Waste and recycling collections
The recent spell of hot weather has continued to disrupt waste and recycling collections across parts of Bristol.
You can check for delayed collections by searching your postcode on the Bristol Waste website, where the latest collection information is regularly updated. If your bin has been missed, please report it using the website’s missed collection form.
Paula and Jerome are particularly concerned about the small number of streets experiencing repeated missed collections and have been raisingthese directly with Bristol Waste. We understand how frustrating thisis for residents, particularly during the warmer weather, and arepleased to hear that Bristol Waste is recruiting additional HGV drivers to help improve the reliability of the service.
Former WH Smith site
Like many residents, we are eagerly awaiting news of an opening date for the temporary use of the former WH Smith site in the heart of Clifton. After standing boarded up for far too long, it will be wonderful to see this prominent site brought back into use.
Planning permission has now been granted for the revised temporary scheme, which includes a more robust and enclosed marquee to better manage noise. In the current climate, where hospitality businesses face significant challenges, establishing a restaurant with only a two-year operating window is not easy.
Paula and Jerome have been working with both the developers and the council to help resolve outstanding issues, and we hope this exciting
project can now move forward.
Residents may also have noticed that the developers have launched a public consultation on the site’s long-term future. Initial proposals include residential development above an active ground-floor space. We’ve found the range of comments submitted so far fascinating, and we’d encourage anyone with an interest in the future of Clifton Village to have their say by searching online for “Clifton Down Road development”.
Bristol NHS trusts merger
On 1 July, the region’s hospital trusts merged to form a single
organisation serving the Bristol area.
Jerome, who sits on the Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, reviewed the proposals with Hospital Director Stuart Walker before the merger was approved.
Southmead Hospital, the Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol Royal
Hospital for Children and Weston General Hospital are now all part of the same NHS Trust. The aim is to provide better joined-up care,
reduce variation in services and improve patients’ experience across the region.
We believe this is a positive step for local healthcare and one that
should help strengthen NHS services across Bristol and the surrounding area.
Bristol Zoo Gardens update
Ownership of the former Bristol Zoo Gardens site has still not transferred to Acorn Property Group, the proposed developer, although preparatory work continues.
The planning permission includes a large number of conditions, and these are being closely monitored as work progresses. The Zoo’s Chief Executive has advised that the transfer of ownership is expected to take place later this year.
Contact us
Jerome and Paula continue to jointly hold surgeries at Clifton Library on the first Wednesday of every month at 5pm. Do pop in if you have an issue you want us to help with
cllr.jerome.thomas@bristol.gov.uk
cllr.paula.orourke@bristol.gov.uk
Children’s LitFest makes a splash!
The first-ever Children’s LitFest, supported by Friends of Clifton Library and Centre (FoCCaL), Waterstones and the Clifton BID, proved
to be a wonderful success.
With glorious sunshine throughout the day, Hannah the Mermaid was able to make quite a splash, delighting hundreds of children who were
completely captivated by her tales. She appeared to have swum all the way up the Avon especially for the occasion, and there were plenty of smiles, splashes and “shelfies” with Clifton’s very own Bristol mermaid.
It was certainly a fintastic day, and many young visitors were hooked on books before they headed home!
Other highlights included author talks and live illustrations from Mikey Please, Yasmeen Ishmail and Jordan Collver (among many), while the Pokémon card exchange proved hugely popular with older children.
The festival was completely free to attend and was only possible thanks to proceeds from previous Clifton LitFest events. It’s a wonderful example of how the festival gives back to our community by
encouraging a lifelong love of reading.
And while we’re talking about books, here’s a reminder to put in your diary that the seventh Clifton LitFest will take place from 13-15
November. There will be something for everyone, so don’t let this one drift by—we hope to welcome you aboard! (That’s enough fishy puns, Ed).