5/11/2020:

The latest details from the government: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

For groups allowed to operate under the new restrictions, the Hall will remain open to covid secure organisations.

24/7/2020:

The Parish Council have agreed in their July meeting to partially open the village hall to allow organisations that are COVID-19 secure to hire the venue. These organistation need to provide a risk assessment to demonstrate that they are able to comply with government guidelines. A draft guide as been published pending final approval of the Council, which can be reviewed here: http://www.templecloud.org.uk/covid-19-hall-risk-assessment-for-hirers/

17/3/2020:

Following the government advice on codonavirus to avoid unnecessary social contact and to avoid gathering in groups, we are temporarily closing the village hall. We appreciate how difficult this situation is for our hirers and the local community and we ask our hirers to refer to and follow the government guidelines. We will review the situation regularly to see when it is suitable to reopen.

Booking fees can be returned without any cancellation fees. You may also postpone your refund and booking to a future date. If you ask us to postpone, the offer of a refund still stands if you still have to cancel due to the coronavirus situation.

The Hall will be made available for meetings or events necessary to assist with efforts to alleviate the effects of the virus outbreak.

When the circumstances improve, we would very much welcome your bookings again. If it will help, you are also welcome to make future provisional bookings to reserve the date on the same understanding that if they need to be cancelled due to government guidelines, we will not require payment.

We would insist that all users of the hall consider their usage and act with regard to the health and wellbeing of their groups and the community.

What to do if you think you might have coronavirus symptoms

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19); a high temperature and/or a new, continuous cough, the NHS advice is to:

– stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started (this action will help protect others in your community while you are infectious)

– plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home- ask your friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home

– stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible.

– sleep alone, if that is possible- wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water.

– stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible

– you do not need to call NHS111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact NHS 111 online. https://111.nhs.uk/

If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999
More information on: ‘Staying at Home’ can be found by clicking this link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-people-with-confirmed-or-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Many thanks for your continued help in this matter.
B&NES Council Public Health Team

An award-winning counter terrorism training course is being made available to the public for the first time and Avon and Somerset Police want you to sign up and help protect the UK.

Devised by CT officers and security experts, the ACT Awareness eLearning package was previously only available to staff working in crowded places like shopping centres and entertainment venues.

Now Counter Terrorism Policing has decided to open up the training to anyone who wants to become a CT Citizen so they can learn how to spot the signs of suspicious behaviour and understand what to do in the event of a major incident.

The programme was originally devised in partnership with retail giant Marks and Spencer – and participants needed to be signed up by their employers. Today the online learning is available free of charge to anyone who wants to take part.

The decision to offer the training to the public was not made in response to the recent attack in London. However, the tragic events which took place just days ago, when two people lost their lives to terrorism, were a stark reminder of the ongoing threat and the need for vigilance.

Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Cullen said: “ACT Awareness eLearning is especially useful for anyone working in or regularly visiting crowded places. Developed alongside industry experts more than one and a half million modules have already been completed. The course has been so popular, with nine out of 10 users saying they would recommend it, we want to open it up to as many people as possible.

“The threat level remains at Substantial – meaning an attack is likely – so giving everyone the chance to be extra eyes and ears for police and local security teams help to keep all communities across the Avon and Somerset area safe. The festive period is obviously a very busy one – so this is a good time to join up and become a CT Citizen.”

ACT Awareness is made up of seven modules that take a few minutes each to complete. You can pause and re-join at any time. In total it takes just 45 minutes – so less than an hour of your time could help to prevent an attack or help save lives if one was to happen.

The course is hosted by online training specialists Highfield. To register your name and start learning, copy and paste the following link into your web browser: https://ct.highfieldelearning.com/

Dear resident,

As I’m sure you may be aware. The Villages along the A37 & A39 have been targeted by thieves during the nights. This has also extended out into Timsbury. They have targeted Vans particularly for their tools. One of the types of Vans being targeted are Ford Transit. Victims are reporting that their tools have been taken. But can’t see any signs of how the van has been opened / entered? It’s suggested that a skeleton key is being used on the Ford Transit models. Other makes like Peugeot, Renault, Nissan & VW have also been targeted but we’re not aware of any of those being targeted with a skeleton key. A Ford Transit on a 2007 registration was taken without the keys being present, likely to be a skeleton key used. Your local Beat Team have the following advice.

