Lib Dem Councillors Update: February 2026

12 Feb 2026

Key highlights

Libraries are at the “tough choices” stage: detailed recommendations are now published, with final decisions due at Full Council on 24 February 2026. (North Somerset Council)
Weston parking pilot goes live 16 February: permits are on sale now for 15 town-centre streets, and it will be monitored, tweaked, and potentially expanded if it works. (North Somerset Council)
Recycling centre visits now need a booking (Weston first): a slot system launched 2 February, with roll-out to other sites planned from 2 March. (North Somerset Council)
Birnbeck Pier restoration is shifting up a gear: major kit is arriving, the car park is shut for works, and completion is expected by summer 2027. (North Somerset Council)
Tree-cycling smashed records: about 4,000 trees reused at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, and over £41k raised across two hospices. (North Somerset Council)
A big governance question is coming: consultation is proposed for February to March 2026 on joining the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, with a possible join date in late 2026 or early 2027 if approved. (North Somerset Council)

Library service shake-up proposals published (3 February 2026): the council says it must find £433,000 savings while still meeting legal duties. The recommended package includes: possible closure of Winscombe if a community-led solution cannot be agreed (by end of March 2027), closure of Worle Library and Children’s Centre due to building costs, retaining Pill Library, and reduced staffed hours with some expanded self-service hours. No decision until 24 February 2026. (North Somerset Council)
Library consultation results (14 January 2026): close to 5,000 responses, with options covering staffing hours, outreach, book budgets, and whether some libraries move to community management or close, feeding into the February decision meeting. (North Somerset Council)
New electric library outreach vehicle (28 January 2026): funded with over £309k from the Libraries Improvement Fund via Arts Council England plus £40k match, aimed at rural and underserved areas with on-board Wi-Fi and flexible space. Mini “show-and-tell” visits were planned at regular stops over the following two weeks. (North Somerset Council)

Residents parking scheme pilot, Weston-super-Mare: permits available from 2 February, pilot starts 16 February. Residents-only bays run Mon to Sat, 8am to 7pm, with resident, business, customer, and visitor options. (North Somerset Council)
Bus lane closure for upgrade works (Bristol Road): the lane closes to general traffic from 28 January so Openreach can divert utilities ahead of the wider Queensway junction improvement works expected to begin in June. (North Somerset Council)
Worle interchange works also queued up: utility work was due to start end of February for around eight weeks, with outbound “X” buses temporarily using the stop outside Food Warehouse to keep services moving. (North Somerset Council)
Winterstoke Road bridge: the WWII-era bridge was demolished over Christmas (much of it on Christmas Day to avoid train disruption). A temporary footbridge keeps step-free pedestrian access, piling and foundations were due to start next, and the replacement is designed for a 120-year lifespan. (North Somerset Council)
Birnbeck Pier: big equipment arrivals, foreshore and pier works, and the car park closure from 2 February to support site set-up. The council expects pier works completed by summer 2027. (North Somerset Council)

Recycling centre booking system (from 2 February): you now book a slot to visit the Weston site, with booking possible up to two weeks ahead (or as late as 10 minutes before, availability permitting). The council says it will reduce queues, cut idling emissions, and prevent out-of-area use, and is aiming to extend to Portishead and Backwell from 2 March after monitoring. (North Somerset Council)
Tree-cycling results: about 4,000 trees were reused for animal enrichment and chipping at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm. Fundraising totals included £21,400+ for St Peter’s Hospice (from 1,075 trees) and £19,872.50 for Weston Hospice (from 940 trees). (North Somerset Council)
Master composters recruitment: volunteering scheme run with Garden Organic, with volunteers having spoken to 3,000+ residents over four years. Next training day was set for 14 March at Yeo Valley Organic Gardens, with an application deadline of 28 February. (North Somerset Council)

Independent Living Centre relocation: open day was held 28 January (10am to 4pm) at the new Worle site, offering demos of home adaptation and equipment, plus advice from local services and suppliers. (North Somerset Council)
Physical Activity Fund: grants of up to £2,000 for community projects supporting people to be more active, with a focus on groups facing the biggest barriers. The application closing date was 31 January 2026. (North Somerset Council)

Food hygiene prosecution: a Weston-super-Mare business owner was ordered to pay £10,504.62 after admitting multiple breaches linked to unhygienic handling of meat and fish deliveries and poor temperature control and traceability. (North Somerset Council)

Libraries: Full Council decision point on 24 February 2026 (with the published recommendations and evidence now available). (North Somerset Council)
Weston parking pilot: scheme goes live 16 February 2026, with monitoring and possible expansion if successful. (North Somerset Council)
Pride in Place leadership roles: South Ward is set to receive up to £20 million over 10 years, and applications for Chair and Deputy Chair close at 5pm on 16 February 2026 (interviews scheduled 27 February). (North Somerset Council)
Combined authority consultation: proposed for February to March 2026, with a potential join date late 2026 or early 2027 if everything is approved and legislated. (North Somerset Council)