Cllr Gareth Kitchen

Information | Community Newspaper | SDC | Council Meetings Green Party District Councillor for Wotton-under-Edge, North Nibley & Stinchcombe, Gloucestershire, UK. Elected 2nd May 2024. Serving on the SDC Audit & Standards Committee and Gloucestershire Police & Crime Panel. 📧 cllr.gareth.kitchen@stroud.gov.uk ☎️ +44 7396 840710 For urgent and secure messaging use Signal: eco_g_20.24 or less securely, e-mail. (Voicemail, WhatsApp & SMS messages are responded to most evenings after work.) ℅ Cookability, 35 Long Street, Wotton-under-Edge, GL12 7BX Privacy Policy - https://www.stroud.gov.uk/privacynotice Promoted by Rob Brookes on behalf of Stroud District Green Party, at 17 Great George St, Bristol BS1 5QT. Find me on the Fediverse (Social media without adverts, algorithms or outrage) here:-

https://stroud.social/eco-g

Wotton Town Council Meeting - November 2024

November 19, 2024•1,073 words

Wotton Town Council Meeting 18th November 2024 I attended a meeting of Wotton Town Council meeting last night along with SDC Cllr Cohen and SDC Cllr Braun, I took some informal notes. Before the meeting there was talk of the gargantuan size of Council agenda packs. This months WTC pack weights in at 273 pages. A Cllr. is gobsmacked that these are still being printed out. I didn't pipe up that my last SDC Audit and Standards pack was close to 400 pages, but sent electronically. There ha...

SDC Strategic Leadership Team Wotton Ward Walk - November 2024

November 14, 2024•471 words

Wotton Ward Walk 13th November 2024 A beautiful day to show the Stroud District Council Strategic Leadership Team around Wotton Ward with fellow district councillors Linda Cohen and Catherine Braun. I took some notes. We met up in the Civic Centre car park and started off looking at the new SDC council housing site between Bradley Street & Gloucester Street take a look at the demolished buildings and discuss timescale for redevelopment which will be starting before the end of the financ...

Stinchcombe Parish Council Meeting - November 2024

November 13, 2024•408 words

Stinchcombe Parish Council Meeting 13th November 2024 It was a pleasure to attend the Stinchcombe Parish Council meeting last Wednesday night along with SDC Cllr Braun and GCC/SDC Cllr Cohen. Here are some of my personal notes. Just one member of the parish came to the public forum so that they could respond to any questions about their planning application which the council were considering. The agenda item was moved forward. A quick few questions on the application and the Chair said ...

North Nibley Parish Council Meeting November 2024

November 7, 2024•435 words

North Nibley Parish Council Meeting 6th November 2024 Again it was a pleasure to attend fast moving and professional Parish Council meeting last night along with Cllr Braun and Cllr Cohen. I took some informal notes. No members of the public present this time. A brisk run through the 'Action Tracker'. A list is maintained of all actions which are properly managed ensuring that prior tasks don't slip through the cracks. :) Minutes approved. The council is still on the look out for peopl...

Gloucestershire Police & Crime Panel - November 2024

November 4, 2024•1,191 words

Summary - Shire Hall A meeting summary and some personal notes authored by Cllr. Gareth Kitchen, SDC. This post is an early draft of content that will form the basis of a collaborative report feeding into the Community Services and Licensing Committee at SDC. Webcast of meeting. Agenda packs etc. A few apologies, minutes of the previous meeting approved and no declarations of interest. Chief Executive Report The report centred on recent events involving the suspension of the Chief Co...

Bolster Wotton - October 2024

November 3, 2024•631 words

Bolster Wotton Meeting 30th October 2024 Following a meet up with the three other local District councilors I went to a well attended meeting for Bolster Wotton last Wednesday evening at the Chipping Hall along with Cllr Braun and Cllr Cohen. I took some informal notes. Christmas under the Edge The meeting kicked off with an overview of Christmas under the Edge outdoor event scheduled for 7th December, 4pm-8pm in the town centre. Bookings are now being taken for stalls. To book please ...

SDC Councillors' report - November 2024

November 1, 2024•434 words

Wotton-under-Edge, North Nibley & Stinchcombe 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. Council meetings Link to meeting agenda and documents in the committee title. Strategy & Resources Committee - 10th Oct SDC to enter into a Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit Partnership Collaboration Agreement betwe...

Wotton Town Council Meeting - October 2024

October 23, 2024•864 words

Wotton Town Council Meeting 21st October 2024 I attended a meeting of Wotton Town Council meeting on Monday along with SDC Cllr Cohen and SDC Cllr Braun, I took some informal notes but I've had trouble checking detail as we didn't receive backing papers this month. :( Before the meeting a couple of people gave me a very hard time about a shopkeeper/business who is parking selfishly on the High Street assisted by a Facebook group. Traffic Wardens have been in the town every other day it s...

Symn Lane Car Park Site History

October 19, 2024•388 words

Background February 2015 The project gets its first public announcement. 10 homes, 100 car park spaces. March 2016 Public consultation at Wotton Civic Centre. Planning Oct 2017 Planning application for the construction of 12 homes, access road and car park for 80 cars and 2 coaches. S.17/2307/FUL for the houses and car park Town Council - Oppose Permitted August 2019 July 2019 Section 106 signed Clearly states that three of the twelve homes to be affordable units Clearly shows t...

