We are in the final stages of signing off the Council’s budget and this year we face significant challenges due to inflationary pressures and an increase in demand for our services. This is especially so in the costs of providing vital Adults’ and Children’s services, which so many vulnerable people in our community depend on.

As you will expect, many other Councils are increasing Council Tax, whilst at the same time making significant cuts to jobs and services. This is not our approach in B&NES. We are increasing Council Tax by well below the rate of inflation. 

We’ve managed our finances well over recent years and, through making savings and increasing our income, we are confident the majority of residents won’t notice any change to the Council services we all rely on.

One of the things we are proposing in the budget is an increase of £280,000 in our funding for local bus services, a 36% increase. 

This will allow us to ease the transition to the Metro Mayor’s proposed “demand responsive” services by supporting five bus services for two months in areas where this will operate from April.

We have also continued to lobby the Mayor to confirm funding new spinal bus routes, using the £50million Bus Service Improvement Plan fund he has at his disposal. These routes would ensure bus provision for Chew Valley, Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Timsbury and would complement the demand-responsive transport scheme.

I have also pressed the Mayor to urgently provide more details about the demand-responsive scheme itself, which is planned to launch in a matter of weeks. 

We need more information on how the scheme will be delivered, when exactly it will be introduced, how the app will work, progress on securing vehicles and recruiting drivers, and other key information, including his plans to raise public awareness of the new service. This would allow us to reassure our communities about the details of the plans and respond to queries we have received.

One year on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine it is hard to comprehend what Ukrainian families have faced and continue to face. 

So many people across Bath and North East Somerset have helped and this support is very much still needed. 

If you think you could become a host for the Homes for Ukraine scheme, please get in touch with us at: [email protected].

Finally, with the inflation rate continuing at over 10%, I would like to emphasise again what is available to households and businesses to help us through the cost of living crisis. 

Council libraries are offering a “warm welcome”, and you can find a list of other local “warm spaces” on our website: www.bathnes.gov.uk/warmspaces. 

At time of writing, fifty spaces have signed up, including in the Chew Valley and Somer Valley areas, and my thanks go to all those who have done so.

Please also remember the key message is “Help is out there” in the shape of our Community Wellbeing Hub, which can be contacted on 0300 247 0050.

Kevin Guy