THIS month I would like to focus on a core value: giving everyone a fair and equal chance in life.

This drives our commitment to support the most vulnerable in our society, writes Cllr Kevin Guy, leader on Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Inequality is still a challenge for us in Bath and North East Somerset. Our area includes wealthier and less well-off areas, as well as pockets of deprivation.

From the earliest age, disadvantage narrows life chances. We want everyone to have equal access to opportunity, including education, jobs, housing, healthcare, clean air, green spaces, public transportation and culture.

Councils throughout the country have had their funding cut. Nevertheless, our 2026/27 Council budget funds our policies that seek to address inequalities. We will be pulling these policies together to make them more visible over the coming months. I would like to share a few examples.

Some of us may take living in a safe home and community environment for granted. Domestic abuse and violence can arise from and deepen disadvantage with the long-lasting impact it has on individuals and families.

We have allocated funding to strengthen the preventative work that stops harm before it happens, including interventions for those at risk of perpetrating domestic abuse - programmes that reduce repeat incidents and improve the outcomes for survivors. Prevention is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce long-term costs.

Our area is rich in heritage, which benefits us all economically. Heritage has the power to enlarge our horizons, building bridges within and across our communities. We are committed to ensuring that the heritage assets we care for are accessible to all, particularly those who are most disadvantaged.

Our Heritage Services team is helping us make this happen. All B&NES residents and schools can receive free admission to council-run heritage sites.

The Roman Baths Youth Forum improves access to careers in the heritage, archaeology, and museum sector for young people aged 16 to 25. With B&NES Children’s Services we offer work experience placements to care experienced young people, providing them with a unique and structured placement to develop their skills and interests.

We work with Bath Carers Centre, offering regular programming throughout the year, with a focus on respite and wellbeing. Sessions are offered to Carers (who tend to be adults) and Young Carers, aged 5-17.

We are initiating B&NES-wide work on tackling educational attainment gaps in our schools.

Tackling inequalities will take the level of aspiration we have applied to our approach to the climate emergency: factoring it into all the council’s decision-making. I look forward to keeping you updated as we make progress on this path.

Finally, I would like to draw your attention to financial support available to residents on a low income who are struggling with rising heating oil costs. This support is provided through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) for residents who have recently purchased heating oil, or who need to place an order but cannot afford to do so.