You can use this link to order home test kits for school, nursery and college testing.

From the website:

‘Use this service to order free rapid lateral flow test kits to be sent to your home in England.

You can order kits to test your household, childcare bubble or support bubble if at least one member:

• is a school, nursery or college pupil
• works in a school, nursery or college (this includes temporary workers or volunteers)
• works in an occupation related to a school, nursery or college

A test kit contains 7 tests. You can order one test kit per household each day.

A flatshare or house share counts as a household.’

I regularly report fly-tipping, litter and full bins for collection by the council. I am very active in the ward checking on these issues.

Unfortunately several instances of fly-tipping have still not been cleared.

At the last full council of this year I proposed a motion with my Liberal Democrat colleagues, that the council needed to take urgent action on litter and fly-tipping in the city, including a root and branch review of the service.

The Conservative administration voted to amend our motion and merely ‘implement the litter strategy’.

On April 1st 2022, Ubico will take over the council waste contract.

The service is currently provided by Urbaser (Amey).

I will keep pressing for a better, more responsive waste collection service.

There will be some free events for children in the holidays.

They can attend the Not So Secret Book Club at Robinswood Hill, on Tuesday 6th April and Wednesday 14th April, both at 11am-2pm.

Covid measures will be in place. Visit Read with Me for more information.

When out in the ward last week I noticed this bus stop sign on Bristol Road had been knocked over and moved to the roadside.

The base was exposed and could have been dangerous.

I wrote to the relevant department at the council and asked for this to be made safe urgently. The team responded next day to say it would be attended, and when I checked the other day it had been removed for repair.

I will check to see when it goes back up.

I am calling on the city council to replace the rubbish and dog waste bin at Milton Avenue.

The public waste bin has a mismatched lid which doesn’t fit properly, and the dog waste bin is rusted through and not fit for purpose.

They need repairing or replacing ASAP.

Do let me know if you spot a bin that needs action.

I contacted the council about the litter over the bridge, opposite Ashville Road.

As a resident has pointed out, it tends to collect in the hedges as the wind blows it.

I requested a litter pick which has been done, but I am also calling on the council to find a solution at this location.

A message from Dame Janet Trotter:

I wanted to make you aware of a special event happening in Gloucestershire on Thursday 1 April at 12pm. At midday, my colleagues and I on the Child Friendly Coalition Board will be making as much noise as possible to show our appreciation to our children and young people.

Recently I was struck that as adults, many of us have not said ’thank you’ to our children and young people for all they have done and sacrificed during the past year. This is a chance to change that.

We are asking those who are still in school to take just a minute to thank their pupils and ask the children to give themselves a round of applause. Please do not attend the schools, I ask that you take to your doorsteps and make as much noise as possible.

We have Clapped for our Carers. We have Clapped to celebrate the life of Captain Sir Tom Moore. Now we ask that you Clap for our Children.

Best wishes
Dame Janet Trotter
Chair of Child Friendly Gloucestershire

You can find details of your Podsmead police team here. I work regularly with them to keep our area safe and secure.

If you have information relating to a crime you can log this with 101. In an emergency, dial 999.

If you are changing clocks and perhaps batteries in your household because of the hour change at the weekend, it could be a good opportunity to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can save your loved ones’ lives as well as your own. Early detection of fires saves lives and can reduce damage to house and contents. Statistics show that fewer deaths or serious injuries occur in households where smoke alarms are installed and maintained. You can find further information on these lifesaving devices from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue here.

Don’t forget – the clocks go forward an hour tonight!

We lose an hour’s sleep, but it will mean the evenings are lighter.

It is seen by many as one of the signs of spring coming.

A lot of modern devices like smartphones will add the hour automatically. But for traditional clocks and watches, and some digital clocks, you will need to adjust them yourselves (or wait six months!)