Stinchcombe Parish Council Meeting October 2024

October 10, 2024•293 words

Stinchcombe Parish Council Meeting 9th October 2024 Again, it was a pleasure to attend Stinchcombe Parish Council meeting last night along with SDC Cllr Braun. Here are my personal notes. There was an update on actions from the previous meeting. Some discussion of first aid training to complement the defibrillators. A member of the public was able to speak at the public forum to raise the work of Stinchcombe Speed Watch relating to the levels of speeding on the lower part of Taits Hil...

SDC Councillors' report - October 2024

October 5, 2024•1,840 words

Wotton-under-Edge, North Nibley & Stinchcombe 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. Cllr Linda Cohen is running an initiative with a number of libraries in October for Greener Libraries week (including Wotton) which will encourage children to think about the impact of litter on environment and will involve s...

North Nibley Parish Council Meeting - October 2024

October 3, 2024•401 words

North Nibley Parish Council Meeting 2nd October 2024 It was a pleasure attending the Parish Council meeting last night along with Cllr Braun. Here are my personal notes. One member of the public present. They were very concerned about the speed of traffic coming into the town from Dursley. Since the laurel trees have been cut back it seems to have made the problem worse. There was also concern about the speed of traffic by the school. The road is quite narrow by the church. They sugge...

County Councillor Report - September 2024

October 1, 2024•3,590 words

County Councillor Report – 30th September 2024 Prepared by Cllr Linda Cohen Reproduced with permission MY CONTACT DETAILS If you have any ideas that you’d like to discuss or community / personal issues that need my help please get in touch. Email linda.cohen@gloucestershire.gov.uk 07791110906 My remit includes: Education, Highways, Children and Families Services, Health and Social Care, The Environment, Apprenticeships, Employment and Business, Fire and Rescue, Police, Trading Standards an...

Perception of Crime Survey 2024

September 26, 2024•97 words

The 2024 Perception of Crime survey from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in Gloucestershire is now live and will run until the end of October. To take part in this survey you must be aged 16 or over. Please follow the instructions for each question carefully. Everything you tell us will be treated in the strictest confidence – we definitely won’t pass your details on to anyone else. The survey will take will take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. https://www.ibyd.com/glosop...

Human Rights Act 1998

September 19, 2024•262 words

Freedom of Expression 19th September 2024 Article 10 protects your right to hold your own opinions Article 10 protects your right to hold your own opinions and to express them freely without government interference. This includes the right to express your views aloud (for example through public protest and demonstrations) or through: published articles, books or leaflets television or radio broadcasting works of art the internet and social media Background My blog posts sometimes get ...

Wotton Town Council Meeting - September 2024

September 17, 2024•603 words

Wotton Town Council Meeting 16th September 2024 I attended a meeting of Wotton Town Council meeting last night along with SDC Cllr Cohen and SDC Cllr Braun, I took some informal notes. Two apologies from Cllrs. and the Mayor questioned if the reasons were valid. One Cllr declared an interest on the Planning item. Previous minutes were approved, but one Cllr questioned how the Action Points were tracked and a discussion ensued. [Performance Management and Risk registers seem to be a ho...

WhatsApp

September 15, 2024•140 words

Great. This mobile device was purchased solely for Council work and to deal with WhatsApp. I purchased it from my own pocket as SDC won't permit mobile phones against expenses. Now WhatsApp, a Meta owned company, have discontinued support on these devices. At least you can contact me quickly and securely using Signal or e-mail. Signal is a great company and their product is just as effective as WhatsApp but without all the tracking, privacy and metadata issues associated with Meta/Faceboo...

Wotton-under-Edge Ward Infographic

September 14, 2024•52 words

Wotton-under-Edge Ward Some interesting facts about Wotton-under-Edge from a few different data sources:- Mid 2020 population estimates, ONS 2011 Census : Crime rate, Gloucestershire Constabulary: Unemployment Claimant Count, ONS For Further information please visit: https://inform.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ Produced by: Rachel Morgan, Data and Analysis Team, Gloucestershire County Council ...

Rushmire Hill - Closure

September 13, 2024•270 words

Rushmire Hill - Upcoming works and road closure Summary The B4058, Rushmire Hill, connects Wotton-under-Edge with Nailsworth, Stroud and Tetbury. Over the years Rushmire Hill has been subject to repeat disruption due to unstable ground below a section of the road. GCC have been closely monitoring and investigating since 2016 and different phases of resurfacing have been carried out to maintain road access. Highways will now carry out a large-scale repair to ensure the long-term stabilit...

Pension Credit

September 11, 2024•209 words

I spent Sunday at Mum's. Going through bank statements and savings to see if she could claim Pension Credit. Pension Credit will give her extra money to help with her living costs as she's over State Pension age without much income. Pension Credit is worth, on average, £3,900 per year and unlocks additional support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with Council Tax, NHS dental care and a free TV licence. Luckily she has broadband and is able to access the Government web site. https://ww...

