6th July 2024
Jury equity
Jury finds three Just Stop Oil petrol pump protestors not guilty despite all their legal defences being ruled out. A unanimous Not Guilty verdict was returned.
They were charged with £190,000 of damage and loss of earnings for decommissioning petrol pumps in April 2022.
Some say this is astonishing.
It's not really. It is called jury equity.
Any jury may consider that the law itself is unjust. It is an important principle and indicates public opposition to aspects of law, in this case, the 'lawful' behaviour of fossil fuel corporations.
Press release here: https://juststopoil.org/2024/06/05/jury-finds-just-stop-oil-supporters-not-guilty-in-petrol-pump-case/
#activism
3rd July 2024
A worrying casework issue. I was asked by a resident if there has been a 'change of use' for one of the shops on the High Street.
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.
- A new premises licence application for sale of alcohol at The Rest, Court Farm, Kings Stanley, Gloucestershire, GL10 3PN
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.
Video recording
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.
Video recording
Other news
Prepared by Cllr Gareth Kitchen based on councillor activity in June with updates from Cllr Linda Cohen & Cllr Catherine Braun.
#sdc
17th June 2024
It was a pleasure to attend the Wotton Town Council meeting last night and I took some informal notes.
18th June 2024
Voices of Hope in a Time Crisis
This 35-minute film is a united call for a new economy, delivered by those who have committed their lives to working for systemic change.
We live in a time of multiple crises, from climate chaos, poverty, and war to skyrocketing costs of living. It can seem overwhelming – until we realise that we have the power to change things. ‘Closer to Home’ brings together an extraordinary array of thinkers, writers, and activists from every continent to make a simple but revolutionary argument: by reducing the scale of the economy, we can not only stop the rush towards social and ecological breakdown, but restore damaged ecosystems and increase our own personal well-being.
It’s a message of hope that the world cannot afford to ignore.
https://spectra.video/w/qYZgXzDJaVKzkZrn1Pw1Z3
Local Futures is an international non-profit organisation, dedicated to renewing ecological and social well-being by strengthening communities and local economies.
To learn more about their work, visit: https://www.localfutures.org/
Subscribe to their email newsletter: https://www.localfutures.org/sign-up-...
15th June 2024
Grants of £3,000 – £20,000
I've discovered that Stroud District Council was awarded £400,000 in 2023 via the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
So, local community groups and organisations in Wotton, North Nibley & Stinchcombe can apply for grants of £3,000 – £20,000 from it.
Applications can be made until 10 January 2025.
The money can be used to support capital projects for small businesses and community organisations which aim to strengthen our local economy and infrastructure.
It has to be for capital projects and must be spent on lasting assets such as a building or equipment. Interestingly capital expenditure can include websites but not small items, such as crockery, cutlery, kettles & toasters etc.
In most cases, 60% match funding will be required, although 100% funding up to £10,000 may be considered in special circumstances.
Contact me for further details.
#sdc
12th June 2024
It was a pleasure to attend my first Stinchcombe Parish Council meeting last Wednesday night along with SDC Cllr Braun and GCC/SDC Cllr Cohen. Here are my personal notes.
5th June 2024
It was a pleasure attending such a vibrant and professional Parish Council meeting last night.
