Mad housing targets scrapped

Louise Bray (pictured) has welcomed the news that the target to build thousands of houses on rural countryside in North East Somerset has been scrapped.

The new coalition government has thrown Labour’s plans out of the window, which could have seen 2,000 houses built at Newton St Loe with no consideration given to the views of local residents, or the effect if could have on amenities and services.

Louise, who spoke against the plans at a previous B&NES Council meeting, said:

“People living in their own communities should always be asked about what things they’d like, and not like, to see in their areas.
When the previous government introduced plans to build thousands of houses in North East Somerset none of us were consulted.
Thankfully, these plans have now been scrapped. I have seen the way the campaigners have relentlessly fought their corner in protecting the countryside. They can now breathe a huge sigh of relief.”

Under the previous government, a centrally imposed target was given to build 21,000 houses in B&NES by 2026.

Camerton School to remain open

Local campaigners and politicians have welcomed the news that Camerton Church Primary School is to remain open.

Concerns over the school’s future rose a few years ago when a review by B&NES Council’s education scrutiny panel noted the total number of children in the school was on the decline.
The same scrutiny panel though on Monday night voted to keep the school open, following a recommendation in a report presented to the panel.

Local Lib Dem campaigner Louise Bray is delighted with the news. She said:

“I know Camerton very well and have seen the way the local community supports the school in all sorts of ways.

For a number of years the number on roll at the school had declined, but thanks to the support of community groups, the Parish Council and the on site pre-school the numbers are on the rise.
Camerton School may be small, but it has a big role to play in village life.”

The decision follows a successful OFSTED report earlier in the year when the school was congratulated for its hard work in raising standards and providing a first class education to all its pupils.

Cllr Nathan Hartley (Lib Dem, Peasedown), the Shadow Cabinet Member for Children’s Services in B&NES, visited the school in January to see for himself what they’ve been doing and to congratulate them on their success. He said:

“The staff, under the leadership of Headteacher Keith Ford, have worked really hard to make Camerton a community school and provide a learning environment that is tailor-made to suit each child.

I was really impressed by the school and hopefully, when I visit again in the future, will see even more progress.

The scrutiny panel’s decision to keep the school open is good news for pupils, parents, staff and the whole community.”

Dance can help prevent fractures says Osteoporosis Society

Gail Coleshill, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, is supporting Dance in North East Somerset as a health and social activity.
She said:
“I was surprised to find that dance is recommended by the National Osteoporosis Society to prevent fractures. I visited them recently with my colleague Louise Bray to hear about the work they are doing locally at the Mineral Hospital and nationally to help prevent the disease.”
Gail and Louise Bray visited the Headquarters of the national Osteoporosis Society, whose President is the Duchess of Cornwall, to see how they are addressing the very serious issue of fractures caused by thinning of the bones. Although Osteoporosis afflicts more women it can affect men too. The fractures caused by Osteoporosis need hospital care and can lead to ongoing care problems for the sufferer. The Society is working with local health authorities to identify people at risk and try to put in some preventative measures.
Louise said:
“The recent fracture suffered by the Duchess of Cornwall, although not directly related to osteoporosis, because of her family history and link with the Society serves to remind us that the ongoing care of fracture patients is a serious matter. Preventative measures are seen by the Society as a better way of dealing with the health problems of osteoporosis.”
Apart from dancing a diet rich in calcium is one of the preventative measures recommended for the mainly older women who are identified as being at risk. Beer has recently been recommended but apparently it is the silicon within the water which is the element to help prevent Osteoporosis.

Why are we waiting?

Photo shows: Mike Rawlings, Louise Bray, Gail Coleshill, Rosemary Todd and residents in front of the Peasedown-bound bus stop.

Residents living in a small cul-de-sac in Dunkerton say they have been let down by Bath and North East Somerset Council after a broken promise five years ago.

The residents of Crossways Park do not have access to amenities or services in the village and rely on public transport to get them into Bath or Midsomer Norton.

Outside the cul-de-sac is a bus stop on the A367, bound for Peasedown St John. Unfortunately though, residents can rarely get to it because doing so means walking in the face of oncoming traffic at speeds of 50mph and more. Also there is a steep verge making it even more impossible if you are disabled.

Since 2005, residents have been asking B&NES Council to lay a small footpath leading to the bus stop – five years later though no action has been taken.

Frustrated resident Mike Rawlings says he and his neighbours were promised the footpath:

“The Council promised us five years ago a footpath, but despite years of waiting we have received nothing.

All we want is a small pathway that can get us safely out of our estate and to the bus stop.”

Prospective Lib Dem MP Gail Coleshill visited the affected residents recently to hear their concerns. She commented:

“It’s so frustrating that B&NES has promised to do something for these residents, but now they have been forgotten about because the Council doesn’t consider it a priority.

Why should these residents be treated any differently? They pay their Council Tax that is being wasted on transport projects elsewhere in the authority that no one wants.”

Local campaigner Louise Bray believes the Council has been wrong to have de-prioritised this scheme:

“It is a relatively small piece of work that would have a big impact on the lives of everybody living in this development.

Some of the residents are in poor health and two have died since this footpath was originally promised to them.

Once again this shows how the more vulnerable members of our rural communities are being sidelined. I am appealing to B&NES Council to take action on this before the financial year end.”