Vehicle Security

It might sound obvious, but make sure you lock the doors and shut the windows whenever you leave your van unattended. We have had reports of thefts from vans during the daylight along the A37 when victims have been at work with their van nearby. It literally takes a thief seconds for an opportunity. Never leave any valuables visible – keep ALL possessions out of sight. That includes power leads, Satnavs & mounts, coins, sunglasses, clothing or bags. Even if you know that there is nothing valuable in your jacket pocket or file left on your seat. A thief may try their luck. Whenever possible park in a lit area that is covered by CCTV. If the vehicle is parked outside of your property or driveway consider installing CCTV on your property. Remove your tools from your van when left over night. If that’s not possible fit a tool safe and ensure it is fully secured with good quality locks. Engrave or mark tools and their boxes. Ideally mark them overtly with paint pens and then seal down the marking with a clear lacquer spray. Mark property with the name of your company, the postcode, house or building name or number. Items that are overtly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on. Fit additional external locks to van doors. If your van is older, consider fitting new locks that are more difficult to compromise. Ensure your alarm or immobiliser is set. There are various alarms on the market. However a small standalone PIR shed type alarm with a texting facility or personal attack alarm can be very loud when triggered, and will act as a deterrent and let you know that your vehicle has been entered. Use an approved steering lock or gear clamps Vehicles fitted with a smart or passive key are susceptible to relay theft. This key system allows you to gain entry and start your vehicle without the need to interact with your vehicles key. Criminals use specialist equipment that has the ability to grab the signal from the car to the smart key so that it appears to the car that the key is present. Your vehicle is most vulnerable overnight, particularly if parked on your driveway or directly outside of your home.

How to prevent this?

When not in use – either at home or when out and about – store your keys in a security pouch. Security pouches are sometimes termed Faraday bags or signal blockers/shields and there are many security rated versions on the market. These pouches will prevent the signal from your vehicle being captured using electronic devices. Remember to secure both keys in a security pouch.

Number Plate Thefts

We’re still receiving reports of thefts of the number plates from the victim’s cars. It’s highly likely that the plates will be fixed to another vehicle and that vehicle will be used for criminal offences. It’s important if you’re the victim of such an offence to report it so that our database can be adjusted to identify when stolen plates are being used. To prevent this you can fit theft resistant number plate fittings. Use one-way clutch head screws to secure plates.

Motorcycle / Moped Security

There have been reports of attempted thefts of motorbike / moped in Farrington Gurney. Keep your motorcycle / moped in a garage, shed or use a motorcycle cover. Storing it out of view is one of the best ways to prevent opportunist theft. Invest in good quality security. Lock your motorcycle / moped to something. Just using a chain & lock around the frames and wheels means a thief could just carry the bike away. Loop a chain around a sturdy fixed object. Avoid street signage. Some are not very high and lighter bikes could be lifted over the top of the post. Lock the rear wheel to an immovable object or ground anchor and use a disk lock on the front wheel. Making your motorcycle/moped less of an easy option will reduce the chances of it being targeted. Combine the use of a disk lock and a chain lock attached to a ground anchor. Where possible keep the lock off the ground. Whenever you lock and chain the rear wheel, wrap any excess chain around the rear wheel and try to enclose the lock. Keeping the lock off the ground can prevent it being attacked and smashed. Consider fitting a lock that has an added alarm fitted upon tampering. Choose a high quality chain at least 16mm thick as they are almost impossible to cut with bolt croppers. Quality chains of this are also much harder to cut using power tools. To work out what length of chain you need. Use a piece of rope through the intended route then measure the length of rope used. Do not buy a chain longer than you need. Leaving any length of chain, especially one with longer links, lying on the floor makes it vulnerable to attack. Be mindful that even 1 metre of 16mm chain will weigh 4.5kg so you will need a tail box or pannier. Avoid cable locks. Few offer any deterrent it is easy to cut them with a basic cable cutters, hacksaws and even wire-cutters.

Caravan Security

There have been reports of caravans being taken from addresses in Farrington Gurney & Emborough. Fit physical security and a caravan cover. The combination of hitch lock anti-theft, wheel clamp and ground anchor. A physical barrier to theft is always a clear deterrent. Using a caravan cover and installing an alarm makes any theft more difficult and your caravan less attractive. Register record and property mark all parts of the caravan or trailer. Register your caravan or trailer with the Central Registration & Identification Scheme (CRIS) and use overt and covert chips to mark it. If stolen it may have its number plates, chassis, frame or CRIS numbers removed. Take photos, including specific fittings, marks or damage as these can help to identify your caravan or trailer. Install an alarm and tracking system, including roof markings. If stolen being able to identify your caravan or trailer is vital. Add clear roof markings, giving the year of manufacture and CRIS number, to assist the Police in identifying your caravan.

