Residents of Bradley Stoke are being asked for comments on the town council’s draft strategy for 2009-2014.

The document is currently being delivered to all homes in the town and sets out the authority’s objectives for the coming five years.

Among the pledges is a commitment to improve CCTV coverage at the town’s three activity centres.

They will be “reviewed and enhanced as required” under the plan drawn up by local councillors.

The council also wants to hear views on how it contributes towards a dedicated police officer for the town.

Other areas the strategy covers include:

• Increased profile for the town through use of public relations
• Ensuring youth facilities are maintained and improved
• Taking part in the Quality Status scheme for employees and councillors
• More partnerships with businesses, residents’ associations and voluntary bodies
• Seeking space for allotments either in Bradley Stoke or outside the town

Bradley Stoke Mayor, Mark Forsyth, said: “Your views are very much appreciated and we look forward to receiving them.”

The closing date for comments is 30 October 2009 – views can be sent to forwardplan@bradleystoke.gov.uk

→ Read the forward plan online here (PDF, 378k)

Bowling could return to Bailey’s Court after an agreement by the town council will see them negotiate with Bradley Stoke Bowls Club.

Northavon Bowls Club collapsed following a long-running battle over rent but councillors will now negotiate with the newly-formed team.

The decision, though, is only the start of the process with Jim Durlacher, former president of Northavon Bowls Club, warning it could take time to set up the team.

Mr Durlacher told the BBC that it “would not happen overnight” and that the original team took some 15 months to get started.

The town council has said it wants competative play to return in the 2010 season.

Deputy chair Ben Walker said: “I’m delighted my colleagues have supported this proposal, there are still some details to work out but we’re all looking forward to seeing the bowlers back on the green.”

Town Mayor Mark Forsyth said: “This is a fresh start for local bowlers and I’m looking forward to working with the new club.”

“This administration has always supported local sport and we work particularly closely with both football and cricket, there is no reason why bowls should be any different.”

Bowling is to return to Bradley Stoke next season after Bradley Stoke Town Council came to an agreement with a new club.

A former president of Northavon Bowls Club will form Bradley Stoke Bowls Club which will play at Baileys Court.

Northavon Bowls Club were evicted from the green earlier this year and the club was eventually disbanded.

The row got so heated that it made the pages of the local press and featured on regional TV.

But, the new club is set to take to the green following and agreement with the town council landlords.

More to follow on Thursday.

Bradley Stoke councillor David Skeet has stepped down from his Meadowbank seat, Bradley Stoke Town Council has announced.

Cllr Skeet, who had come under some criticism at council meetings for his poor attendance, has been suffering from illness.

He said in his resignation letter he had been “ill for some months” which “I have been criticised by members of the public”.

“I feel it is the best thing for the council that I step down and make way for a person who will be a more positive and active person for the ward,” he added.

Mayor Mark Forsyth thanked Cllr Skeet for his service and wished him well for the future.

“At the end of the day Town Councillors are all volunteers and sometimes life is for living,” said Cllr Forsyth.

The vacancy on the town council will now be advertised and if more than 10 residents of the ward request a by-election it will be held within 14 working days.

Footnote: Apologies for the lack of live coverage of the full council meeting – unfortunately family illness means we cannot attend.

The possible relocation of Bradley Stoke Town Council’s offices is set to be discussed at a meeting this week.

The Bradley Stoke Examiner revealed in January that the authority was considering a move from its Woodlands base to the Jubilee Centre.

Previously, the council has been considering moving to The Willow Brook Centre but the high costs involved led to the relocation falling through.

A working party was then set up after the idea of redeveloping the Jubilee Centre was mooted.

In July, the council decided to look “exclusively” at moving to the facility near to the new town centre.

It is thought the renovation of the Jubilee Centre would work out less expensive than the move to The Willow Brook Centre.

A survey is to be carried out about one of Bradley Stoke’s most hated features – its many speed bumps.

The Liberal Democrats announced they would carry out the study following complaints sent in to The Bradley Stoke Examiner.

We first told of residents complaining of damage to cars back in April with some readers claiming repair bills of around £1,000.

A straw poll on this website also showed some 87% of residents wanted them removed.

We also discovered the type of speed bumps installed in Bradley Stoke are now no longer used in South Gloucestershire – the district now favours the use of “raised tables”.

Lib Dem councillor Jon Williams said the dreaded bumps were only slowing down people in cars.

“Many people have remarked to me that the speed humps are a nuisance and they don’t slow down the white van drivers or the commercial vehicles and so the personal motorist is being penalised yet again.

“We will be conducting resident surveys over the next 6- 12 months and asking people their views on traffic calming and whether we need to get rid of the speed humps.

“We want local residents to let us know what they think about the current traffic calming measures and whether alternative measures should be used.

“This information will help us to decide what actions need to be taken to prevent further nuisance and damage to residents cars and will help us develop our policies for the local elections in 2011.”

But, Conservative councillor Robert Jones hit back saying the Lib Dems have waited too long to look at the issue.

“As a Bradley Stoke resident myself, I am astounded because this Liberal Democrat survey is coming nearly a decade too late – the Liberal Democrats should have surveyed local people before they installed these speed humps, not 10 years after.

“This strikes me to be a classic case of the Liberal Democrats once again trying to distance themselves of their own failed record on transport.”

• If you would like your views taken into account for the Lib Dem survey you can e-mail Jon on jon.williams@southglos.gov.uk

A working party looking at where Bradley Stoke Town Council’s offices should be have been told to look exclusively at options for the Jubilee Centre.

At a full town council meeting on Wednesday the working group was directed by councillors to look at the centre.

It means that any move to the Willow Brook Centre – as originally planned – is now very unlikely.

We revealed in January that the move to the town centre site was almost certainly dead.

It is thought the renovation of the Jubilee Centre would work out less expensive than the move to the Willow Brook Centre.

The group will look at either building next to, on top of or out from the Jubilee Centre to house the council’s admin staff.