THIS New Year brings a new chief executive for Bath & North East Somerset Council, after Will Godfrey moved on following six years in post.

He led the organisation through challenging times with a strong focus on public service. I warmly thank Will and wish him all the best.

Our new chief executive Sophie Broadfield has extensive experience at senior level in local government and the Civil Service, most recently as B&NES director of sustainable communities. Sophie’s drive and commitment to unlocking more of our area’s potential are great assets, and I look forward to working with her in her new role.

Sophie takes over our financially sound, prudently managed organisation during budget setting season. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA), a major source of funding for many B&NES Council’s projects, finalises its budget this month; the council will finalise our budget in February.

We had excellent news just before year-end. The government announced a capital fund of some £3-billion over the next four years to help create at least 50,000 new places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in schools across England.

This vital funding will unlock the long-awaited new special and alternative provision schools we have been planning to build at the Culverhay site in the south of Bath: Green Ways Academy (special school) and Sulis Academy (alternative provision).

The schools are expected to provide 120 places for children with SEND in Bath and North East Somerset alongside 55 alternative provision places. The project has been on hold for the past 18 months while a government spending review took place. We have been lobbying government to fund the new schools, as some of our most vulnerable children must travel out of B&NES for education.

Meanwhile, Midsomer Norton children and their families will be able to travel to school more safely, thanks to new funding to improve walking routes. The Clapton Road and Redfield Road improvement scheme will enhance pedestrian safety between Longvernal Primary School, St John’s Church of England Primary School and Somervale School.

The scheme received a £500,000 grant from the Active Travel Fund 5 via WECA. Planned improvements due for construction this year include two new zebra crossings; wider, smoother pavements; improved pedestrian access into Somervale School; dropped kerbs and an extension of the 20mph speed limit. The council will work closely with the schools and residents as the scheme progresses.

Finally, a random sample of 700 residents gave the council a big thumbs up in the National Highways and Transport Network Satisfaction Survey. We came first out of 111 local authorities for how easy it is to report an issue. Our Park & Ride service scored second highest score in the country for the third year running.

Satisfaction with highway maintenance rose from eleventh to fourth place. The council is spending almost £10-million in 2025/26 on its highway services, £760,000 more than in 2024/25 and includes the recently completed £5.1-million resurfacing programme.

I wish you a healthy and fulfilling 2026.