Shed / Garage Security

There have been reports of garages being targeted taking expensive mountain bikes, child’s motorbike and fishing equipment. Most common things stolen from your shed or garage. Bikes, mowers, garden tools & power tools. Make sure your shed door, door frame and walls are solid. Replace any damaged or rotten areas with new sections. Try to place the shed door facing your house and not too close to a perimeter wall or gate. The extra noise made by a gravel path can be a good deterrent. Security lights can have a positive effect, but you must be able to see them from your house. Fit a shed alarm to the inside of the shed door. Ensure the hasp is bolted through the shed and into a steel plate. Replace ordinary screws on outbuilding doors with non-return screws or coach bolts. Obscure the window of your shed / garage to prevent thieves seeing what you have inside. Ensure any ladders or steps are put away or secure with a decent chain and padlock. Consider keeping valuable items in a strong lockable box or cage. Fit two closed shackle padlocks on strong padlock hasps – one third of the way up from the bottom of the door and one third of the way down from the top of the door. Bicycles and larger garden equipment should be locked to a correctly installed ground anchor or shed shackle. If that’s not possible then consider those items to be stored in the garage / home. Fit wire mesh or bars on the inside of your window frames. If you have a household alarm fitted, consider extending the system into the garage area. Fit a garage door blocker on the outside of the door. This product bolts permanently to the floor, has a large T bar shaped restrictor and a quality locking device. Various good quality “up and over” or rolling deadlocking door handles can be purchased to replace any existing poor quality locks to give better security. Consider purchasing loop cables. These have a long braided steel cable and a two bolt anchor locking point. These fix to garage walls or floors and can be passed through expensive property such as quad bikes etc. some cables are alarmed. The integral garage door of modern properties is usually a fire door but is not usually secure. We do not recommend carrying out any work on a fire door as it may affects its performance. We recommend products that are Sold Secure or Secure by Design.

If you require any further advice please don’t hesitate to contact your local Beat Team at Radstock Police Station.

Stay safe Stuart Peard Police Constable 3455 Safer Stronger Neighbourhoods Team, Avon and Somerset Police Radstock Police Station, Wells Road, Radstock, BA3 3SG Tel 101 (non-emergency number) or if you see suspicious activity call 999.

More than 1,200 new members, including 466 children have joined Midsomer Norton’s Library since it reopened last summer following a major revamp. Last year BANES Council invested £350,000 in the combined library and information service based at The Hollies in the High Street.

The redesign enables residents to access information, advice and services under one roof while providing a more flexible and useable space for the whole community. Since reopening last June it has been reported that 74,045 items have been borrowed, with more than half of the items borrowed by children.  Councillor Paul Crossley, cabinet member for Community Services, said “It’s really encouraging to see so many people signing up to use our library in Midsomer Norton and I’m particularly pleased that many of them are children. Libraries are an important community resource and are really valued by local residents and I hope people continue to discover and make use of this fantastic resource.”

The redesigned library and information service offers free WiFi throughout, improved internet technology, improved access to printing including wireless technology, a quiet area to study and a new children’s area with comfortable seating and fun educational features. It also boasts a wider selection of books and easy access shelving. New touch screen technology also provides access to the vast LibraryWest catalogue of more than three million items. 

One of the key aims of the Midsomer Norton Library team is community involvement and regular events and activities are held including Storytime and Baby Bounce and Rhyme sessions, which will return in the autumn. Staff are currently are preparing for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. The annual event was hugely successful last year; 387 children took part and read a total of 1565 books.

To find out about this year’s Summer Reading Challenge visit your local library in Bath and North East Somerset or visit: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/ 

Midsomer Norton Library and Information Service is open from Monday to Thursday 9.30am – 5pm, Fridays 9.30am – 4.30pm and Saturdays 9.30am – 1pm

A Joint Police Forum will be taking place in Keynsham on Wednesday 19th June between 7pm and 9pm in the Community Space, Keynsham (5 Temple St, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1HA ).

The Joint Police Forum is routinely held across the Avon and Somerset Area and is a public meeting so residents are encouraged to attend.

The meeting will begin with an introduction from Police Crime Commissioner, Sue Mountstevens. This will be followed by an introduction from Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cullen and then a local policing presentation from a Keynsham Neighbourhood Officer.

At the end of the evening, there will be an opportunity for local people attending to ask questions.

The programme for the evening is as follows:

18:45 – Guests and members of the public to arrive at the Community Space 19:15 – Introductions and Presentations

20:15 – Public Q&A

The PCC have said that if you would like to attend, it would be helpful to let them know so they can ensure a seat is allocated for you. You can find further information and register on-line here or e-mail [email protected] or call 01278 646188.

