https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/public-notices/notice-election-bath-north-east-somerset-council-widcombe-lyncombe-ward

Persimmon Homes Severn Valley are proposing to build 200 homes on three fields on the western edge of Keynsham, close to Charlton Road. Link: 200 homes being proposed on the western edge of Keynsham

Link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02HaYxmLEp64DgwuhRSxqXPzebtVwj6e6LtGE9eGhonx9xt2FqtRuALdiBLGXgdSoQl&id=61560000664313

A rare moment indeed. I agree with my Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse 100%. Facial Recognition and other new surveillance technologies need reigning in and controlling asap. Freedom of movement in every way must be maintained. We need less blanket surveillance not more. But don’t think this is only facial recognition. There is also gait…

I have no doubt that crime will continue to rise. Difficult economic times are ahead. Our communities are beginning to feel the squeeze and use of the black market and the value of stolen goods will increase. We need a different approach soon, and an urgent return to Peel’s principles. But it’s also worth noting…

BaNES a have a target of 1400+ houses per year for the next 20 years, whilst claiming Bath itself can’t take anymore development without losing UNESCO status. So more houses are coming to our rural areas! Farrington/Paulton have the SVEZ designated and all the road speed limits downgraded already so building along those corridors is…

The defence to challenge and confrontation over wastage has become to deflect and label things “toxic” or “bullying”. This has got to change! Link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/08/07/luke-campbell-reform-olympic-athlete-hull-east-yorkshire/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6nRlblKeWOzskJeF4zIUegQNC1PiUD3bpPmRKMRjXZiESzvxoNIEAYUAF5vw_aem_bktmyNSGXFrvch3TvZhIrA

Bath, Arun, East Hampshire and The Cotswolds are pushing back against house building targets since Labour came to power in 2024. Bath’s letter to Rayner echoed that of the Cotswolds, reading: “The city of Bath is a twice-inscribed UNESCO World Heritage site which covers both the city and its green setting. Development beyond our current…

Claims of criminality have been levelled at Bath & North East Somerset Council over work carried out at 9 and 10 Wellington Buildings, Upper Weston. Both council-owned and Grade II listed. Link: https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/community/council-slammed-criminal-work-homes-112152/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4q9c44la2CICQIA3KHUq8OZWu3lnciiYh5SAIqAMqASQ-83eANL2jezAlxCw_aem_ewQQWJZ6ONrQ6WBli80NQQ

This is how BaNES are spending our money to control our movements. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/reformuk.bath/permalink/1316679569913172/?

The parking restrictions in South Road, Midsomer Norton have been in effect for a while now. Between 0800-1800hrs BaNES allow 2hrs free parking. A car park that we pay council tax to operate and maintain but I digress. Despite being free for 2 hours a “free” ticket must be obtained and displayed. To not do…

https://newsroom.bathnes.gov.uk/news/communities-invited-register-interest-developing-local-renewable-energy?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLa9ENleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkpLqOmjMBXEwSRSMh2cuybfWydfpVsgxrgTgGnyvDt4Nmba5CSZwuflcX7r_aem_wxsXfUmz3p696iUojku0Yg

In the name of net zero and active travel speed limits across the ward, and on the arterial routes between the ward and Bristol and Bath, have been significantly reduced in another BaNES/Lib Dem attack on personal travel and freedom of movement. Link: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/consultation-a368-speed-limit-changes?utm_source=chatgpt.com

BaNES seek increased financial contributions from developers, which could provide home to school transport, GP surgeries, Early Years provision and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. BaNES a state that “development for private profit must be matched by tangible investment in our communities”. I fail to see how this will not push up development…

More development coming our way… Link: https://newsroom.bathnes.gov.uk/news/council-approves-parish-development-plan?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7ArYzIXwmgtiqkrQLKnijYTSpWyxAy1VGcvY1XohlV9xdE4tryT5LrWgCsSA_aem_LqUGiET5z30IO2tfMI4txA https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/high-littleton-and-hallatrow-neighbourhood-plan?

These are my personal views and recollections so please feel free to set me straight, comment etc. I attended the Liveable Neighbourhood Plan meeting yesterday evening, as a member of the public, and challenged BaNES staff over their Liveable Neighbourhoods plan. The meeting was well attended and the local community well represented. It was difficult…

Phil Harding, Head of Saltford Environmental Group has suggested that Bath relinquish its World Heritage status to ease the housing burden on nearby Saltford. He feels that Bath’s World Heritage status has made it harder to build new housing in the city at the expense of its neighbours. No. Just no. Bath has nonissue building flats for…

Soaring costs and lack of democracy again demonstrated by the Lib Dem led BaNES Council. Links: https://newsydneyplaceltn.paperform.co/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLoKqdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHnE6VbwTEVo3AWUwHGHh1mNpJ6nFWmu0jG4t5ur2Dcv2M5xP0bBXtqUaXYDD_aem_KLG7H1eHvVV9g733DYLVLg https://www.bathecho.co.uk/news/community/row-objectors-highlight-massive-rise-ltn-costs-111869/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLoKzlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHuTGqZhgd1vIcijtFQVvJj-KDaohdJxjxWH9XKJD28gzKVGrKGXiJUisNikX_aem_1xSYGSZFtIBMq5F_ysA4cQ

Our local MP Wera Hobhouse feels that tourists place “pressure” on the City of Bath, rather than acknowledging that Bath exists as it does, and is wealthy solely because of tourism. BaNES have voted for a Tourist Tax without saying how they will identify a tourist vs a local resident, how much it will be…

