Hello from Serena and George, your Green Party councillors for Clifton Down. It’s been a busy month with lots to report.
Boosting recycling
The council would like to hear from you about how we can make recycling easier and boost income to the service, while ensuring waste collections remain viable. A public consultation runs until 10th March and you can find it on the council website Waste and Recycling Collection Consultation 2025 | Ask Bristol Consultation and Engagement Hub
Bristol currently recycles 45% of its waste, and analysis shows that 40% of what’s in our black bins can be recycled including food waste. The government target is to have 65% of waste recycled by 2035. We shall soon be taxed on the carbon emissions of our waste, and if we do not reduce what’s in our bins this will create significant additional budgetary pressures.
Despite what you might have seen in the media, nothing has been decided yet. What you tell us in the public consultation will be fully considered and we want to hear all points of view about ways to support people in different housing situations. So please do complete the survey and share with your neighbours.
Dimming the dazzle
We regularly drop in on local residents to hear about any local concerns. On one of these visits, a resident told Serena they were experiencing a very bright streetlight shining directly into their home. Serena reported this to the Traffic and Highways Maintenance team which has fitted a louvre to the light to fix the problem.
Supporting Redland Library
As big supporters of Redland Library, we are relieved to tell you that any changes to Bristol’s library budgets will not be taken forward in this year’s budget. Instead, a cross-party group will review how to make the service financially sustainable and reliable in the future. We will be keeping a careful eye on this work and making the case for the value of our well-used and much-loved local library.
Feeling flushed
We heard from several of you that blocked drains have posed problems on your streets this winter. Serena has reported these to the Strategic Highway Maintenance Drainage team. As we write, work is due to start imminently on Worrall Road, with other streets scheduled in soon.
Parking changes
Last month, charges for Pay & Display parking and parking permits in Residents’ Parking Scheme areas and Permitted Parking Areas changed.
First car permits in Residents Parking Schemes rose from £56 to £124, less than the three times increase proposed by the previous administration. This £124 fee covers the cost of running RPSs – no profit is made from first car permits.
In addition, on-street parking went up in some locations.
Charges for second and third car permits have stayed the same. These, and revenue from on-street parking, generate revenue that funds transport and street improvements.
To view the changes, visit the Resident Parking Scheme area of the council website.
Putting your old I.T to work
Last month, Serena visited the Avonmouth recycling centre with other Green councillors to see the amazing work the I.T Re-use team are doing there on recycling I.T kit such as laptops and mobile phones to go to people who would otherwise be in digital poverty. If you are a business that is getting rid of I.T, please consider donating to this fantastic re-use scheme. All data is safely wiped from systems. Find out more on the Bristol Waste website at Digital Inclusion Scheme – Bristol Waste Company
New funding for youth climate action
New funding is now available for youth-led climate initiatives across the city. The council has once again joined up with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund programme to secure £70,000 to be used as micro-grants for climate action projects that work with young people aged 15 to 24 in Bristol.
The deadline for applications is 31st March. Find out more on the news section of the council website.
Councillor surgeries
We hold regular surgeries on the first Friday of the month from midday to 1:30 at Redland Library on Whiteladies Road.
Do speak to us about any local issues.
Or email us Cllr.george.calascione@bristol.gov.uk Cllr.serena.ralston@bristol.gov.uk We’d love to hear from you.