If you have any questions you would like to ask you can e-mail the PCC in advance at [email protected] They recommend that you do this if you have a question that might need some research (e.g. regarding a specific issue in your area).

You can also tweet your questions to @AandSPCC or message on facebook here.

The new Parish Council has been confirmed. We take forward four existing members and now have the opportunity to appoint five new members!

If you are interested in representing the views of fellow residents and can attend a meeting on the second Wednesday each month we would love to hear from you.

The most vibrant council is made up of a wide range of people representative of the community they serve – a range of ages, skills, backgrounds and all kinds of varied experience! All you need is an interest in your community. Training and support is provided.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Jenny, the Clerk by email: [email protected] or by phone: 07591 257 067.

During our last update from BANES Officers back in October 2018 we were informed that the BANES Council Environmental Monitoring Team were working hard to secure funding for a ‘Options and Feasibility study’ to explore and assess measures designed and intended to result in the required air quality improvement within the Temple Cloud Air Quality Management Area (AQMA).

Conscious that we are now only 5 months away from it being a year since the AQMA was officially declared, the Parish Council wrote to BANES Officers to ask what progress had been made.  

BANES Council have now confirmed that funding through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) has been approved for the technical assessment. The study will assess possible options against: feasibility, deliverability, predicted air quality benefit, and cost.

The measures that are deemed deliverable and effective in achieving the necessary reduction in nitrogen dioxide levels will form part of the Temple Cloud Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) alongside other, less complicated measures that haven’t required the same technical assessment.

The Options and Assessment stage will begin in tandem with Farrington Gurney (who are also subject to a AQMA on the A37) and this should commence shortly – in April 2019 and will include a two week Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) study.

Once the study has taken place and the draft AQAP has been prepared, there will be a further phase of public consultation.

The issue of Air Quality in Temple Cloud remains a key priority for the Parish Council – the Parish Council are pleased that funding to undertake the technical assessment work has been secured and will continue to work closely with the Environmental Monitoring Team at BANES Council to ensure that residents are kept fully updated and the impact of air quality is addressed.

You can see the headlines from BANES Council Officers below:

Springfield Road Surfacing will commence work on the Temple Cloud Village Hall car park from Monday 4th February 2019 to provide a new finished level surface, drainage, install lighting, a planting area and marked bays .

The work will also clear some of the scrub behind the Village Hall sign to extend the surface of the car park to the kerbstone edge to maximise useable parking space available once the project is finished. As a result, the car park will not be available for a two week period between Monday 4th February 2019 and Friday 15th February 2019. A small section of parking may be left clear for parking over the weekend if health and safety permits the contractor to do this.

Regular hirers of the Village Hall have been informed of the project and asked to communicate this message to members / customers to reduce the impact to those using the Village Hall for clubs, events and parking as well as to those residents living close by who may also be impacted by the project.

The Parish Council thank users of the Village Hall and residents for their patience at this time and during the two week period but hope that the end results will further enhance and improve the overall experience of using the Village Hall and car park for everyone.

People are being advised to look out for revised recycling and rubbish collection dates across Bath and North East Somerset over Christmas and New Year.

There will be no collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.

All wheeled bin customers will get notice of revised collection dates via bin hangers distributed during the first two weeks of December.

Re-useable rubbish bag and black sack customers will be notified by letter.

The revised collections dates will also be advertised in the local press and people can also check details for specific addresses on the council’s website: www.bathnes.gov.uk/checkcollection

The council’s recycling centres will be operating as normal for the majority of the festive period, but will be closed on:

• Christmas Day – Tuesday 25 December
• Boxing Day – Wednesday 26 December
• New Year’s Day – Tuesday 1 January

There will be NO garden waste collections from Monday 3 December 2018 to Friday 25 January inclusive. Normal garden waste collections will start again on Monday 28 January.

People who have bought real Christmas trees can take them to the council’s recycling centres or put them out between 28 January and 8 February on garden waste collection days (even if they don’t have a green bin) and we will collect them free of charge. Please cut them up small enough to fit in the lorry and make sure they are free of decorations.

B&NES Council have issued the following advice to residents:

More rubbish is thrown away over Christmas than at any other time of year, and people are being urged to think responsibly and recycle as much waste as they can.

Councillor Bob Goodman, cabinet member for Development and Neighbourhoods said: “We all love Christmas but it is a time of year when a staggering amount of food is thrown away and excess packaging is created. We can all do our bit to reduce excess waste by thinking about how much we buy and recycling. If we all do our bit, we can reduce the amount that goes to landfill.”