Gail Coleshill has written to the Traffic and Safety Department asking them to take action on this issue.

Street Surgery

Gail Coleshill, Prospective Lib Dem MP, and local campaigner Louise Bray will be holding a street surgery in Combe Hay on Tuesday 2nd February from 3.30pm.

Gail and Louise will be in the village to talk to residents, and help with any issues of concern.

Any residents of these streets who would like a visit can contact Gail on 01761 432923 or Louise on 01225 834673.

Bring empty properties back into use!‏

Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show that there are almost 600 empty properties currently in the Bath and North East Somerset Council area.

The properties, which have been uninhabited for more than six months, are located in places all over the district from Keynsham to Batheaston, and from Midsomer Norton to Peasedown St John.

The news comes at the same time that Conservative controlled B&NES Council has revealed proposals that could see an extra 15,000 additional house built in the authority by the year 2026.

Gail Coleshill, the Prospective Lib Dem MP for North East Somerset, has been an active voice against the housing building plans – particularly on the green belt. She said:

“If the Council can bring some of these empty properties back into use that would be a benefit in tackling the housing needs we have. Let’s first use some of these properties that already exist for new homes before we even think of building anymore.”

The Lib Dems want the council to more to do more to bring some of the boarded up properties in B&NES back into use.

Local campaigner Louise Bray believes that we need to adopt the same approach as Mendip District Council whereby landlords are offered grants, professional guidance on lettings, rent deposit schemes and private sector leasing.

Louise commented:

“If B&NES Council were to adopt the same approach as our colleagues in Mendip, many of these 600 properties could be brought back into use which would be a great help in providing much needed social housing.”

The Lib Dems first raised their concerns about the number of empty properties in the authority in November 2008 when Peasedown Councillor Sarah Bevan highlighted the issue at a meeting of the B&NES Full Council.

Following this, in January 2009, the Cabinet Member for Housing confessed at a public meeting to Councillor Nathan Hartley that he had no idea of the number of empty properties in B&NES.

The above photo shows Lib Dems Gail Coleshill and Louise Bray outside the old St Nicholas Junior School in Radstock, with has been empty for years. Gail and Louise want to see empty properties like this used for social housing.

Englishcombe Street Surgery

Gail Coleshill, Prospective Lib Dem MP, and local campaigner Louise Bray will be holding a street surgery in Englishcombe on Tuesday 5th January from 3.30pm.

Street surgeries are being increasingly used by Liberal Democrats all over the country to bring politics to local people. Gail said:

“It’s really important for politicians to take the time to visit people in their communities and listen to their concerns.”

Any residents of these streets who would like a visit can contact Gail on 01761 432923 or Louise on 01225 834673.

Street Surgery in Camerton

Street Surgery

Gail Coleshill, Prospective Lib Dem MP, and local campaigner Louise Bray will be holding a street surgery in Camerton on Tuesday 10th November from 3.30pm.

Street surgeries are being increasingly used by Liberal Democrats all over the country to bring politics to local people. Gail said:

“It’s really important for politicians to take the time to visit people in their communities and listen to their concerns.”

The Surgery will take place in The Daglands, Cambrook Close and Camerton Hill.

Any residents of these streets who would like a visit can contact Gail on 01761 432923 or Louise on 01225 834673.

Printed (hosted) by Google UK Ltd, 76 Buckingham Palace RoadLondon SW1W 9TQ. Published and promoted by Louise Bray on behalf of Gail Coleshill (Liberal Democrats) at 17 Waldegrave Terrace, Radstock, Bath, BA3 3EY, 01225 834673

Lib Dems Gail Coleshill and Louise Bray speak out against mass housing development

(Click on the image to watch the video)

Say NO to 2,000 homes next to Newton St Loe

This week, North East Somerset Liberal Democrats have published a special edition of 'Focus' with reference to B&NES Council's plans to build 2,000 homes next to Newton St Loe.

To read it click here.
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Gail Coleshill spearheads campaign to save the village mobile library service

Gail Coleshill, Louise Bray, and Cllr Neil Butters with school children in Wellow next to the mobile library service that could be axed.




Local campaigners including a parish councillor attended Thursday’s Safer Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel at the Guildhall in Bath, in order to express their concerns about the proposed review of the mobile library route.


Gail Coleshill representing the views of people living in the rural areas, said:


“I have been speaking to residents in the villages where there is shock and dismay at the proposals. Many users are elderly or have mobility problems and some parents with young children may not get the opportunity to take them to a library any other way.”


Local resident and campaigner Louise Bray told the committee how much she depended on the mobile library when she was unable to drive. She told the panel:


“It is no good relying on public transport to get you to the main library from Wellow village because there isn’t any. When I had an operation in my eye I could not drive and the mobile library was a Godsend for me. Staff were so helpful and were able to get me talking books.


There is an old English proverb that says a good book is the best of friends. For the people in the villages the mobile library is a friend, and a good friend is someone you might not see for a while, but is always there when you need them."


Gail has launched an online petition against the proposal to cut the service.

To sign visit: www.ourcampaign.org.uk/saveourlibraries



By signing, you will also be kept updated on the progress of the consultation and the campaign.



For a paper copy of the petition download one from the website, or contact Gail Coleshill on 01761 432923.