Most Recent Stories in Council

Residents are being asked for their views on proposals to further reduce waste and increase recycling in South Gloucestershire. The council has launched a three-month consultation on its draft waste management strategy for the period 2013-19. Proposals in the strategy include extending kerbside collection services to include mixed plastics and small electrical items, and introducing a more comprehensive recycling service for residents...

Council tax is set to be frozen for a third consecutive year in South Gloucestershire while the Living Wage will be introduced for low-paid council staff from October 2013. In the authority's first budget proposals since moving to a committee system last May, committee members recommended a budget of £189 million for 2013/14, with council tax for a Band D property to be set at £1,245.50. The proposals, which were agreed...

From South Gloucestershire Labour... South Gloucestershire's Labour Councillors have unveiled their budget priorities ahead of decision-making meetings later this month. This is the authority's first budget since it moved to a committee system last May, and proposals will be agreed at the Policy & Resources Committee next Monday (11th) before final endorsement at Council on 20 February. Despite a very difficult financial climate...

Measures to conserve energy by switching off street lights between midnight and 5am have reduced South Gloucestershire's annual carbon emissions by 12 per cent and are already saving approximately £90,000 in energy costs each year say the council. About 6,000 of the district's 29,500 street lights have been switched to part night operation since the scheme was adopted by the council in 2008. The scheme was implemented in...

Circadian Trust, the organisation that runs leisure services in South Gloucestershire, has announced changes to customer pricing following a 12-week consultation, which will come into effect from January 1, 2013. The amendments include an across-the-board increase for all non-concessions of 1% above RPI (Retail Price Index) for the next two years. Age-related and student concessionaries will receive a discount of up to 35% for most...

By Labour South Gloucestershire... The prospect of many more advertising boards in our towns and villages is set to become reality after a local council voted to allow advertising on its land, buildings and other assets like bus shelters and street lights. Councillors from South Gloucestershire Council's Policy & Resources committee have voted to allow advertising on its land, buildings and other assets to bring in around...

A two-week parking enforcement trial to help improve road safety at key locations including schools, bus stops and bus lanes was launched on Monday (17 September) in South Gloucestershire. The trial involves the use of a car which has been fitted with a camera and automatic number plate recognition technology to capture any parking infringements. Common examples of illegal parking include parking on zigzags outside schools which can...

There are currently 21 lucky lottery winners that have yet to come forward following last Friday's 100 millionaire draw. The Lottery operator Camelot said 79 winners of the 100 £1m prizes in the EuroMillions Millionaire Raffle draw have claimed their cash. This is the first time that lottery players have had 100 chances to scoop a million pound in one single draw. The Friday's special draw was held to mark the Olympics...

Organisers of South Gloucestershire Council's first Come and Try sports legacy event for people with physical and sensory impairments say it was an inspirational day. Adults and young people played wheelchair basketball, athletics, boccia, cricket, football, table tennis including polly bat and table cricket. These sports were run by experienced coaches from local clubs and sporting bodies. As well as talent spotting, they encouraged...

According to the latest census figures, more than 17,000 extra people now live in South Gloucestershire, compared with 10 years ago. This 7per cent increase takes the districts' population to 262,800, with the greatest proportion being 45 to 49 years olds (8.1per cent). The census, which was carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on 27 March 2011, counts everybody and describes society, helping put together a...