Fwd: WHPC Report for 8/7/24

Dave Wood, 7/7/24

Apologies for the meeting clash for the July meeting, which has happened a lot this year between budget meetings, work meetings, the AGM, etc.  It’s been a stretching first half to the year with the extra-challenging budget and aftermath, then into purdah for the General Election and therefore now an intensive period of getting several months of business through between the General Election and the end of July before people go off for summer.

I am grateful for your patience and forbearance in these unusual times and hope that after this month things return to something more like normal!

You will, of course, know that the budget was successful in securing money for this year for speeding schemes in West Harptree, given that it’s happened.

If there is any feedback on how this is working do let me know.

I have kept up to date on the correspondence between Jon and the Planning Dept.  I hope the latest reply was helpful but as is often the case with planning there are nuances that don’t always come through on email.

I’d like to offer to set up a call with Jon to explore this, which I feel would be helpful.

I enjoyed the litter pick in West Harptree and it is a standing offer to arrange equipment, etc.

Thank you for the note about limiting rubble drops and encouraging builders to dispose of rubble at recycling centres.  Although this brings us in line with neighbouring authorities it’s a sad though necessary step that I resisted when in that portfolio.  The budget setting process was gruelling this time and such decisions were needed.

If it’s any reassurance the builders can take the rubble to the Pixash recycling centre, but does need to be paid to drop.

A resident got in touch about an inappropriate height of a new Curo fence in the village.  They were due to reduce the height by the end of last week but I gather have not done so yet.  We are chasing them to ensure this happens.

A resident got in touch about the high cost of closing a footpath to erect scaffolding.  We looked into this in depth but these fees are not discretionary and are lower than in other Council areas.

I have received a single report about the ASB issues previously discussed.  If anyone has any information they would like to share please do let me know.

You will have seen the outcome of the A368 speed limit review.  This does not appear to impact directly on West Harptree.

The North East Somerset Active Travel Plan consultation is due to launch on 9/7/24, and someone will be in touch soon if they have not been already.

Based on the first draft that’s going out to consultation this looks like a very ambitious, long-term plan for providing the infrastructure to encourage walking and cycling.  As funding is gradually increasing for active travel this should put B&NES in a good position to bid for future funding rounds.

Active travel can often feel more remote a concept in the Chew Valley but the plan underlines the need for 20mph zones (which of course West Harptree already has) but also specifically highlights the lack of pavement between West Harptree and East Harptree as something to address in this long-term plan.

As you will know following the General Election on Thursday we now have three MPs in B&NES (2 LD, 1 Lab).  The old North East Somerset was split into three parts.  West Harptree’s constituency is by population half of the old NES and half suburban Bristol/South Gloucs.

The new MP is also WECA Mayor as you know, and has made it known he will stay on as WECA Mayor until the regularly scheduled elections in May 2025.