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.

Annual Meeting - 21st May

The annual meeting appoints councillors to leadership, committee and other roles for the civic year ahead, and was set against the backdrop of Local Government Reorganisation, given the likely elections to a shadow unitary council in May next year.

• Leadership roles: There has been no change, with Green Party Councillors continuing to lead the council and policy committees: Cllr Chloe Turner continues as Council Leader, Cllr Catherine Braun as Deputy Leader.
  
• Committee Appointments: There has been no change in the appointment of Chairs and Vice-Chairs, though there are few changes in relation to membership of the six committees; Strategy & Resources, Audit & Standards; Community Services & Licensing; Development Control; Environment; and Housing.
• Other Appointments 22 external organisations requiring Council representation, ranging from Berkeley Nuclear Stakeholders to Woodchester Mansion Trust. Two cross-party groups; Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity & Belonging and Member Development. Four champion roles: Armed Forces, Health and Wellbeing, Migrant, and Litter and Clean Environment.
• Minor updates to the Council's Constitution were approved. It was also agreed to disband the regular Constitution Working Group, given the impending Local Government Reorganisation and the limited remaining lifespan of the Council in its current form.
• Appointment of Independent Persons and Parish/Town Council representatives for the Standards Sub-Committee, which is required as part of the Council's statutory duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by its elected and co-opted members. Melvin Kenyon has been appointed as Independent Person for a further two years and the Council will advertise the extra two Independent Person vacancies. Steve Tilley has been appointed for a further period of two years as a Parish and Town Council Representative and the additional two vacancies will be advertised through Parish and Town Clerks and Gloucestershire Association of Local Councils (GALC).
• Video recording (67 views)

New Council Homes

• Eight new affordable rent homes in Wotton-under-Edge have been officially handed over to Stroud District Council, supporting efforts to meet the district’s pressing need for high-quality, energy-efficient housing.
• Thirteen new social rented homes completed in Dursley.
• and another thirteen new affordable homes in Cam.

Other news 

• Work starts on a new Local Plan for Stroud District. It is a mandatory Government requirement and marks the beginning of a new plan‑making process, reflecting significant changes in national planning policy.
• Celebrating 50 Years of Wildlife Science in the Stroud district. Art, nature and connection at Tinkley Gate; Inspiring the next generation at Stroud Show & Outdoor photography exhibition at Museum in the Park.
• Stroud District Council funds 50 more bike stands to support walking and cycling across the district
• New Tree Management Policy adopted to protect and grow Stroud district’s treescape.
• A special Armed Forces Day celebration is being planned at Stratford Park in Stroud this summer, organised by local veterans with the support of Stroud District Council.
• Stratford Park Lido, Stroud - updates are being shared fortnightly on the work underway in consultation with community representatives to explore sustainable long term options for the Lido, including potential asset transfer, alternative ownership models and future repair and maintenance. An additional Committee meeting has been called for 3 June to review the revised cost of reopening the Lido this year and next and to seek approval for additional revenue funding to deliver the required works. https://www.stroud.gov.uk/culture-leisure-sports-parks/lido/

Prepared by Cllr Gareth Kitchen (Green) based on councillor activity in May with updates from Cllr Linda Cohen (Lib Dem) & Cllr Catherine Braun (Green).