Leader's blog - 18 November 2024
"Our plans to redevelop Brimscombe Port in partnership with St Modwen Homes, will be discussed on Thursday at the Strategy & Resources Committee meeting. Councillors will review the draft development agreement alongside a proposal to acquire the site’s commercial units. The vision is for a new community with energy efficient homes, restoration of the canal port basin, with employment, visitor and community facilities. I’m very grateful to the project team who have worked so hard to get us to this point and have carefully navigated delays caused by the supply chain and inflationary pressures affecting the construction sector.
It was wonderful to hear recently that the neighbouring Brimscombe Mill community has also secured certainty for the future, and acquired the Mill site, thanks to very generous investment, goodwill from the previous landlord and huge community support. It’s well worth a visit to this fantastic group of social enterprises, which includes The Long Table, The Home Remedy (formerly The Furniture Bank), The Bike Drop and Kids Stuff.
This year’s council budget included a new Market Towns Vitality Fund, to support locally-led projects which help our high streets to thrive. At the Committee this week, we’ll review the successful bids, with many towns opting to purchase new Christmas lights, as well as other initiatives to attract visitors.
For anyone undertaking a pre-Christmas clear out, you can now recycle waste electrical items at Ebley Mill (during office hours until 24th December) as well as at the Pyke Quarry Household Recycling Centre in Horsley. Small electricals can often be fixed through the local network of Repair Cafes. If they’re end-of-life, it’s worth recycling them so that the precious metals they contain can be recovered. The Waste Wizard website is a fantastic source of advice for ways to repair, reuse, recycle or dispose of all types of household items in Gloucestershire."
Cllr Catherine Braun, Leader of Stroud District Council