South Glos Lib Dems were celebrating last night following their latest election win in which the Lib Dems beat Reform UK by taking around 75% of the vote.

Residents of Frampton Cotterell rewarded Kate Andrews’ and Jon Lean’s campaign for seats on Frampton Cotterell Parish Council’s west ward by turning out in droves to vote for them. The turnout was 40.6% - extraordinarily high for a parish by election.

Following the result South Glos Lib Dem leader Maggie Tyrrell said, “I’m delighted that Frampton Cotterell residents turned out in such huge numbers to back Kate and Jon’s campaign and to roundly reject Reform at the ballot box. Just one week after local elections in which Reform made gains across the country, we’re demonstrating that here in South Gloucestershire their divisive, regressive policies are not welcome - and residents remain committed to building a fair, tolerant and welcoming community. Congratulations to Kate and Jon.”

At a meeting held on Friday 17th April, Liberal Democrats in Thornbury and Yate re-selected Claire Young to stand as their candidate at the next general election.

Claire Young is the current MP for the constituency, having overturned a majority of more than 12,000 votes to take the seat from the Conservatives in 2024.

Commenting on her selection, Claire said:

“It’s a great honour to be re-selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the next general election. 

“Being MP for Thornbury and Yate is an enormous privilege. I am pleased that I will have the opportunity to continue speaking out for residents and to continue to promote Lib Dem priorities for the country and our local area: improving the performance of the NHS, demanding better funding for our schools, and tackling the cost-of-living and energy crises.”

Jayne Stansfield, chair of South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats, added,

“Under the rules of our party, candidates don’t keep their post automatically between elections and have to win a vote of local members to stay on. 

“Claire was unanimously re-selected. This is testament to the dedication she has shown during her first term as MP for Thornbury and Yate and, before that, for her hard work over many years on South Gloucestershire Council. I look forward to helping get her re-elected as MP with an increased majority at the next general election - whenever that comes!”

South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats have announced their candidates for the upcoming Frampton Cotterell Parish Council By-Election.

Local residents Kate Andrews and Jon Lean are taking the fight to Reform UK on Thursday 14th May, to ensure that Frampton Cotterell Parish Council continues to be run for the benefit of all local people.

Kate is a mum of two amazing boys and lives locally in Frampton Cotterell. She teaches swimming to children as young as three years old, through to adults. She has also worked in a number of local primary schools specialising in SEND. She uses the knowledge, understanding and experience gained from these roles to engage positively with everyone she meets.

Kate is keen to give back to the community and feels that a role on the Parish Council would be an excellent way to achieve this.

Jon has lived locally in Coalpit Heath with his partner for 16 years and is currently one of the three district councillors for Frampton Cotterell ward. 

Well known for his campaigning against large-scale speculative development in the Green Belt; for better local transport and roads; against sewage pollution in The Frome; and for his collaborative approach with residents, Jon believes that decisions that affect local people are best taken locally - hence his desire to serve Frampton Cotterell residents at Parish level.

If elected, Kate and Jon would join Focus Team colleagues David Goodwin and Tristan Clark as members of Frampton Cotterell Parish Council.

For more information please see the campaign website.

South Gloucestershire Liberal Democrats are pleased that there has been sufficient improvements in air quality that the government has released the Council from it’s Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) directive now that air quality at the site has met national standards for two years running. Over the past 7 years the Council has closely monitored NO₂ levels by the A4174 Ring Road between the M32 and Bromley Heath roundabouts. This means the Council is now able to reopen Hambrook Junction. The junction is set to open at the end of April.

Local councillor for Frenchay and Downend Raj Sood has been working with the Council to ensure the air is of good enough quality to reopen the junction.

Cllr Sood says “I am very pleased that we have enough data to prove the junction can reopen safely now the pollution levels are under control. It’s great that there have been improvements in engine efficiency, and the increase in hybrid and electric vehicles so the Council is confident that the air quality will remain safe. I will continue to monitor these levels after the junction changes have been made to make sure the nearby residents do not suffer.”

South Glos Lib Dems have launched a campaign against proposals to build up to 1,350 new homes in the Green Belt east of Coalpit Heath.

Two separate proposals have been made by Bloor Homes and Edward Ware Homes for 450 homes and 900 homes respectively on land which is in the Green Belt, is not allocated in the emerging South Glos Local Plan and was previously rejected as part of the abandoned Joint Spatial Plan enquiry.

Much more information is available on the campaign website. 

The Liberal Democrat MP for Thornbury and Yate, Claire Young, has secured a promise from the Government to deal with so called fleecehold schemes by the end of this parliament. 

 Many households on new private estates are facing unregulated service charges from developers for communal area and facilities, such as playgrounds and green spaces. Despite paying these charges, it is often no guarantee that the work will get done. 

 In Thornbury and Yate, many residents are trapped in these “fleecehold” schemes where freehold buyers must pay hefty estate management fees for shared spaces, without leaseholder protections. These arrangements operate like leaseholds in all but name and leave homeowners exposed to unchallengeable charges.

 Claire Young challenged the minister in the Commons on the issue, asking  whether whether the Government could promise protection from this exploitation by the end of the parliament. The minister, Matthew Pennycook, gave Ms Young a one word answer - ‘yes’.

 Ms Young said: “I am delighted that the Government has given this unambiguous pledge.  Fleecehold schemes aren’t fit for purpose and need to be addressed as soon as possible to stop homeowners being ripped off.  I will keep pressing the Government to keeps its pledge.”