Your chance to see the final four design solutions which have now been shortlisted by the judging panel in Cheltenham Borough Council’s Royal Institute of British Architects open design competition.

The plans can be viewed at the Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham and at the Art Gallery & Museum Clarence Street, from now until 21^st December during normal opening hours. They can also be seen online at www.cheltenhamartgallery.org.uk/buildingforanewfuture

The Tory leadership of Gloucestershire County Council has refused to take action over buses throughout the County which are inaccessible to some elderly people and to those with disabilities.  Liberal Democrats on the County Council called upon the Tory cabinet to look into addressing the issue at Wednesday’s meeting of full council, but the cabinet member bluntly refused. 

Cllr Bill Whelan, Liberal Democrat member for Churchdown St John’s, said: “Providing concessionary bus fares for the elderly is a joke when so many of the buses can’t be accessed by those who hold bus passes.  These people are vulnerable members of our community who depend upon the buses for their independence.  We need to improve access. 

“I requested that the cabinet conduct a review of all the bus routes in Gloucestershire to find out how many of them provide low floor vehicles, and enter talks with service providers who are failing to meet this need.  The cabinet refused even to look into the specific issue of the 97, 98 and 06 bus routes which are known to provide insufficient access for the elderly and disabled.  Frankly, I am appalled.  Why won’t the cabinet spare the time to look into this issue?” Following his appeal at yesterday’s council meeting, Cllr Whelan presented the cabinet with a petition calling for action to improve access to buses.  The petition was signed by over 2,370 people. 

Cllr Dr John Cordwell, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Planning and Transport, said: “This Tory administration was elected on a promise to support elderly people to live independently in their own homes.  Yesterday, they broke their promise by turning a blind eye to the transport difficulties of the elderly and disabled who live in the community.  They could have looked into improving demands for disabled access in the Council’s contracts with bus companies.  They could have looked into negotiating with the bus companies who are able to make a difference.  Instead they have chosen to do nothing.” 

Application number: 07/01569/FUL               Type of application: Full                                Date Registered 23/11/2007
Applicant: Mr R Toscano  
Location: 23 Chalford Avenue, The Reddings, Cheltenham  

Proposal: Erection of attached garage to side of dwelling (existing garage converted into living accommodation)

Should you require further details please contact the case officer: Miss Victoria Collins   on: 01242 264248 or reply by email.You can view details via the Councils E-planning pages on their web site. http://planning.cheltenham.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JRLKDVEL0BC00

A new planning application has now been received. The details are as follows

Application number: 07/01424/FUL                                                                        

Type of application: Full                                                                                           

Date Registered 09/11/2007
Applicant: Mr I West
Location: 75 Granley Road, Cheltenham
Proposal: Two storey extension to side of the property (linking to adjoining house at 79 Granley Road)                                                                                                                                            Case officer: David Lovegrove: 01242 264315 or reply by email. You can view details via the Councils E-planning pages on their web site. http://planning.cheltenham.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JPYBHYEL0BC00

A planning application has been received which is within Benhall & The Reddings Ward  details:-

Application number: 07/01521/FUL                                                                                      Type of application  Full                                                                                                                           Date Registered 09/11/2007
Applicant: Mr R Mattholie
Location: 52 Colesbourne Road, Cheltenham
Proposal: Two storey side and single storey rear extensions                                     Case officer: Mrs Lucy White: 01242 264315 or reply by email. You can view details via the Councils E-planning pages on their web site. http://planning.cheltenham.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JR1DKMEL0BC00

Additional recycling banks for cardboard and plastic have been installed at ‘bring sites’ around the town. Locally these include both Morrisons and Coronation Square. The cardboard banks are for household cardboard only, which must be clean and folded flat. The plastic bottles banks are for drinks, detergent and shampoo bottles.

Cllr Nigel Britter says “All the plastic collected is compacted by the Council’s partners, Printwaste Limited and then forwarded to a processor where it is converted into products for the construction, clothing and packaging industries.

This Scheme is a UK network of community paint reuse scheme which collect “half tins” of leftover domestic paint from donation points and end of line paint from local DIY stores.  Paint is then distributed to charities, community and voluntary groups and individuals on low income For more information please contact Reclaim Windsor Street, Cheltenham Tel: 01242 228823

IT Schools Africa appeals to companies/organisations and individuals to donate computers for its African programmes. Your computer donations help reduce electronic waste going into landfill and accelerate education in Africa: each computer can be used to educate 100 pupils.For more information, please contact IT Schools Africa Unit 8, Mead Park Industrial, Estate, Mead Road, Cheltenham  GL53 7EF

website: www.itschoolsafrica.org email info@itschoolsafrica.org

A new planning application has now been received. The details are Application number: 07/01096/FUL Type of application: Full                                Date Registered 06/11/2007
Applicant: Citrus Group
Location: LAND OF WHITTINGTON ROAD
Proposal: ERECTION OF A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME (use class C”)Should you require further details please contact the case officer: David Lovegrove on: 01242 264315 or reply by email. You can view details via the Councils E-planning pages on their web site. http://planning.cheltenham.gov.uk/PublicAccess/tdc/DcApplication/application_detailview.aspx?caseno=JMIJDZELAL000.

On 5 November 2007 Cheltenham Borough Council, in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, will take over the enforcement of parking restrictions in
Cheltenham. The Council currently has responsibility for off street parking enforcement but from 5 November will also have responsibility for on-street parking enforcement, currently provided by the police authority.  This means that from that date parking enforcement in
Cheltenham becomes a civil rather than a criminal matter. The change from 5 November 2007 relates only to responsibility for parking enforcement and does not, at the moment, alter any of the existing parking restrictions. There will, however, be a greater number of Parking Attendants patrolling the streets and Council operated car parks to enforce existing regulations which aim to:    

• Improve traffic flow by controlling the parking of vehicles on streets
• Reduce pollution by improving traffic flow.  
•  Improve road safety through enforcement of illegally and dangerously parked vehicles.
•  Improve access for emergency vehicles and public transport by reducing illegal parking obstruction. 
• Gloucestershire County Council is taking the lead on communications. A poster and leaflet campaign is scheduled

Cllr Nigel Britter is pleased to report that the up-grading of the children’s play area has now been completed. All the old wooden equipment has been replaced, the bark and its wooden surrounds have been removed, the levels made good with the surface under the new equipment consisting of a rubber matting that allows the grass to grow through.