County Councillor Report –3rd June 2024

Prepared by County Cllr Linda Cohen

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

and Waste Disposal (not collection).

Highways

This month the public’s ire has been focussed on thoughtless parking and drivers’ failure to observe double yellow lines, dropped kerbs and t-bar markings.

There are particular issues in Bearlands / Wickfield, Parklands and on Gloucester Street. Where enforcement is possible, I will ask the police to attend. Separately I am going to speak to Highways about creating some social media posts which remind drivers where they can park.

Parklands is a separate issue. When cars are parked on both sides (legally) the road narrows and can prevent wider vehicles being able to pass. A tactical solution is needed which I am working on with Highways.

Efforts are focussed on resolving the outstanding issues which would allow us to make Symn Lane car park available for use. However, this will not solve all the problems and drivers will need to accept that they may have to park and walk.

There have been two incidents on the junction of Symn Lane and the new car park site due to an uneven surface which have resulted in pedestrians falling and being injured I have asked Highways with the Town Council to make these repairs.

The parking problems in Tabernacle have been reduced thanks to the co-operation of the owners of the auction rooms and the repainting of road markings.

North Nibley

Residents are expressing concern about the safety of children and families crossing the Wotton Road, at the crossroads from the Black Horse side to get to school. The traffic from Dursley travels at speed and the bend on the approach provides additional risk. I have asked the Road Safety team to come out and assess and see what can be done. They have suggested that police start random checks as there is already a VAS on the approach to both sides of the village. There has only been one slight injury collision in 2020 and the site wouldn’t qualify for an improvement scheme. I am speaking to the Think Travel team about a ‘school crossing patrol’ but footfall would need to be high to qualify.

Black Horse parking

The Black Horse is back and business is booming and we want to keep it that way but the byproduct as you would expect is customer parking. We can try and manage this with education, but we've now got reports of incidents on the corner of Tyndale Close off Barr's Lane where we have historically installed t-bar markings. The owners of the Black Horse will need to help by liaising with customers.

North Nibley School Lights

These were faulty and flashing but have been fixed.

FixMyStreet (gloucestershire.gov.uk)

Raising a Fix My Street ticket results in an immediate safety inspection which will trigger immediate resolution if there is any safety risk or a commitment to complete work e.g. potholes within 28 days. This can be used for any road problems including

overgrown hedges, damaged pavements or bridges.

Worth noting

New developments from GCC

Investment and innovation

1. Find and fix crews – teams focussing on finding smaller potholes and fixing them before they become a problem.
2. Spray injection patcher – the machine capable of fixing up to 100 potholes a day has been out tackling the worst that this wet winter has had to offer.
3. Cold material trials – an inventive material that is put down cold – this leads to less waste and can be laid in varying conditions.
4. JCB Pothole Pro - this 13-tonne machine cuts away damaged sections of the road surface, creating a clean slate for repair teams. By removing the damaged material efficiently, the machine streamlines the repair process.
5. Roadmender – a new piece of kit coming into the county at the end of May. It uses a layer of recycled material to cover and seal sections of the road and make repairs last longer.
6. Bobcat planer – a powerful saw to cut through layers of the road surface and remove damaged patches.

Together all these new innovations are being not just trialled but also reviewed so that Gloucestershire County Council can focus on the most efficient and cost-effective methods.

Road Closure

B4058 Rushmire Hill and Old London Road– Wotton Under Edge between 9:30 – 15:30 for one day. Monday 10th June 2024

Playgrounds, children and youth facilities

Bearlands – Has now been weeded and replanted

Developments

Symn Lane

I have met with fellow district councillors to discuss all the outstanding issues which mean that the car park cannot be adopted by the Town Council. I am endeavouring to meet with the developer.

Separately we have pulled together all the background information for a full briefing to new Town Councillors on June 4th.

Blue Coat Pathway

This work has been completed to provide a more serviceable path for pedestrians. I would ask the school governors to consider again my repeated requests to reduce the height of the trees along the back of Venn’s Acre which contribute towards making the path muddy and restrict the light for the properties which makes life miserable for the owners.

Hillesley Road Safety

We are considering the installation of ‘lead in’ posts to slow down traffic.

Kingswood Road Safety

There is to be further discussion about parking restrictions opposite Tubbs Turf.

Lengthsman Tidy

This work is now underway. Thank you for the suggestions from the parish councils that have already made contributions. Please can Gary Wilson or I have all requests by 14th June 2024.

Buses 84/85 (and all other services)

I am trying to meet with Dan Norris Mayor of WECA who is responsible for commissioning of public transport. There was due to be a public meeting on June 14th which I planned to attend but this has been cancelled due to the general election and his ambition to become a Labour MP.

I am talking separately to Transpora about a partial solution and have confidence in GCC to support the 84/85 service and I am working closely with South Glos but the control and decision making rests with WECA.

Barbara Lawrence and Janet Young are planning a protest march in July. Details to follow.

The Robin - bookable bus service launches

Gloucestershire County Council has launched the expansion of its on-demand bookable bus service, The Robin. This service will provide a link between Wotton, Kingswood and Cam and Dursley station.