The Love Food Hate Waste website www.lovefoodhatewaste.com has plenty of seasonal tips to help reduce food waste and save money this Christmas.

Lots of other festive waste can also be recycled. Wrapping paper (white backed, non- foil), greetings cards, gift tags and cardboard packaging can all be placed in our recycling containers. However, glitter or foil backed wrapping paper and glittery Christmas cards can’t be recycled, so please choose wisely when you shop. Brown paper wrapping is the best environmentally friendly option.

Don’t forget other festive items like sweet and biscuit tins, aerosols, glass jars, plastic bottles and food containers like cream pots, foil from mince pies, quiches and takeaways can also be recycled.

And you can even recycle small electrical items such as broken fairy lights, textiles like old Christmas jumpers and shoes.

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The Parish Council are looking to employ a part-time Village Operative (15 hours per week) to undertake a number of tasks to keep the parish looking its very best!

Tasks will include sweeping pavements, litter picking, regular checks of the playground and occasional maintenance / repairs to Parish Council property.

A copy of the Job Description which includes further information together with details of how to apply is available below. The first page sets out the purpose and main duties of the role and the second pages provides more information / details of how to apply.

Please send your CV/written application to the Clerk (Jenny Howell) by 5pm on Wednesday 5th December 2018.

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Nominations for the Community Award (Hosted by the Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council) are invited by 21^st December 2018.

The Community Awards 2018/19 recognises volunteers, community leaders, staff and businesses that make a positive contribution to the local community, putting people first and inspiring others to get involved.  The Awards contribute to BANES Council’s vision to make ‘Bath and North East Somerset an even better place to live, work and visit’.

Residents, staff, councillors, businesses, organisations and groups, teachers, and volunteers from Bath and North East Somerset can nominate people for the following categories:

Category 1 – Volunteering in the Community Awards

• Volunteer of the Year / Young Volunteer of the Year (25 and Under)
• Volunteer Leader of the Year / Young Volunteer Leader of the Year (25 and Under)
• Volunteer Team or Young Volunteer Team (25 and Under)
• Carer of the Year / Young Carer of the Year
• The Peter Duppa-Miller Lifetime Achievement

Category 2 – Business in the Community Award

• Business of the Year

Category 3 – Service to the Community

• Employee of the Year
• Employee Team of the Year
• Above and Beyond (Employee)

In addition to the awards the Chair may also identify one or more individuals or groups from the nominations received to present a ‘Special Award’.

For more information about who can nominate, how to nominate and what’s next, visit the BANES Council Community Awards website.

Residents are being asked whether they are prepared to pay an additional £1 a month towards policing from April, 2019.

Last year the Government unexpectedly gave all Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) across the country the flexibility to raise the policing part of the council tax by £1 a month for the average band D household.

Sue Mountstevens is hoping that PCCs will be given that flexibility again this year, she said: “With last year’s £1 rise we were able to start an ambitious programme of recruitment and commit to employing up to 300 police officers. We were also able to protect neighbourhood policing, the police officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) in your local area, all thanks to your support for the rise. The Chief Constable and I have agreed that next year’s focus will concentrate on serious violence. The threat from serious and organised crime has changed rapidly, increasing in both volume and complexity and preying on the most vulnerable in society.

“If we are able to increase the policing part of the council tax by £1 a month next year and the Government grant for policing stays the same and there are no additional surprises we are committed to a new focus on burglary and drugs. We must continue to dismantle the recruitment of vulnerable young people into ‘county lines’ drugs gangs. It’s clear that this leads to an increase in knife-crime and serious violence, including stabbings and gang-related disorder and it must be tackled and given the right resources. I absolutely recognise that any increase in household bills will be felt by residents and it’s not easy to keep asking local people to contribute to the issues that we are facing in policing and as a society. It’s really important that residents tell me what they would be prepared to pay. These are difficult decisions and I need to be sure that I have heard from as many local people as possible.”

Sue Mountstevens is asking for people’s views in an online survey on her website http://www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk which closes at midnight on January 14, 2019.

For further information or to request a copy of the survey please call 01278 646188.

The Office for Ms Mountstevens report to have also spoken to hundreds of residents while visiting events across the summer. Sue will continue to talk about the policing part of the council tax at her surgery sessions find out where she will be on her website http://www.avonandsomerset-pcc.gov.uk

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Recruitment Pack fo Appointment of Independent Members as for Independent Person 20.09.18

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