The following was sent by email from a ‘BRSLI member’

‘The Bath Central Library is under threat of closure, with just a part of the service being still available, at Manvers Street.

Possible view of the new library set up.

This will mean not just the loss of a library in which to sit and read (the reading room will go), but the loss of a space for Bath residents living on the North side (BA1) in which they are able to browse and look at books physically since the shelf space will also be drastically reduced.

It is up to the residents of Bath to fight for their library and have it stay in its current central and accessible place, so please leave your comments on the feedback forms available in the library.’

Jean Pile writes from Bear Flat in Bath:

‘I was interested to see The Corridor mentioned recently. I remember it well when I was growing up in Bath – a very busy arcade with lots of well attended shops.

The Corridor in Bath

The most prominent one was Hatts a large, very smart hairdresser’s, taking up quite a continuous space on the left of the Corridor walking from the Guildhall end.

Northumberland Place.

Northumberland Place, by comparison in those days – the 1950s/60s – was a fairly ordinary street, quite the opposite to the Corridor. There was a plant shop at one end with W.H. Smith at the other, now Patisserie Valerie as mentioned.’

Nominations for The Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Community Awards have officially opened.

The awards, recognise volunteers, community leaders, community organisations, carers and local businesses for the positive impact they make on others and the wider community.

Chair of B&NES, Cllr Cherry Beath.

Council Chair, Cllr Cherry Beath, may identify one or more individuals or groups from the nominations received to present a ‘Special Award’.

Cllr Beath said: “I am delighted to promote these important awards, Nominations are open until Friday 1st December. From those nominations I will then identify one or more individuals or groups to receive an award.

“I am grateful to the organisations working with me including The Volunteer Centre, Bath and beyond, social housing provider Curo, the Student Community Partnership (universities in Bath), and Sirona care & health, and we welcome Virgin Care as a new Partner for this year’s awards. There are so many outstanding groups and individuals working in our Community, and they are all to be applauded.”

Nominations are open until Friday 1^st December, the Chair will then identify one or more individuals or groups to receive an award.

The Awards are organised annually in partnership with the Volunteer Centre Bath and beyond; social housing provider Curo; the Student Community Partnership (involving the University of Bath and Bath Spa University students unions) and Sirona care & health.  The Chair is also delighted to welcome a new partner for this year’s Awards, Virgin Care.

• Volunteer of the Year / Young Volunteer of the Year
• Volunteer Leader of the Year / Young Volunteer Leader of the Year
• Volunteer Team or Organisation of the Year/ Young Volunteer Team or Organisation of the Year
• Good Neighbour of the Year / Neighbourhood Team of the Year / Young Neighbour or Young Neighbourhood Team of the Year
• Carer of the Year / Young Carer of the Year
• The Peter Duppa-Miller Lifetime Achievement

Category 2 – Business in the Community Award

This award will recognise a socially responsible business which actively supports its local community in positive activities.

The Chair may also identify one or more individuals or groups from the nominations received to present a ‘Special Award’.

Julie Thallon, Interim Managing Director at Virgin Care, said: “We are delighted to be a partner for the Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Chair’s Community Awards in recognition of the invaluable contribution that volunteers and community champions make in improving and developing their local communities.”

Mike Plows, Volunteer Centre, said: “Being a part of the Awards again this year is a great honour.  We have so many inspirational people in our community that give up their time to help and support others, it is a wonderful opportunity to recognise their efforts, talents and commitment.”

Simon Knighton, Chairman of Sirona care & health, said: “We are delighted to continue our association with these awards which recognise some of the fantastic work going on in our communities.  Our services in Bath and North East Somerset – Residential Homes, extra care schemes and our Community Equipment service – benefit hugely from being a part of their local communities and see daily many acts of great kindness that make a big difference to individuals.”

Vanessa Collier, Community Development Manager at Curo, said: “Curo is delighted to be a partner in recognising the outstanding work of individuals and groups volunteering their time and expertise out in our local communities across Bath & North East Somerset, we should be extremely proud and honoured of each and every one who is nominated.”

Peter Lambert, Chair of the Student Community Partnership said: “The Chair’s Awards are an excellent initiative that rewards contributions to the local community. The recipients are an inspiring example to others and should be proud of their achievements.”

Full details and nomination forms are available online at:

www.bathnes.gov.uk/communityawards

Alternatively, you can email Strategy_performance@bathnes.gov.uk, call 01225 396594 or write to The Chair’s Office, Bath & North East Somerset Council, The Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW. The deadline for nominations is Friday 1^st December, 2017.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is asking local people for their help to draw up a new pattern of council wards for Bath and North East Somerset Council.

The consultation is the first part of an electoral review which will re-draw ward boundaries across the council area.

The current wards within B&NES

The Commission has also announced that it is minded to recommend that the council should have 59 councillors in the future: six fewer than the current arrangements.

The Commission now needs information from people and groups across Bath and North East Somerset to help it to produce a new pattern of wards to accommodate 59 councillors.

In drawing up new boundaries, the Commission aims to deliver electoral equality for voters in council elections so that each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters. The review also aims to ensure that the new council wards reflect, as far as possible, the interests and identities of communities across Bath and North East Somerset.

Professor Colin Mellors, Chair of the Commission, said: “We are asking local people and organisations to help us draw up new wards for Bath and North East Somerset. As we develop the recommendations, we will take into account local community identities as well as ensuring electoral equality for voters.

“If you have a view about which communities or neighbourhoods should be part of the same council ward, then we want to hear from you. And if you think a road, river or railway makes for a strong boundary between communities in your part of Bath and North East Somerset, then this consultation is for you. Alternatively, if you’re simply interested in the way the council is run, just log on to our website to explore our interactive maps and have your say.

“Your views will make a difference.

“We will carefully consider all evidence that is provided during this phase of the review whoever it is from and whether it applies to the whole of Bath and North East Somerset or just a small part of the council area.

“Residents will then have a further chance to have their say after we publish our draft recommendations in December.”

Local people have until 2 October to submit their views. Further information on the review and interactive maps of the existing wards can be found at consultation.lgbce.org.ukand www.lgbce.org.uk.