Gloucestershire Police & Crime Panel - September '24

September 11, 2024•1,883 words

Summary - Shire Hall A meeting summary and personal notes authored by Cllr Gareth Kitchen, SDC. This post is an early draft of content that will form the basis of a collaborative report feeding into the Community Services and Licensing Committee at SDC. Webcast of meeting. Agenda packs etc. A few apologies and a few new representatives, minutes of the previous meeting approved and no declarations of interest. Recent national public disorder - Gloucestershire response PCC was impresse...

North Nibley Parish Council Meeting - September 2024

September 4, 2024•392 words

North Nibley Parish Council Meeting 4th September 2024 It was a pleasure attending the Parish Council meeting last night along with Cllr Braun and Cllr Cohen last night. After the normal formalities there was discussion on the progress of various activities councillors are working on. Talk of expanding the defibrillators out from the central area to Waterley Bottom etc. The embryonic idea of a cycleway to link up to the Wotton - Charfield Greenway. Tree surgery work in the churchyard. C...

County Councillor Report - September 2024

September 3, 2024•3,298 words

County Councillor Report – 3rd September 2024 Prepared by Cllr Linda Cohen Reproduced with permission MY CONTACT DETAILS If you have any ideas that you’d like to discuss or community / personal issues that need my help please get in touch. Email linda.cohen@gloucestershire.gov.uk 07791110906 My remit includes: Education, Highways, Children and Families Services, Health and Social Care, The Environment, Apprenticeships, Employment and Business, Fire and Rescue, Police, Trading Standards an...

SDC Councillors' report - September 2024

September 1, 2024•813 words

Wotton-under-Edge, North Nibley & Stinchcombe Local News Dryleaze – Independent Living scheme - SDC will be undertaking modernisation works to the communal lounge and kitchen in Dryleaze House, starting at the end of September. A consultation meeting was held in July with residents and a meeting is scheduled for residents to meet with and ask question to the appointed site manager, on Tuesday 10th September between 10:00 and 11:00. Council meetings Link to meeting agenda and documents...

Wotton Town Council Meeting - August 2024

August 20, 2024•539 words

Wotton Town Council Meeting 19th August 2024 I attended a packed meeting of Wotton Town Council meeting last night along with Cllr Cohen and I took some informal notes. There were thirty or forty members of the public present. All, bar one, campaigners for saving the 84/85 bus route. One member of the public, representing Wotton Lions, was seeking reduced rates for Town Hall hire for a charity fundraiser to celebrate the life of Pat Comer. Items 9&5 on the agenda was brought forwar...

Gloucestershire Economic Growth/City Region Board

August 17, 2024•301 words

Gloucestershire Economic Growth/City Region Board Stroud Times Article 17th August 2024 (Facebook wouldn't let me post this on my Councillor page as it goes against their community standards!!! It also got me banned from the platform for a couple of days.) GFirstLEP pretty successful? The inability of GFirst LEP to deliver their Industrial Strategy left the County economically rudderless for five years. It's more than disappointing that the aged draft version of that flawed strategy was...

SDC Councillors' report - August 2024

August 2, 2024•826 words

Wotton-under-Edge, North Nibley & Stinchcombe Along with residents' casework and in addition to council and induction training meetings at Ebley Mill, Cllrs Kitchen, Braun & Cohen attended the regular council meetings at North Nibley, Stinchcombe & Wotton-under-Edge as well as a Symn Lane Car Park meeting 30th July. Cllr Kitchen attended various meetings relating to the Gloucestershire Police & Crime Panel and the re-appointment of Nick Evans the Deputy PCC. Cllr Braun atten...

Stinchcombe Parish Extraordinary Council Meeting

August 1, 2024•206 words

Stinchcombe Parish Extraordinary Council Meeting 1st August 2024 It was a pleasure to attend Stinchcombe Parish Council meeting last night. Here are my personal notes. Again, it's good to see residents bringing issues to Council for discussion. It is difficult to find the minutes and agenda on the current web site, it was asked if the last set had actually been uploaded. The Chair advised that a new web site was being setup which should make things easier to find. An update about wh...

Gloucestershire Police & Crime Panel - July '24

July 30, 2024•1,343 words

Summary - Shire Hall A meeting summary and personal notes authored by Cllr Gareth Kitchen, SDC. An early draft of this content will form the basis of a collaborative report that will feed into the Community Services and Licensing Committee at SDC. Webcast of meeting. Agenda packs etc. Update from the PCC The PCC was asked for brief highlights. Worries about funding channelled to urban areas. Wants to up the game re VAWG (Violence against women and girls) PCC managed to get £1m. to d...

Wotton Town Council Meeting - July 2024

July 16, 2024•670 words

Wotton Town Council Meeting 16th July 2024 I attended the Wotton Town Council meeting last night with Cllr Braun and I took some informal notes. Excellent news to start the meeting. Two people were co-opted onto the Town Council; Paul Jones and Paul Barton who has returned after a period of absence. But there is still room for more! There were a number of parishioners present for the public forum. It was decided to bring item 7ii forward for discussion. Jeff Walshe from the Herit...