Department for Transport (DfT) funding helped launch The Robin pilot, which currently operates in the Forest of Dean and the north Cotswolds. This pilot is now expanding into parts of Tewkesbury, Berkeley Vale and the south Cotswolds thanks to extra DfT funding of over £1.5million over two years.

The Robin is a local, friendly bookable bus service. Passengers search for their ideal journey and book a pickup and drop off location that suits them.

It's £2 per journey and connects passengers with transport links such as bus stops or directly to a location if there are no other transport options available.

The Robin improves connections between rural areas which often have infrequent or no other transport available. By offering this it increases access to services and the wider transport network in the county, expanding access to employment, education, healthcare and shopping.

• 17 June - Berkeley Vale

To book

Passengers can book by:

Phone – 0345 263 8139

Web - The Robin | Gloucestershire County Council

App - search for The Robin

Paying

Pay in advance on card or with cash or card to the driver.

Highways / PROW Alkington /Ham and Stone

I am continuing an audit with the Highways and PROW officers Please ask residents to share any trouble spots: linda.cohen@gloucestershire.gov.uk

Gloucestershire Libraries to launch more choirs to help combat loneliness (Not for our area but if residents are interested I can push for local funding)

Gloucestershire Libraries are expanding their library choirs, which aim to combat loneliness and isolation among the over-60s.

The first Library Choir was launched at Longlevens in November 2023, as part of a three-year Arts Council England (ACE) initiative focussing on Ageing with Creativity.

Now thanks to a successful National Lottery Awards For All funding application worth £16,400, the service can be rolled out to more communities following its success.

Choirs will be offered at Coleford and Tuffley libraries, starting in early July 2024. Each inclusive group invites people of all backgrounds to come together, celebrate the joy of singing and make new connections.

There is no requirement for any previous singing experience or for an audition, everyone is welcome.

An experienced choir leader will guide the group, ensuring that song choices are made together to reflect tastes and preferences.

Refreshments will be provided and there will be plenty of time to socialise, make new friendships and chat.

If you would like more information, please email libraries.development@gloucestershire.gov.uk or

speak to your local library.

Gloucestershire Economic Growth Board recruitment

Following the transfer of roles and responsibilities of GFirst LEP to Gloucestershire County Council, the county council is now starting the process of recruiting board members to join the new Gloucestershire Economic Growth Board.

This new Board will replace the GFirst LEP Board, act as an advisory board to the Gloucestershire City Region Board and the Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet.

The board will also offer economic insight of specific county council activities including; The Growth Hub network, inward investment, Made in Gloucestershire and business groups.

The call is now out for applications for board members that have the drive, passion and commitment to work with us to help make Gloucestershire the best place to do business in the country.

What are we looking for?

Persuasive and influential business leaders who will bring direction, energy and passion to the role and build upon Gloucestershire County Council’s reputation as the strategic leader in economic development in Gloucestershire. The aim is to construct a board that reflects the diverse needs and perspectives of our region, ensuring robust representation across key sectors and organisations.

Alongside representatives from local authorities, higher education and further education and business membership organisations we are looking for representatives from the private sector, in particular those who possess expertise and experience from the following key economic growth sectors;

• Future of Communications (cyber as was)
• Agri-Tech
• Construction
• Engineering
• Finance and professional services
• Energy
• Tourism/place making

If you believe that your skills, knowledge and experience align with any of these sectors, please email Karen Campbell (karen.campbell@gloucestershire.gov.uk) your CV with a covering letter by Friday 7 June 2024.

District Councillor’s Report – June 24

This is a very short summary of the activity in which I have been involved since I was elected at the

beginning of May. Full report to follow in early July.

Review of the proposed Old Town Renishaw site development by Lib Dem team:

The application site is located within the defined settlement limits for Wotton, where there is good access to bus provision, pedestrian and cycling routes. The site is sustainably located.

Part of the site is formerly developed and is also considered to be brownfield land.

There is an historic highway access that serves the site, but it is historic and constrained by its width and neighbouring residential units.

The site is within the Conservation Area and in close proximity to several listed buildings. Design and layout, context and character are key issues. Open spaces and impacts on the setting of the Conservation Area and Listed Buildings requires careful consideration and treatment.

The proposed development incorporates modern design that is quite brutal and does not appear to take its form from the surrounding architecture or pattern of development. It would appear in stark contrast to the existing setting; significantly detracting from its historic form and character.

The partial redevelopment of the site is supported, but this application does not represent the best solution in terms of its layout, or most importantly in its design or access.

The proposed development should be strongly resisted.

Support of M4 (2) and (3) standard adapted housing

I am working with parish councillors in Ham and Stone to campaign for the inclusion of more of this housing in new developments as well ensuring that developers adhere to M4 (1) regulations and to generally push for the provision of more affordable and social as well as an increase in the number of wheelchair accessible, adapted houses.

Planning applications

I have been asked for support with:

Planning Reference: S.24/0541/HHOLD - Application Date: 21/03/24

Planning Property: Country Airs, Taits Hill, Stinchcombe, Dursley, Gloucestershire. GL11 6PS

Potential rear access to No 45 Water Lane, Wotton-Under-Edge likelihood of access over Gloucestershire County Council Public Highway Land?

Londis Newsmarket Bin

The new management of Londis want the broken bin replaced.