The South Glos Post

Conservative councillors on South Gloucestershire Council have welcomed the pledge by the new Coalition government to ‘rapidly’ scrap the previous Labour Government’s controversial Regional Spatial Strategies.

The pledge was contained in the Coalition’s ‘Our Programme for Government’ document published on Thursday 20th May.

The South West Regional Spatial Strategy (SWRSS) had proposed huge new urban extensions in order to accommodate 32,800 new houses in South Gloucestershire – plans that caused uproar amongst residents and councillors.

Last year, South Gloucestershire’s Conservative councillors submitted a Sustainable Communities Act proposal to abolish regional planning, including the government’s RSS. But Labour Ministers simply sat on the proposal and took no action.

Efforts to scrap the RSS have been made in an effort to discourage speculative planning applications, in areas such as Chipping Sodbury and Oldland Common.

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Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

The new Chairman of South Gloucestershire Council has been appointed during lat Wednesday’s (19th May) meeting of full Council.

Cllr Janet Biggin (Conservative), who represents the Downend ward, was sworn in during an official ceremony at Kingswood Civic Centre and named Frenchay After Burns Children’s Club as her official charity for the year.

Cllr Biggin will be joined by Cllr Sheila Mead as Vice Chairman and takes over the role of chair from Cllr Shirley Holloway, who said: “I can’t believe a whole year had passed already. It has been the most amazing and the busiest year of my life.”

Shirley, a former PE teacher, attended around 200 engagements over the year including awards ceremonies, church services and special events such as a parade in Kingswood to commemorate Armed Forces Day, Badminton horse trials and Fairford air show.

And she also welcomed around 200 new citizens to South Gloucestershire during her favourite type of civic engagements, carrying out the Citizenship Ceremonies.

Cllr Holloway added: “One of the greatest aspects about the role of the chairman is being able to say thank you to residents for all the tireless voluntary work they do and the chair’s annual community awards is a great opportunity to do this. It’s something I really enjoyed because I got to hear about and meet so many wonderful people who give up their free time to help out in their communities.“

Two charities benefited from her time in office – the Alzheimer’s Society and BRACE – which will share the £4,500 raised.

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Police are appealing for help identifying a man who approached a teenage girl near a school.

The incident happened at 8.10am on Friday 14 May in Bristol. The victim, a 14-year-old girl, was walking from the Badminton Road playing field along the lane towards the back of Downend School. She was approached by a man who grabbed her arms and told her not to be scared but the victim was able to kick the suspect and ran off towards the playing field.

The suspect is described as white, around 30-years-old, 5’10″ tall, big build and with very pale skin. He was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up and black trousers.

Investigating the incident, DC Helen Holt said: “The victim reacted quickly and was able to get away but it was still a scary incident for her. Incidents such as this are rare and we have launched an investigation to identify the person responsible.”

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Source: Avon and Somerset Police

Police in South Gloucestershire are appealing for information after a 04-plate green Ford Ranger was damaged in the car park of B&Q in Yate.

At around 3.30pm on Wednesday, May 12, the left-side wing mirror and the side panel on the vehicle were damaged.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was involved in an earlier altercation on Station Road, Yate and it’s believed that this could be linked to the damage.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed either incident. Anyone with information should contact police in Staple Hill on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 17-year-old man has been arrested and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police