The South Glos Post

South Gloucestershire Council says it is ploughing an additional £2.7million into more care for the elderly.

This increased funding could mean an extra 300 – 400 people are able to live at home longer, thanks to investment in initiatives such as an additional 1500 hours per week of home care which will be available to those who need it and is on top of the 10,000 home care hours already provided by the council.

Cllr Matthew Riddle, executive member for community care and housing, said: “Even as the council makes its contribution towards paying off the national debt, we are putting in the extra funding to help hundreds more older residents stay in their own homes for longer, so they can avoid going into residential care for as long as possible.

“Our aim with this extra funding is to provide a package of care that meets people’s very individual needs and this budget will allow us to do that.

“Whatever form the support takes, the additional funding is invaluable in helping us provide additional support for more people and their carers. At every step we aim to give people the maximum choice and control over what help they have.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Longwell Green residents, MP Chris Skidmore and local councillors Christine Price and John Calway are celebrating after saving the local Green Belt from being bulldozed by developers after a hard-fought community campaign.

The long-running campaign collected nearly 1,000 petition signatures and a protest demonstration was held with over 200 local residents turning up to show the strength of support for their local Green Belt.

The victory comes as an independent Planning Inspector dismissed an appeal for 83 houses on a Green Belt site at Williams Close, Longwell Green, following a four-day appeal hearing.

Cllr Christine Price (Con, Longwell Green), who attended the appeal hearing, welcomed the news:

“The tireless efforts of local residents made a huge difference in terms of demonstrating the strength of local feeling that there was against this hugely inappropriate application.”

“The Green Belt is there for a reason and I am pleased to see that the inspector has exposed as nonsense the developer’s claim that special circumstances existed for such a damaging development.”

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Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

Police have issued an appeal for the public’s help to find a vulnerable missing man in the South Gloucestershire area.

Peter Rowell aged 52 years of Wickwar, was last seen this morning at about 8:30am, when he left home for work as normal.

He did not turn up for work and concern increased when he could not be contacted.

Peter parked his car at Morrison’s supermarket in Yate.

Mr Rowell is described as a white man with white/silver coloured hair. He is 5ft 10ins of stocky build. He is possibly wearing brown coloured jeans and a white shirt.

He is thought to be depressed, following the death of a close relative.

The missing man is well known in the Bristol area through his job as an afternoon presenter on BBC Radio Bristol. He previously worked for GWR Radio and ITV West (formerly HTV West).

Police would like Peter, or anyone spotting him to contact them. Anyone with information is asked to contact Staple Hill police station on 0845 4567000 or call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

South Gloucestershire Labour has launched its campaign for the 70 seats on the district council that are up for election on Thursday 5th May.

The theme of Labour’s manifesto is that the Party will be the community’s voice in the tough times ahead. It outlines the Con Dem Coalition’s harsh treatment of local government, the litany of broken Tory promises and gives five pledges to local voters.

Launching the Manifesto, Leader Councillor Roger Hutchinson (Labour, Filton) said:

“The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats support massive cuts in council services and their government is taking millions of pounds away from South Gloucestershire. We need to make it clear to voters that only Labour will speak up for local people against this government and the destruction it is causing.”

Councillor Hutchinson continues:

“We will not be able to afford all that needs to be done for local people, so the key job of the next council will be prioritising and defending services. The big difference between us and the other parties is that we believe in the value of public services and recognise the damage that deep cuts will do. By electing Labour councillors, South Gloucestershire voters will have a first line of defence against savage cuts and the wholesale outsourcing of council services.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Labour