A model gorilla created to celebrate Bristol Zoo’s 175th birthday has been stolen from Old Sodbury. ‘Godfrey’ is owned by Old Sodbury School and is part of Bristol Zoo’s Wow! Gorillas project. Several local businesses led by David Anthony of Cotswold Edge Farm helped to fund Godfrey on behalf of the school. “I am extremely upset that someone could even
Continue readingMonth: August 2011
Council offers discount at under-used Stoke Gifford park & ride
South Gloucestershire commuters can ‘dial and park’ for a special discount price at the new park & ride facility off Hunts Ground Road in Stoke Gifford (close to Bristol Parkway Station). During September, all commuters who use their mobile phone to pay for parking will be charged just £2 per day, plus normal text charges – a saving of £3
Continue readingMeeting to be held over Filton Airfield closure
A local campaign group is to hold a meeting this week to discuss the implications of the planned closure of Filton Airfield. It follows the news that the Great Western Air Ambulance service (GWAA) has written to South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) expressing concern about the ability to provide a rapid response service to the Bristol area if it is forced
Continue readingFree cardboard recycling bags available for collection
South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) is now making it even easier for people to recycle their cardboard waste by providing local residents with a free bag. The reusable recycling bags for cardboard have been delivered to local libraries, leisure centres and a wide range of local community outlets, from where they are now available for residents to collect. Executive Member for
Continue readingSouth Gloucestershire allocated government funding for broadband
The Government has announced today (16th August) that the West of England (South Gloucestershire, Bath & North East Somerset and Bristol) has been allocated £1.4 million as part of a £530 million nationwide funding programme to deliver the Government’s ambition to create the best superfast broadband network in Europe. The private sector is due to take superfast broadband to around
Continue readingLabour’s Filton Airfield campaign takes shape
The campaign by local people and politicians to resist moves to close and develop Filton Airfield is beginning to take shape. South Gloucestershire’s Labour Group, which recently outlined its opposition to the closure in its response to a council ‘position statement’ consultation, has now set up an online petition and is encouraging likeminded residents to sign it. The petition is
Continue readingCouncillors concerned about impact of new technical college on existing schools
South Gloucestershire’s Conservative administration has come under pressure to say what impact a new college might have on neighbouring schools. Labour councillors representing the Filton and Patchway areas are seeking assurances about future educational provision following the recent bid for a University Technology College (UTC) for 14 to 19 year olds to be located on land adjoining Abbeywood Community School.
Continue readingLabour accused of opposing SGC bureaucracy cuts
Local Conservatives are claiming that opposition councillors are fighting against moves to reduce the number of directors at South Gloucestershire Council (SGC). Press release from the Conservative Group on SGC As part of a council-wide restructuring, it has been estimated that £175k will be saved if the council’s Planning & Transport department merges with the Communities department to form an
Continue readingLabour outlines position on Filton Airfield
Labour councillors have submitted their formal response to South Gloucestershire Council’s (SGC’s) consultation on the Filton Airfield Position Statement, a proposed addition to SGC’s Core Strategy document. The need for a statement has come about because of BAE’s announcement that it plans to close the airfield at the end of 2012, and the government-appointed Planning Inspector’s demand for references to
Continue readingBroadband provision for South Gloucestershire
A statement from South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) on the state of their relationship with Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), the government agency tasked with delivering fast broadband to the ‘final third’ of the country by 2015. South Gloucestershire Council is committed to ensuring that all residents and businesses have access to fast, reliable and affordable broadband, and the social and economic
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