SDC Councillors' Report
2nd July 2024
Along with residents' casework and in addition to council and training meetings at Ebley Mill, Cllrs Kitchen, Braun & Cohen attended the regular council meetings at North Nibley, Stinchcombe & Wotton-under-Edge. Other meetings of note included one organised by WTC orienting new town councillors with the Symn Lane Car Park.
Linda's main project this month has been a review of the hedgerows and pathways around Wotton to establish the responsibility for maintenance to sort out any anomalies and ensure that GCC, Stroud District Council and Wotton Town Council keep pathways/highways clear and safe and ensure that the Town looks its best. Linda also attended the Wotton Community Land Trust meeting which has been set up to Save Brown's Piece. She subsequently met with committee members to share fundraising experience / advice and to ensure that the land is secured for future generations of residents and that we preserve the wildlife in the heart of the town.
Catherine attended numerous meetings and events, including a Market Towns Forum meeting, Gloucestershire City Region Board, Stroud Local Strategic Partnership, One Legal Management Board, Cotswold Canals Connected project meeting, Corporate Induction event for new staff, a Community Wealth Building workshop, Tricorn House Stakeholders Group, South West Councils Resources & Management Committee, Local Government Association Independent Group Council Leaders meeting, Leadership Gloucestershire, Council Leadership meetings, training events, Rural England Prosperity Fund grants panel meeting, Greenway project meeting with Sustrans and GCC, a celebration event for school students from the Sustainability and Environmental Education programme, briefing on the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy, and a Skills Conference at the SGS campus in Filton, organised by SGS colleague and Business West.
Council meetings
Link to meeting agenda and documents in the committee title.
Development Control Committee – 11th June
- Meeting cancelled.
Licensing Sub-Committee – 17th June
- A new premises licence application for sale of alcohol at The Rest, Court Farm, Kings Stanley, Gloucestershire, GL10 3PN
Environment Committee – 20th June
With so many new councillors this meeting was mainly about allocating members to outside bodies and receiving some officer/member reports. Along with routine performance monitoring and work programme review.
Housing Committee – 25th June
Updated Housing and Tenancy Fraud Policy.
A detailed review of budgets for the Housing Revenue Account. SDC has successfully brought in nearly £4m in three bids from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Along with other successful bids and matched funding these monies will cascade down into many local retrofit projects for council homes.
Noted that the Council carefully reviews council housing complaints.
Approval of a change to the Temporary Accommodation Strategy to grow provision within the district, which will help support people as they move into longer term accommodation and avoid homeless people being sent to B&Bs further away.
Community Services & Licensing Committee – 27th June
Licences that permit small businesses to have tables and chairs outside their property were reviewed following measures brought in during Covid. They are now able to obtain two year licences for £240pa.
Maximum fares for licensed taxis and other requirements, such as vehicle age and emissions were reviewed. Public notices will be published.
Funding was allocated for play areas around Stratford Park. The committee also recommended a 5 year capital investment program for Stratford Park Leisure Centre and Lido of £2.7m.
Other news
People of all abilities and mobilities are invited to take part in The Lock Challenge, a fully accessible day to encourage people to enjoy canals in the Stroud district. https://thelockchallenge.co.uk/
Stroud District Council is looking for two tenant representatives for council tenants. https://www.stroud.gov.uk/news/become-a-tenant-rep-and-help-shape-the-councils-housing-service/
Public Notice – Audit of Accounts 2023/24. https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/about-the-council/public-notices/public-notice-audit-of-accounts-202324/
Prepared by Cllr Gareth Kitchen based on councillor activity in June with updates from Cllr Linda Cohen & Cllr Catherine Braun.