The South Glos Post

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fight in the street between two men at around 1am on Friday, December 18 in Warren Road, Filton.

One of the men, a 38-year-old, suffered a broken ankle during the scuffle and needed an operation at Frenchay Hospital.

The second man, aged 30, has been arrested on suspicion of assault and causing criminal damage to a car, and has been bailed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Staple Hill police on 0845 456 7000. Or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative transport chief is reminding residents that they have seven days to respond to Government plans to slash the district’s bus budget by £340,000.

The funding cut is proposed as part of plans announced recently by the Department for Transport (DfT) to change the distribution of funding for the national concessionary travel scheme for the 2010/11 financial year. At £340k, this is the biggest loss for any council outside London.

This unexpected cut is despite the fact that 2010/11 will be the third year of a supposedly three year funding settlement that was designed to provide certainty for councils.

The national concessionary travel scheme, which provides free bus travel for older residents, should be government-funded, however South Gloucestershire Council already has to use £1.1m of local money to support the scheme.

A further £340k cut in central funding would take the annual shortfall up to nearly £1.5m.

The Government has been criticised for failing to publicly reveal the methodology that has been used to arrive at the £340K figure.

Cllr Brian Allinson, South Gloucestershire’s Conservative transport chief, is encouraging residents to respond to the consultation, saying:

“Despite our attempts, the Government has still not been able to properly explain why our district has been picked out for especially harsh treatment and we are continuing to press the Government to publicly reveal the formula and data they have used to arrive at their funding cut.

Not only are we already one of the lowest funded councils of our kind in the country, but South Gloucestershire council tax payers are already forking out £1.1m to support what is supposed to be a nationally-funded scheme.

Ministers are simply planning to rob Peter again to pay more to Paul.”

He added:

“I know it is a big ask, but if residents are able to find a spare moment over the busy Christmas and New Year period, then I would encourage them to respond to the DfT consultation before it formally closes on 30 December, so we can demonstrate the strength of local feeling there is on this important issue.

Personal responses from individual residents have a powerful role to play in complementing and strengthening the council’s own robust response that opposes the Government’s plans.”

The DfT consultation closes on 30 December 2009 and consultation response forms can be downloaded from the DfT website.

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

Police appeal for information following an incident involving criminal damage to a vehicle.

At around 2.45pm on Tuesday, December 1, a 37 year-old woman was travelling in a Ford Mondeo along the Bromley Heath Road in Downend, when she beeped her horn at a cyclist, who she claims was obstructing her.

When she later stopped at traffic lights, she claims the cyclist smashed her car window before cycling off towards Emerson’s Green on the cycle track.

The offender is described as a white male, around 6ft tall, with short curly fair hair. He was believed to be aged between 30 and 40 years old and was wearing a high visibility long sleeved jacket and dark, slim-fitting trousers.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident should contact Police in Staple Hill on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The NHS in South Gloucestershire is advising local people to look after themselves this festive season with a few simple steps:

1. stock up on over the counter remedies and any prescriptions;
2. find out what local NHS services are open; and
3. attend the one most appropriate for your needs.

Be prepared

Dr Chris Payne, Director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire, said: “This is not an exciting message but nothing can ruin your festive season quite as quickly as a bout of illness.”

“Winter brings more coughs, colds and flu so it is a good idea to be prepared and to make sure you have paracetamol and other over the counter remedies to hand. If you need a regular prescription for a long term condition, please check now to make sure that you have enough to tide you over the holiday period.”

Where to go for what

If you or a member of your family does become ill over the festive period you will need to know the most appropriate place to go.

Dr Chris Payne said: “This is really important. By choosing the right facility for your needs you will cut down on the amount of time it takes to receive advice or treatment. A&E might be the first thing that springs to mind for some people but in fact there are many more appropriate services available over the Christmas period where you are likely to be treated much more quickly. You can ring your GP surgery or the out of hours service or visit the new GP-led health centre in Kingswood which is open from 8am to 8pm every day of the year.”

Juliette Hughes, Clinical Matron for the Accident & Emergency Department at Frenchay Hospital, said: “The A&E department at Frenchay Hospital is likely to be extremely busy over the Christmas period caring for people with serious conditions. In order to get the most effective help, members of the public should think about whether it is more appropriate to seek help from their GP or use one of the other health services such as NHS Direct, the GP-led health centre or the Minor Injuries Unit at Southmead Hospital which is open from 9am until 9pm every day of the year.”

Related link: Medical advice and pharmacy opening times for the 2009/2010 Chritsmas and New Year holiday period