SUMMER Theatre, arts and more 2019 this summer SPECIAL EDITION SUMMER SPECIAL www.n-somerset.gov.uk l @NorthSomersetC f NorthSomersetCouncil We are urgently looking for more foster carers from North Somerset. “ If you’re thinking about fostering for your Get in touch: community, we’d love [email protected] to have a conversation 01934 426 614 with you.” Make a difference, change a life, foster. fostering.n-somerset.gov.uk f Fostering North Somerset l NSFostering North Somerset Council Executive announcement On Thursday 2 May residents in North we run the council must be different to We shall be looking at those budgets Somerset voted for change and a address the climate emergency we face, over the next few months and then we different type of politics. We responded with flooding and extremes of weather shall share our ideas with you, as difficult to that by creating a partnership of and poor air quality being only a small as some will inevitably be, as we must community-minded councillors to form an part of that overall challenge. set a balanced budget. We shall also be administration representing a range of We want to look forward, not backwards, lobbying our two constituency MPs for political opinions, but, more importantly, but we must recognise that we also inherit their support in addressing our lack of you as residents. This administration policies from the previous administration, fair funding and going to London to see has now started its work, made up of most decided without addressing those the relevant government departments. Independent, Liberal Democrat, Labour points above, some of which we can We shall be asking for your help in this and Green councillors. change and some of which we cannot. The campaign to get a fair share of our own Most of us are new to the running of the biggest challenge is the pressure on council tax payments back! council and, in many cases, to being finances as government support continues Thank you for your support in May and let councillors. There is much enthusiasm and to fall and demand for services grows. us work together to make North Somerset energy to do things differently, to be more The previous regime seemed to delight better. open and transparent. We are looking at in knowing the price of everything and The Executive how to change the way the council works, the value of nothing. They boasted about so that decision-making is more inclusive. keeping council tax rates artificially low, Cllr Don Davies (Independent) We want to change how we communicate but then cut services and used unfair Leader of North Somerset Council with residents, so that your voices are charges for things like car parking and Cllr Mike Bell (Liberal Democrat) heard and heard much earlier in creating other services to attempt to make up the Deputy Leader policies. We want a real focus on how we gap. This short-term smoke and mirrors Cllr Mark Canniford (Liberal Democrat) can address the dreadful inequalities in approach has been exacerbated by a Cllr Ashley Cartman (Liberal Democrat) what is the third most unequal authority central government completely unwilling area in the country – not just in wealth, to tackle the biggest funding issues we Cllr Caritas Charles (Independent) housing and skills, but in health and face in adult and children’s social care, Cllr Catherine Gibbons (Labour) healthy life expectancy too. We shall work which takes nearly three-quarters of our Cllr Bridget Petty (Green) to engage better with town and parish budget. We shall be soon faced therefore Cllr James Tonkin (Independent) councils and volunteer organisations, to with some very unpalatable choices in attempt to facilitate work they want to attempting to save a further £27m over Read more about your new council undertake and are willing to fund. Most the next four years. from page 28 fundamentally of all, our policies and how Contents 4 News update 12 Map of local attractions Summer Special 14 Summer events 16 Children’s events 24 A woodland wander 17 28 Meet your new council Food and drink festivals 40 Road investment plan 18 Stage and screen revealed 23 Summer cycle 47 Tide times Cover: Acrojou’s The Wheel House, a show supported by Without Walls. Photo courtesy of Steve Edwin Photography. See page 18 North Somerset Council does not endorse or recommend any commercial products or services advertising in Life magazine. This publication is available in large print, Braille or audio formats on request. Help is also available for people who require council information in languages other than English. www.n-somerset.gov.uk l @NorthSomersetC f NorthSomersetCouncil 3 News Befriending volunteers needed in Green business North Somerset grants for Volunteers are needed across The pair see each other once a North Somerset North Somerset to become fortnight and spend days chatting companies befrienders to people with at home or visiting shops or garden centres. dementia. Small and medium-sized Rebecca said: “I love it. It’s like businesses in North Somerset The Alzheimer’s Society is looking having my nan back. could get financial help to be for local residents – particularly in Clevedon, Nailsea and Backwell “I’ve heard so many interesting more energy efficient thanks to a – who could visit someone with stories about Marjorie’s past; I feel new grant. I really know her.” dementia and help them keep Grants of between £1,000 doing the things they enjoy. Marjorie, who was diagnosed with and £15,000 are available to Rebecca Budd, a 24-year-old Alzheimer’s in 2016, said: “I’ve businesses in North Somerset, from Weston-super-Mare, is a always been interested in people Bath and North East Somerset, befriending volunteer for 74-year- and I love hearing about Becca’s Bristol and South Gloucestershire, old Marjorie Malik. adventures, as it gives me a break thanks to the West of England from socialising with older people. Combined Authority’s Green Rebecca signed up as a volunteer Business Grant. because she wanted to help “She makes me feel young again. someone and recognised that the My world has opened up.” The money could be used for: Alzheimer’s Society’s befriending Volunteering can help you gain M improving the energy service would have benefited her skills, develop new friendships and efficiency of buildings grandmother, who had dementia. even enhance job prospects. (insulation, heating or lighting), or M improving business operations, such as more efficient production or refrigeration equipment. The cashback grant pays for 40 per cent of eligible costs once the project is complete. A free energy survey is available to help you decide what needs to be done. To find out more or sign up contact Alzheimer’s Society’s The Green Business befriending manager Anne Shermon on 07525 404 275 or Grant, funded through email [email protected] the European Regional Development Fund, is only North Somerset Council under new control available until October. To apply visit The political make-up of North Discover this new make-up, who www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/ Somerset was shaken up in May your local councillors are and how green-business-grants or call when the local elections brought in to get in touch with them from 0117 332 1520. many new councillors. page 28. 4 North Somerset Life • Summer 2019 For the latest updates on North Somerset’s news visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/news Are you Contacts Call us fostering privately? For all council services, call 01934 888 888 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) Private foster carers are being reminded they Direct numbers for other popular services: need to inform North Somerset Council about For waste and recycling, For council tax and benefits: their living arrangements. road issues, planning and 01934 888 144 building control: (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) Private fostering is an informal arrangement when a 01934 888 802 For social services: child under 16 (or 18 if disabled) stays with someone (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) 01275 888 801 who is not a close relative for more than 28 continuous (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm) days. A close relative is a step-parent, grandparent, brother, Do it online – report it, request it or pay for it at: sister, uncle or aunt, whether of full blood, half blood or www.n-somerset.gov.uk/connect marriage. Or go straight to these popular web pages by adding these Examples of private fostering might include: shortcuts: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/myaccount /planning /schooladmissions /wastecollections /termdates M a teenager living with the family of a boyfriend or girlfriend ADVERTISEMENT M children living with a friend’s family as a result of parental separation, divorce or arguments at home M children sent to this country for education or health Landlord Incentive scheme reasons by parents who live abroad. We are looking for accommodation from private landlords and owners of empty homes in the district. Anyone who is privately fostering, or aware of a private fostering arrangement, can contact We offer a range of incentives to help those North Somerset Council on 01275 888 808 or households who are threatened with homelessness [email protected] or are homeless. If you are a landlord, please contact us to discuss the assistance we may be able to give. North Somerset Council lettings team: [email protected] 01934 426 483 www.n-somerset.gov.uk l @NorthSomersetC f NorthSomersetCouncil 5 News Be proud to foster at Weston Pride Foster carers can come from all private foster care placements walks of life to reflect the whole outside the area and away from community.