Wheelchair footballer Ryan Abrahams is one step closer to getting his new chair thanks to a donation from Bradley Stoke Town Council.

We were live at September’s meeting – if you want to find out about Ryan and all the other news from the meeting then scroll down.

The live reporting runs from bottom up.

21.35: They’re doing direct debits now … and seeing as I’m going to get booted out shortly as they’re doing discussions about the town centre behind-closed-doors I’m going to wrap up for the night.

21.34: Cllr Forsyth jokes that no more councillors should resign as they “can’t afford it”.

21.31: The upcoming Meadowbank by-election is going to cost £4,500. The money will come from the Bailey’s Court redevelopment which helpfully was … £4,500 under budget. Handy.

21.30: The last members of the public shuffle out leaving me and South Gloucestershire Councillor Jon Williams left watching on.

21.29: It’s a sort of bluey-grey if you’re interested.

21.26: Carpet tiles at the Jubilee Centre is the next item on the agenda. They’re even passing a sample board around. Blue seems to be the choice here, which will make a great change to the office I work in which is a yucky orange. I hope they don’t go down that road!

21.24: The vote to gather further options is passed, much to Cllr Forsyth’s disappointment. “They’d only do it once,” he says.

21.23: Mayor Jones asks for us media people to appeal to the youths not to climb on the roof at the Bailey’s Court Activity Centre.

21.20: Cllr Forsyth tries to propose using the spikes but nobody will second it. Cllr Ben Walker suggests getting more advice which is seconded by Mayor Jones.

21.18: Cllr Mark Forsyth seems in favour saying “if it’s good enough for South Gloucestershire Council and police buildings it’s good enough for us”. Mayor Jones says these spikes have come recommended but he’s not happy “with the aesthetics of it”.

21.17: Cllr Brian Hopkinson shows the razor spikes to the public saying “can you imagine that?” and adding “there’s no way that can go on the roof”. They do look vicious!

21.16: Next is razor spike protection at the Bailey’s Court centre where youths have been climbing up on the roof and enjoying barbeques.

21.15: Polycarbonate is the choice.

21.08: Jubilee Centre veranda glass – 11 of the 22 panels need replacing because of either vandalism or wear-and-tear. Apparently they were looking at bullet-proof glass just in case someone fancies a potshot or two … David Chandler has a few samples including polycarbonate or glass with mesh. Quotes range from £1,800 to nearly £3,000. The big question in the room is surrounding whether the polycarbonate would let through as much light as the glass (Cue people holding the sample up to the lights).

21.05: On to the Beacon Play Scheme. Clark David Chandler says the recent sandpit trial was a success with no complaints. Looks like plans for the playpark are on their way as well ..

21.00: Now on to planned changes to the Orchard Room at the Bailey’s Court Activity Centre. The cricket club want to redecorate and make some changes – correspondence will be passed on to Cllr Julian Barge who is dealing with it.

21.00: A short coffee break and the council sets a meeting for next week on their business plan.

20.50: Brian Hopkinson argues for Bradley Stoke to take in some youths from Patchway Common.

20.45: The youth club has funding up until April, mayor Rob Jones says they do not need to make a decision tonight but it will be considered in the budget setting meetings coming up.

20.40: Ruth moves on talk about moving the youth club from Jubilee Centre to Bailey’s Court – and the opposition from youths to the proposed move. She says the largest number of youths are within this ward and some concern is raised about whether staff costs would be paid if the move to Bailey’s Court went ahead.

20.35: Ruth Cornish, Youth Development Manager, from the Southern Brooks Partnership starts to talk about current work and positive stories so far. First is the clean-up of rubbish at Jubilee Gardens. A road safety scheme and a fire safety course are also cited.

20.33: County councillor Jon Williams asks for timescales – the reply is “something on that site” within 18 months. Mr Herriot says it could be a modular building (and not a Portakabin) and the scheme here would be phased. “It’s a flagship”, Mr Herriot adds.

20.29: Cllr Mark Forsyth asks what South Gloucestershire Council is putting in – the answer is £1.85m. Mr Herriot confirms other funding will come from the “sale of capital assets” (a third), funding from “external sources” such as parish and town councils (again, a third) and government grants (also a third).

20.27: The site for the planned youth centre would be within the boundaries of Bradley Stoke Community School (more here, and have your say here too).

20.24: Apparently they’ve bought an island on Second Life … They want youths to build their own virtual youth centre!

20.20: Mr Herriot is now talking about staffing at these centres saying they want to be able to draft workers in from other areas such as Filton should there be illness. Funding for centres could come partially from government grants and partially from town and parish councils – should they agree to pay.

20.15: Mr Herriot says the district council’s strategy is to make youth centres of excellence around South Gloucestershire – here they are proposing we specialise in multimedia. They want the centres to be open four nights a week – although the Bradley Stoke “hub” would be open seven days a week. We did a story about this a week back.

20.10: We’re now talking about youth services in Bradley Stoke with a presentation from Chris Herriot – he’s Principal Youth Service Manager Department for Children and Young People at South Gloucesteshire Council.

20.00: Chatter has been centered around opening up car parks early for school traffic – the council has agreed to open certain car parks, such as Bailey’s Court, during the school run for a trail period.
19.52: I had a quick chat with Ryan and mum Mary outside who says the new wheelchair should be with them within days – well done to them!

19.40: Bradley Stoke Town Council is to make a £400 donation towards an appeal by wheelchair footballer Ryan Abrahams towards his new chair, who we featured on this website back in July.

19.34: Another member of the public comes following on from a Safer, Stronger South Gloucestershire meeting where he calls for more involvement from town councillors in the initiative.

19.32: Mike Humphries from the Northavon Bowls Club stands up and claims they have a valid agreement to use the Bailey’s Court green. He says the town clerk has writen a letter to the greenkeeper asking for him to submit invoices to the town council. Mt Humphries says the club is already paying his wages. Mayor Robert Jones says the matter is in the hands of the lawyers and will not comment further.

19.31: Item one is submissions from the public …