Leader's blog - 15 July 2024

“On Thursday, all district councillors will meet for a council meeting at Ebley Mill with a full agenda for discussion and decision.  First up, councillors will be asked to approve the all-important investment that’s needed to keep the Lido open and to maintain the Stratford Park Leisure Centre in Stroud. The committees have already agreed to this essential repair work, but it needs the support of council to add it to our capital programme.  These leisure facilities are critical for the council’s work on health and wellbeing, and I know are very much valued by the local community.

Litter is an issue that is often raised with councillors and following a recent public question from local campaigner and litter picker, Eric Torrington, to the Environment Committee, the council has agreed to set up a new Member Champion role for litter and a clean environment.  The new councillor champion will be appointed on Thursday and will work alongside the council’s officers on litter issues, as well as engaging with local and national campaigns to promote litter reduction, meeting with businesses, and supporting anti-littering events across the district. We all appreciate living in a clean environment, and I’m delighted that through this new role we will be increasing the council’s focus on the problem of litter.  A big thank you to Eric for his suggestion. If you’d also like to make a proposal to the council or be involved in decisions, there’s information on the website about ways you can have your say

Finally, in line with all the other councils in Gloucestershire, we will discuss the bid by Pride in Gloucestershire to host a EuroPride event in 2027.  There are three other locations on the shortlist, with the winner to be announced in November.  Best of luck to the organisers!”