A personal note from Don on the coalition

"Taking the decision to work with the Conservatives was not easy. I have fought against them for my entire political career. Nonetheless, when it was explained to the parliamentary party the deal we had been offered, not one of us felt able to turn it down.

I fought this election on Liberal Democrat policies: fairer taxes helping lower and middle-income earners; extra investment in schools; a new green, sustainable economy; and reform of the political system, including an elected upper house.

All these policies, and many more, are included in the coalition agreement we have signed with the Conservatives. After well over half a century outside of government, Lib Dem policies are now going to be implemented. We have seats around the cabinet table and real power.

Of course, we have had to compromise on some of our manifesto points, and in some areas we will still be able to oppose proposals in parliament. For example, we will still be arguing that we do not need the like-for-like replacement of Trident.

The Lib Dems have long argued for proportional representation, which would regularly lead to coalition government. At this election our discredited system has provided us with a hung parliament. We could have walked away and refused the compromise, but this would have weakened our position on proportional representation for future elections. Proving that coalition government can be strong, stable government will prove to sceptics that this can be done, and that coalition governments in the future are nothing to be afraid of. The alternative would have been a Tory minority government. A deal with Labour simply wasn’t on the table.

Finally, I know despite this that many of you might be uneasy about doing a deal with the Conservatives. I fully understand your point of view. I hope that, like me, you are able to conclude that we have done what is right for the country, but also that we now have the issues and principles we have fought for many years for actually being carried out in government".

You can read the full coalition agreement at www.libdems.org.uk

Planning applications registered in March & April

App Ref: 10/01280/FUL
Registered: 19th March 2010
Expiry Date: 14th May 2010
Location: 80 Brookfield Park Upper Weston Bath BA1 4JJ
Proposal: Conversion and extension of existing dwelling to provide a block of 4 apartments (Resubmission).

App Ref: 10/01133/FUL
Registered: 26th March 2010
Expiry Date: 21st May 2010
Location: 3 Duncan Gardens Upper Weston Bath BA1 4NQ
Proposal: Enlargement of existing dormer to rear of roof.

App Ref: 10/01365/REN
Registered: 30th March 2010
Expiry Date: 25th May 2010
Location: 158 Southlands Upper Weston Bath BA1 4EB
Proposal: Renewal of application 07/00664/FUL (Erection of a two storey side extension after demolition of existing store)

App Ref: 10/01641/FUL
Registered: 14th April 2010
Expiry Date: 9th June 2010
Location: 8 Purlewent Drive Upper Weston Bath BA1 4AZ
Proposal: Provision of a rear balcony and a pitched tiled roof over existing two storey side extension to replace existing flat roof

App Ref: 10/01560/FUL
Registered: 15th April 2010
Expiry Date: 10th June 2010
Location: 3 Broadmoor Vale Upper Weston Bath BA1 4LP
Proposal: Erection of a two storey rear extension

App Ref: 10/01734/FUL
Registered: 26th April 2010
Expiry Date: 21st June 2010
Location: 12 Cranwells Park Lower Weston Bath BA1 2YD
Proposal: Erection of a two storey side extension incorporating a garage following demolition of existing single storey side extension.

App Ref: 10/01775/FUL
Registered: 4th May 2010
Expiry Date: 29th June 2010
Location: 17 Purlewent Drive Upper Weston Bath BA1 4AZ
Proposal: Erection of first floor rear and side extension.

Details of all these planning applications can be found online at www.bathnes.gov.uk/BathNES/environmentandplanning/planning/planningapplications/default.htm

Weston post office consultation begins

Consultation on the long-term future of Weston post office begins today for 6 weeks, finishing on 22nd June.

Post Office Ltd is proposing a move to a new site in Weston, alongside the current Premier Stores at the other end of Weston High Street to the current branch.

Bath MP Don Foster said, “It is great news for Weston that Post Office Ltd has found a new site at the heart of the village to guarantee the long-term future of the branch. The post office is an important part of the local community. I know that local traders in Weston have suffered since the post office closed, and they will want the new branch open as soon as possible.”

This is a positive step forward for Weston, the long-term future of the post office is key for this area.
Maintaining the service in the heart of the village is crucial, and I hope that residents will support this proposal and that the service is able to open as soon as possible.

Secondary school consultation - public meeting dates set

The dates for the public meetings, which form part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Secondary school consultation, have now been set.

The meetings form part of the wider consultation where parents, teachers and pupils have the chance to have their say on proposals outlined in Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Secondary Review.

Dates for public meetings are as follows:

Keynsham
Tuesday 11 May, Wellsway School, 7pm
Tuesday 18 May, Broadlands School, 7pm
Wednesday 26 May, St Keyna Primary School, 7pm

Bath
Tuesday 12 May, St Mark's C of E school, 7pm
Wednesday 19 May, Oldfield School, 7pm
Thursday 20 May, Culverhay School, 7pm
Tuesday 25 May, Guildhall, Brunswick Room, 7pm

Timescale
Consultation – began on 31 March 2010 and will end 28 May 2010

Decision on proposals – Cabinet will make a decision on the proposal on 21July 2010.

How to give feedback on the proposals
Consultation booklets which give details of the proposals have been distributed to all schools and also to wider stakeholders in Bath and Keynsham and are available online.

Everyone with an interest in the education of our young people can comment on the proposals by email, letter or online. For more information visit www.bathnes.gov.uk and navigate to the School Consultation documents through the ‘have your say’ section on the homepage.