News
![A photo of the Plumley Park South play area in Weston-super-Mare.](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-08/Play%20area%20consultation%20image.jpg?itok=yVDrOK3u)
12:00pm - 9 November 2022
Respondents that took part in a six-week consultation have helped to shape North Somerset Council’s plan to improve its play areas.
9:15am - 9 November 2022
Plans to reduce North Somerset’s greenhouse gas emissions and tackle the climate emergency have been approved by North Somerset Council.
![A photo of Portishead local residents with North Somerset Council councillors on land at the former Portishead Approach Golf Course.](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-11/Portishead%20Golf%20course.jpg?itok=H-ANG5gA)
3:45pm - 8 November 2022
North Somerset Council has secured the future of Portishead’s former approach golf course as a protected public open space for the longterm benefit of residents and visitors.
![Close up of lots of cigarette ends](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-11/cigarette%20ends.jpg?itok=8TNoWFUD)
9:09am - 8 November 2022
As this year’s Stoptober ends, North Somerset residents are being reminded that free support to help stop smoking is available all year round, with one man sharing his inspirational story of how the council’s Smokefree team helped him quit for good.
![Talk Money Week graphic - 7 to 11 November 2022 #TalkMoney](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-11/Talk%20Money%20Week.jpg?itok=805dZKDx)
5:20pm - 4 November 2022
It’s Talk Money Week next week (7-11 November) and North Somerset Council is encouraging everyone to come together and talk money in a bid to support each other during the current Cost of Living crisis.
![Walk leaders](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2021-06/walk%20leaders_0.jpg?itok=r3jWOVKV)
12:50pm - 4 November 2022
Do you love being out in the fresh air? Are you reasonably active? Would you like to help other people get healthier? If the answer to these questions is yes, then the free training from North Somerset Council to become a Health Walk Leader is for you!
![A photo of TV gardening personality Rachel de Thame presenting a certificate to representatives from Portishead in Bloom at the Britain in Bloom Awards 2022.](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-11/RHS%20Britain%20in%20Bloom%202022.jpg?itok=U30Z4Od2)
2:30pm - 3 November 2022
North Somerset communities have scooped a host of accolades in year's Britain in Bloom awards, including Portishead winning gold in the national competition.
![hands with red painted fingernails holding a warm drink in a black ceramic mug](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-09/preethika-anbalagan-Dcqe8uEtzmk-unsplash.jpg?itok=cAcJ4YfR)
3:41pm - 2 November 2022
More than 40 Community Living Rooms are now open across North Somerset as free and welcoming spaces for anyone who needs extra support to keep warm this winter.
![house on building plans](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2020-09/house%20on%20building%20plans.jpg?itok=Ji40fh5v)
12:45pm - 2 November 2022
Future possible housing and employment development on land owned by North Somerset Council will be considered by councillors at the full council meeting on Tuesday 8 November.
![Birnbeck Pier](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-10/Birnbeck%20Pier.jpg?itok=yb8jRLT7)
8:33am - 2 November 2022
Birnbeck Pier is to be awarded a £234,761 development grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the repair and regeneration of the Grade II* listed pier.
![Cost of Living advice through North Somerset Together](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-10/31343%20Cost%20of%20Living%20campaign%20v24.jpg?itok=0ls7n1HK)
4:11pm - 26 October 2022
North Somerset Council has announced further financial support for local residents struggling with essential living costs as part of its wider strategy to help local families with the cost-of-living crisis.
![child playing in autumn leaves](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-10/autumn-vibes-child-portrait-charming-red-hair-little-girl-looks-happy-walking-playing-t.jpg?itok=cM0sKZ_M)
8:33am - 25 October 2022
This half-term there are plenty of free and low-cost fun activities happening across North Somerset to help make the pennies go further for families feeling the squeeze.
![Birnbeck 2022](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-10/3F3A1519%20%281%29.jpg?itok=adLKd5tV)
Birnbeck Pier saved from brink of collapse as part of £20m government funding for England’s heritage
5:00pm - 20 October 2022
Birnbeck Pier will be saved from the brink of collapse thanks to £3,55m of funding awarded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund from the Cultural Assets Fund (CAF).
![group of people walking down a public footpath](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-04/walking%20groups.jpg?itok=XsXRWOtL)
3:00pm - 19 October 2022
North Somerset residents will be supported to get more active and improve their wellbeing thanks to funding announced by North Somerset Council and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (BNSSG ICB), as part of ongoing work to tackle health inequalities across the area.
![A vending machine for STI and HIV testing kits - tall, white machine with large touchscreen on the front](/sites/default/files/styles/150x120_scale_crop/public/2022-10/STI%20HIV%20testing%20kit%20vending%20machine%20example.jpg?itok=13_ff5D9)
10:10am - 19 October 2022
New vending machines offering free sexual health testing kits have been launched in four venues across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire by Unity Sexual Health, the sexual health service led by University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.