemes) are an emotive subject for many people and resident’s opinions differ individually and on a street by street basis. For residents and businesses in Oldfield Ward we have prepared a Parking Information page. Click on this link or the tab in the page top bar.
Cllr Will Sandry said: “This is a genuine consultation and it is vitally important that the community responds to the survey. The Council will be making decisions about parking and parking schemes based on the responses received.”
Moving out 2012
The summer 2012 campaign to advise students in our community about managing their waste and recycling before they leave for the summer has been launched.
Will who is Chairman of the Student Community Partnership said: “All too often landlords use waste left behind as a reason to withhold the deposit – even though they are slow to then deal with the problem themselves.
This initiative gives students in our community straightforward, practical advice before they move out for the summer. It helps students get their deposits back, and means that there is a lower likelihood of gardens being filled with refuse after the students have moved out.”
Victoria Bridge and a World Record
Victoria bridge is due to re-open late on Monday afternoon. This is great news for the whole community in Bath and will make it even easier for people from Oldfield Park to take part in the World Record attempt on Tuesday in Victoria Park.
The temporary bridge structure has a restricted width and is for pedestrian and wheelchair use only. Cyclists are asked to dismount and walk their bike over the bridge.
Unfortunately the bridge will have to be closed again later in the year so that the final restoration of the bridge can take place. The Council is due to make a decision on how this will happen later in the summer.
It’s still not too late to register to become a World Record holder and be one of 5000 people needed to form the Olympic rings in front of the Royal Cresent at about lunchtime on Tuesday 22nd May. Click here to sign up.
Is your landlord legal?
If you live in a shared home in Oldfield Park with 5 or more occupants and three or more storeys your landlord should have a licence to operate the property. The Council will prosecute any landlord who doesn’t have a licence. If the prosecution is successful, the tenants can apply for a rent repayment order and potentially get up to 1 years refund of the rent they have paid.
A home that needs a licence must have 5 or more occupants sharing a bathroom and kitchen and three or more storeys, for example a landlord would need to have a licence if 5 students were sharing a house with a loft conversion.
Cllr Will Sandry said: “I urge anyone living in this type of accommodation to check it is licensed. The Council will prosecute the landlord, and you could apply for a refund of up to 12 months of your rent payments.
Licensing is not the same as the voluntary Accreditation Scheme and is a legal requirement for this type of property.
If you think your home should have a licence, phone the Council’s Housing services team to check it out on 01225 396444.
See also:-
Good news on Recycling!
Cllr David Dixon - Photo from Bath Chronicle
Over 52% of Household waste in Bath and North East Somerset is now recycled. This is an increase of 6% on last year.
Cllr David Dixon, in his role as the Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods said:
“The council’s investment in providing food waste collections is a key factor behind this latest success. We are pleased with the high participation rate and welcome people’s enthusiasm for the service. But we recognise there are still around 30,000 households not taking part and we will be doing more work to encourage higher participation.
“High recycling rates cut the amount of waste going to landfill. Not only does the level of harmful gases released into the atmosphere reduce, but the council’s landfill tax charge bill is cut, meaning more money is available to protect frontline services.”
Read the Bath Chronicle‘s coverage of this story here or in their print edition available in the shops on Moorland Road.
Sand Pits Litter Pick
Seven members of the community came to lend a hand at our litter pick around the Sand Pits play area this morning. Between us we collected 17 bags of litter, plus a child’s bike, various bits of metal and a parcel shelf.
David Dixon who wants the Sand Pits to be the most loved play area in Bath and North East Somerset said: “This was a good way to spend a Saturday morning. Will and I are really grateful to the members of the community who were able to support us with their time.”