Wotton-under-Edge, North Nibley & Stinchcombe

Prepared by Cllr Gareth Kitchen based on my activity in May.

• Stroud District Council and Committee papers

• Recordings of meetings

SDC Meetings

Council - AGM

With the elections on May 2nd there was just one meeting in May, the AGM. This is where councillors are allocated to the various committees and chairs appointed.

The Greens being the largest party is reflected in the makeup of each committee.

Gareth Kitchen is serving on the Audit and Standards Committee

Catherine Braun is serving on the Strategy and Resources Committee

Linda Cohen is serving on the Strategy and Resources Committee and the Housing Committee

Garden Waste

I've had meetings with the Community Services Manager following SDC's decision to operate a Garden Waste service back in 2016.

Residents in Merlin Haven, like others in the town and district, cannot take advantage of the service because the 26t lorry can't navigate the narrow access. Apparently, the Council has an obligation to offer all paid services to all residents or not at all which came as a bit of surprise to me.

So, with this in mind and also taking into account other changes relating to recycling more generally, the officers are likely to be recommending a substantial upgrade to provision more generally. As I understood, this will involve purchase of smaller, lower capacity, vehicles as well as 4x4 pickup style vehicles to pickup and drop-off more remote locations etc.

These plans are at conception stage and would need to work their way through the democratic process ultimately to full council as there will undoubtedly be cost implications. I would guess that implementation will be about two years away.

I did discuss the possibility (for Merlin Haven residents) of carting bins/sacks upto Westfields for collection, but they said it was not practical for them to deal with ad-hoc arrangements. I got the impression that this had been tried elsewhere and there were knock on consequences.

Afterwards I did start to wonder if a community composting scheme could be a thing? It could make big difference to emissions if we could recycle this 'waste' locally.

Symn Lane Car Park

Following receipt of a Stripe Consulting Report and other documentation from the Town Council I've had a meeting with the other district councillors in order to get up to speed with the development and what's required to get the highway adopted by GCC and the car park signed off by the Town Council.

Everyone wants the car park to be opened as soon as possible. However, the developer left site a year ago and there are unresolved planning matters.

The schedule of works is long and complex. Watch this space!

Planning applications

I have been asked for advice with a development in Old Town. I've met with the developer to discuss concerns. Also met with residents and offered advice on process and how best to voice their concerns effectively. I was unable to offer much help with a barn conversion in North Nibley because no pre-planning advice was sought and Highways have objected. See my post on the pre-planning service offered by SDC.

Miscellaneous

• Advice on accessibility to the Chapel's Mill
• Advice on eviction and being made homeless
• Numerous ad-hoc enquires

Parish Meetings

• WTC AGM 20/5
• NN AGM 13/5

Misc Meetings

• SDC AGM 23/5
• SDC Numerous meetings