The South Glos Post

Payments for council services made through South Gloucestershire’s post offices and local shops have rocketed by 59 per cent in the last year, new figures reveal.

Despite strong opposition from Labour and Lib Dem councillors, the authority’s Conservative administration transferred its cash payments service out of council’s three offices and into the larger existing network of local shops and post offices.

This was done last year to give residents greater choice of payment locations closer to them, to support local businesses and to make savings that have since been re-invested into building the council’s fourth one-stop-shop in Patchway, which opened this summer.

But Labour and the Lib Dems voted against the plans.

New figures have now revealed that, prior to the changes in 2010, approximately 60,000 transactions were made for council services through local post offices and shops, but this year has seen the figure leap to 95,000, so an increase of about 35,000, or 59 per cent.

Only Conservatives are committed to helping local traders, says councillor »

Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

A number of voluntary groups have won a share of £125,000 in grants from South Gloucestershire Council.

The grants were allocated across all five local area forums – Frome Vale, Kings Forest, Severn Vale, Southern Brooks and The Chase – for projects which directly benefit the community.

Earlier this summer, the council increased the funding for these grants by £200,000 over four years, as part of its commitment to supporting community and voluntary groups.

Some of these include:

• More than £7,000 to enhance Charfield memorial hall and playing fields
• £1,000 to Thornbury Twins club for enhancements to their library and website project
• £1,500 towards café improvements at Grimsbury Farm, Kingswood
• More than £2,300 to refurbish the kitchen and office at Patchway Centre Pre-School and Tots group
• More than £1,700 to Bradley Stoke Community Radio Association for a community engagement programme
• £1,330 to South Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau to improve access for the disabled
• £2,000 to extend the village shop in Tytherington
• £2,500 to Staple Hill Regeneration Project

Example of the Big Society at work says councillor »

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Staple Hill’s ‘Christmas on the Hill’ Festival will be taking place this year on Saturday 10th December. The annual festival has become a firm fixture in Staple Hill and always promises to be a fun day for all the family.

Free entertainment takes place throughout the afternoon at venues around Staple Hill, however the highlight of the day is undoubtedly the parade of local groups and brass bands through the town centre at 1pm.

Labour councillor Shirley Potts has been organising the event since it started and has seen it go from strength to strength. Cllr Potts (Labour, Staple Hill) said:

“Christmas on the Hill is always a wonderful opportunity for the whole community to get together to kick off our Christmas festivities.  It is fantastic to see our local residents and visitors making the most of everything that Staple Hill has to offer.”

Chair of the Staple Hill Regeneration Partnership, Cllr Ian Boulton (Labour, Staple Hill), said:

“Christmas on the Hill plays an important part of our work to continue to develop Staple Hill’s reputation as a great place to live and work.  We’re looking forward to a festival that promises to be better than ever”

Sodbury Chamber of Commerce today announced it would be holding its annual Christmas Market on Saturday 10th December. Local farmers and producers are joining the town’s shopkeepers to offer shoppers a relaxing day out to help them prepare for Christmas.

An extended Farmers Market will run alongside gift and craft stalls offering visitors to the town an opportunity to look for unique ideas for presents and to shop for their mince pies and Christmas turkey.

Parking in the town is mostly free with a car park located to the rear of the High Street, in Wickwar Road.

Chipping Sodbury has a wealth of independent shops and visitors will always find somewhere to rest and refuel in any one of a number of welcoming public houses, restaurants and cafes.

The Christmas Market supports the Chamber’s ‘Shop Local, Shop Sodbury’ campaign with the message ‘Why shop anywhere else? Chipping Sodbury has all you need for a successful and enjoyable Christmas.’

More info: www.visitchippingsodbury.com