Waste collections

Following the survey  I carried out with  Andy Morgan, a number of
improvements to street sweeping schedules are being introduced. Feedback
was that things had improved enormously since the introduction of the
new contract but there are still problem areas and issues about emptying
communal bins, which we have taken up. There is also to be a trial of
gull bags in West Mall and Caledonia Place at the request of the Mall
Gardens Residents Association. These are bags which will hang on the
railings and be kept by residents to replace the black bags of side
waste.

Residents Parking meeting 22nd April

The Clifton Neighbourhood forum hosted a meeting for residents and
interested groups to find out more about what is proposed by way of an
RPZ scheme for Clifton.

Attendance was around 200 and the meeting was ably chaired by Clifton
East councillor Simon Cook, with questions being answered by council
officer Terry Bullock. Some people were unhappy about the fact that
Mayor, George Ferguson had decided to introduce RPZs around the centre
of the city without consultation on the principle. However much of the
meeting focussed on points raised by residents relating to a wide range
of issues such as cost of permits(£30) number of permits per household
potentially 3 but at escalating cost and depending on the overall number
of spaces, visitors - all residents within the scheme will be issued
with visitors permits, the timing of the introduction of the scheme -
April 2014 for Clifton. The view was expressed that the situation had
changed since the last proposals were consulted upon and that the
rolling out of schemes in Cotham and Redland would increase traffic
congestion in Clifton and making it more and more necessary for there to
be a scheme in Clifton to take care of the overflow of cars from other
areas.

There is, as yet no detailed proposed scheme for Clifton. However
districts for the administration of the scheme have now  been published
on the council's website and it appears that the scheme will be similar
to those already installed in Cotham and Kingsdown.

Notes were taken of the meeting and I will send these out as soon as I
receive them to addresses on this email list and will continue to keep
you informed of future developments.

Many thanks to all, who wrote to me on this subject. Please don't
hesitate to contact me if you want specific information but I hope the
notes of the meeting will provide some more understanding of the current
position.

Parks and green spaces

We arranged a meeting for residents of Victoria Square to consult on
proposals for a children's play park, which had been suggested by the
Clifton, Cabot and Clifton East Neighbourhood Partnership. However there
was a clear view from residents that the square was used for children's
play already and that the equipment proposed would not improve the play
space and that it could, in some ways make it less attractive. we were
asked to take a vote and as the attendance numbers were high we did so
and the vote was unanimously against the proposals. Residents expressed
the view that thee should be work done to improve the natural
environment of the square in terms of drainage and pruning of some of
the trees and bushes. I have met with officers and suggested this.  Work
is being done to cost  this request and to see whether other
improvements might be carried out within the Neighbourhood Partnership
area.

Consultation has been taking place on plans for the refurbishment and
remodelling of the Downs children's play area. the Downs Committee
recently considered the plans and now work is being done to make some
small changes and to make sure these can be achieved within budge.

Plans have been agreed for the refurbishment of the Charles Place
playground and work  has now begun.

Council Elections

There will be elections for Bristol City council on this Thursday 2nd
May. Trevor Blythe, who has served as councillor for Clifton for the
last four years is standing down. Andy Morgan, who is a recently retired
professor from Bristol University is standing in Trevor's place. I'm
sure many people will wish to thank Trevor for his hard work and
commitment to Clifton on a very wide range of issues. I know from
working with Andy in Clifton that he will be a worthy successor, if
elected on 2nd May.