BathNES Liberal Democrats
Serving Bath and North East Somerset
Working For You - All Year Round
"Welcome to our website.
"The Liberal Democrats exist in Bath and North East Somerset to create a more open, more free, more fair place to live and work.
"We are currently running B&NES council and our cabinet is working hard to ensure our council tax payers are getting value for money in these tough economic times.
"We are dedicated to creating a strong, sustainable economy in Bath and North East Somerset focussing on job creation, green initiatives and cleaner transport.
"Bath and North East Somerset should be an affordable, desirable place to live, and only the Liberal Democrats will work, all year round, to make it happen
"You can find out more, including how to keep in touch or join the Liberal Democrats, on this site."
New Chief Executive Announced
Council names new Chief Executive
Bath & North East Somerset Council has named its new Chief Executive to succeed the existing Chief Executive John Everitt upon his retirement.
Following a rigorous selection process, Dr Jo Farrar, currently Chief Executive of Bridgend County Borough Council, was selected from over 50 applications for the position.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Council, said: “We’re delighted to recommend Jo Farrar to become the new Chief Executive of Bath & North East Somerset Council, subject to the approval of the full Council later this month
“We attracted an impressive field of applicants and the interview panel reached a unanimous decision in recommending Dr Farrar for appointment. All members of the panel agreed that she possesses the necessary vision, strategic skills and experience to meet the future needs of the Council and address the challenges ahead.”
Dr Farrar has been Chief Executive of Bridgend County Borough Council since 2007 – managing a team of 8,000 employees and a revenue budget of £300 million. She has extensive experience of managing the delivery of frontline council services including children, transportation, waste management, adult social care and regeneration. She also led a major programme of transformational change to turn Bridgend County Borough Council into a high performing authority.
Prior to that Dr Farrar has enjoyed success in a number of other high profile roles with organisations including Cardiff Council, Welsh Government, London Borough of Camden and the Government’s Cabinet Office, where she worked as Deputy Director (2000-2003) alongside the Cabinet Secretary and Prime Minister to lead public service reform.
Dr Farrar said: “I’m proud to be joining Bath & North East Somerset as Chief Executive. This is an exciting and prestigious opportunity and one which will allow me to use the significant experience I have gained in Bridgend to maximise the potential of an influential city for the benefit of the whole of the surrounding district.
“I look forward to working with staff, councillors and other organisations, such as community groups, to continue to deliver the best possible services for residents, businesses and visitors right across Bath and North East Somerset.”
Dr Farrar’s appointment has to be confirmed at a meeting of the full Council on 28 March. Subject to this, Jo will be taking every opportunity to familiarise herself with the Council, prior to an anticipated start date at the beginning of August 2012. John Everitt has agreed to continue in his role until a formal handover can be completed.
Clutton ward does well out of Liberal Democrat budget
I am writing to express thanks to the current B&NES Liberal Democrat cabinet for keeping such an admirable capital sum aside for the Clutton ward in the recently approved budget.
The current...
Council Budget reconfirms funding for Rossiter Rd scheme
The Council voted on Tuesday (Feb 14) £1.8m PROVISONAL funding to meet the full cost of the proposed Rossiter Rd scheme. The plans for this are still undergoing a detailed rethink with the aid of an independent consultant and much...
Welcoming the approval of a “Listening Budget”
B&NES Council has approved a “listening budget” say to Liberal Democrat Councillors following tonight’s budget Council meeting in Bath.
This first Liberal Democrat budget focuses on protecting and improving services; reducing borrowing; investing for the future in projects to help deliver regeneration and growth for the area; and freezing Council tax.
Councillor Andrew Furse (Kingsmead), Chair of the Liberal Democrat Group, commented:
“This Liberal Democrat budget will deliver a zero per cent increase in Council tax for the next financial year – keeping money in residents’ pockets by working to cut waste and streamline Council functions, rather than cutting services as so many Councils are doing. I am pleased to hear that our Cabinet has an aspiration to continue to deliver a Council tax freeze in future years.
“We have brought forward a “listening budget” that responds to the needs and wishes of our residents and we are putting into practice our promise to run a listening Council. This budget ensures that public money is spent responsibly and puts into place many of our key policies, such as introducing more 20mph zones in residential areas and promoting affordable housing.”
Walcot Councillor Lisa Brett added:
“I am delighted that the Liberal Democrat administration is showing foresight by investing capital funds in key development areas and in regeneration projects to help promote growth, jobs and inward investment.
“All parts of the district will benefit from these projects and I particularly welcome the forthcoming London Road regeneration project.
“London Road is a key gateway to the city but it has suffered from years of neglect by the previous administration. The regeneration project will improve the street scene and encourage businesses to locate here, reviving this whole area.”
Councillor Jeremy Sparkes said:
“I am very pleased to see how much there is in this budget to support rural areas. Projects in some of our towns – such as regeneration for Radstock and investment in Paulton library – will be of benefit to residents accessing services in these local centres. Funding has been protected for supported bus services and community transport so people can get around and rural gully cleansing is being maintained so the roads will be clear of flooding!
“It’s good news that the Liberal Democrat Council is to invest in LED lighting technology to save energy rather than switching off rural street lights at night, as some Councils have done.”
During the budget debate, the administration accepted an amendment to remove the proposal to discontinue the mobile library service. Councillor David Dixon (Oldfield), the Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods, commented:
“I am glad that we have decided to reinstate the funding for the mobile library service. This means that we are taking a decision as a listening council, based on the needs and wishes of the community and not on purely financial grounds. I hope we can redevelop our outreach services, including reviewing the future of the mobile library, home service and other community based library services to best meet the needs of residents in more rural areas of B&NES.”
