Stinchcombe Parish Council Meeting

2nd October 2025

My informal notes from last Wednesdays Parish Council meeting that I attended on my own as Cllrs. Braun and Cohen had other meeting to attend.

Great to see a new Cllr joining the team; Jon Powlesland who recently moved to Stinchcombe. Chartered accountant by background and has worked for various corporates. Currently at the National Trust.

One person arrived for the public forum arrived but left after talking with the Chair. They thought there would be an item on the Swedish homes. Also they wanted to raise that the telephone box was looking tatty.

It was noted that Highways are ordering a new sign for play area. After a site meeting it was apparent that there is no suitable GCC land for a sign along Wick Lane. However, there is a place at the edge of the playground. If placed in the playing field itself it would be clearly visible on the approach to the playground entrance. Some drains close to Court Barn/House were blocked and they were not on Highways' list so now that they are they should be in the schedule for clearing. Swedish houses; traffic egress to the site was mentioned but that's a planning issue and not dealt with by this department.

A rota for the safety checks for the swings was discussed and also that it would helpful to get a blower to clear leaves and debris from the mats. Lengthy discussion on how best to ensure the grass is mowed around the parish. Not a big job but the scope is increasing.

The October SDC Councillors' report was taken as read because the meeting was running behind a little. Like the North Nibley meeting I mentioned that the IOPC has now completed its independent investigation of Chief Constable Rod Hansen. There is a case to answer and a tribunal will convene in the next couple of months. Also, following the BBC Panorama one of the officers serving at Charing Cross Police station subsequently transferred to Gloucestershire Constabulary so action will probably follow.

The clerk noted that a resident was trying to establish the ownership of two trees on a bank close to the Malthouse, they are looking a bit precarious and may come down in high winds.

Lengthy discussion on a planning application for tree work, but no comment in the end. No comment either for the rest of the applications including the one over at Gloucestershire Science And Technology Park.

I left the meeting at this point, absolutely tired out. There was still a lot of business left to deal with.