Lets be clear here. The Lib Dems are requesting council support for a scheme that they are not disclosing/explaining…

https://www.facebook.com/share/1PwSeayGL9/?mibextid=WC7FNe

BaNES still ignore the residents actual complaints, and use them to justify these measures. The road needs widening at the pinch point or LGVs and Buses prohibiting from the village. Instead all measures are aimed at either side of the pinch point and commercial development continues south of the village which will mean more large…

At 16 I couldn’t ride a moped in a straight line without falling off. I’d be happier if they returned voting age to 21. Links: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c93kkg37n3kt

It appears that the pendulum is reaching maximum displacement and common sense prevails. All of our public services should take note and remain impartial. Where attendance is necessary, smart dress and decorum are crucial in being seen as impartial. Just as it once was… Links: https://www.gbnews.com/news/linzi-smith-northumbria-police-gender-critical-pride https://freespeechunion.org/a-major-legal-victory-for-free-speech-and-impartial-policing/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/07/16/police-wrong-join-pride-march-judge-rules/

Be in no doubt, BaNES want a Tourist and Airbnb tax (short term lets). Meanwhile they’ll be making it more difficult and more expensive for tourists to enter the City and park…

More cycle lane madness. BaNES wasting money on cycle lanes that don’t go anywhere again! Link: https://app.bathnes.gov.uk/webforms/planning/details.html?refval=25%2F02114%2FLDO&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR7M4Shgk8rQvOGDauS2detSpOootufAAAlPzJFQto9s3zsytAnfltxhDMOk3A_aem_YpQcNMr9p5NyBsfgH7iijQ#documents_Section

Don’t worry. We have a few years for the Lib Dems to carry on with their vote losing policies and turn our little bit Reform blue too.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse visited Bath Ambulance Service on Friday 11.07.25 and the RUH A&E queues were absent. Can we book her in to visit more often please…

BaNES have agreed to introduce a TRO that removes even more of the available parking from streets across Bath, affecting car users, commuters and residents alike. This equates to the loss of around 125 on street parking spaces. The Lib Dem led Council takes yet another step to remove our freedoms to use personal transport…

Crumbling road surfaces tolerated because “net zero”; whilst pothole sized tarmac patches are added to pavements. This will undoubtedly lead to accidents/collisions which motorists can be blamed for justifying ever more restrictions on cars. Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/15ax6hMEAm/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Solar and wind are not the answer. We are eating up our natural habitats to gather energy from weak and unreliable sources. BaNES seem happy to destroy more agricultural and green belt land in pursuit of renewables. Have you ever thought about what happens to old and worn out solar panels? It’s worth looking up……

Thank you…

This is North Somerset rather than BaNES but I’m lost for words. We put up with pot holes because of net zero. Do any of our councils actually do what we pay them to do..? North Somerset Council is another Lib Dem led council despite the Conservatives having won more seats! The Lib Dems formed…

BaNES Lib Dems are anti personal transport, constantly raising the cost and inconvenience of using a private car in and around Mendip Ward. Emissions based parking charges, between £1.20-£1.80 are now used across the County and sadly becoming the norm. This could mean that poorer drivers with older cars will pay more than those who…

Reform UK took second place in the recent Mendip Ward by-election, but there’s no prizes for second place in politics. That isn’t going to stop us from working as the official local opposition to get a better deal for residents from BaNES. This blog is going to be one of the ways we stay in…

Residents are concerned about the safety of the bus stop in Temple Bridge, so I’ve raised it with BaNES and the new councillor Simon McCombe. Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1733378600055415/permalink/24088492350784054/ Update 8.7.25… Councillor Simon Mccombe, Liv Dems has agreed to meet residents to discuss further.

The liveable Neighbourhood plan for Temple Cloud is yet more evidence of anti-car policies by BaNES Lib Dem Council. The key takeaways are further reducing speed limits and placing a pedestrian crossing close to a junction, so as to increase the risk of accidents for which the motorist will doubtless be blamed. Please take the…

The Labour Government propose moving migrants out of Hotels and into HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation) paid for by the tax payer through Council Tax. The fear is that Council Tax will rise to fund this scheme taking more money from working people; whilst simultaneously reducing the available private rent housing stock and pushing rents…

Reform UK are growing fast and came 2nd overall in the recent Mendip Ward by-election. But there’s always room for good quality candidates. Could that be you…? https://www.reformparty.uk/apply?utm_campaign=20250704_mh_to_membersplus2&utm_medium=email&utm_source=reformuk

BaNES Council are set to waste more public money flying the flags of minority groups and foreign nations, and there’s a brief opportunity to comment on the planning. The Union Flag, and our National Flags are the only flags that need be flown on public buildings. They are inclusive and represent every citizen and our…

The BaNES Council Lib Dem majority have been discussing a tax on tourism, hotel stays and landlords providing short term lets. Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council stated in his newsletter, “Yesterday, I convened a discussion with fellow council leaders, Cllr Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council and Cllr Cameron Holloway,…

Thursday 3rd July 2025 saw a by-election take place within Mendip Ward, with the Liberal Democrat’s retaining their seat and maintaining their 40 seat majority on BaNES County Council. Of a total 2313 possible votes only 868 were cast. 1445 voters (approximately 63%) chose not to cast their vote at all. Reform = 191 Conservatives…