August 2017

Key issues


Summary of District Council Committee meetings.



Refuse Collection.

The multi-service refuse contract service continues to run well. Land fill tonnage is well below expectations and therefore GCC financial credits to SDC are higher than anticipated. Food waste continues at a very high level and the amount of recyclates collected is also above that expected, although income is below that predicted, owing to relatively low oil prices. A new contract for disposal of recyclates is being discussed with various waste operators. The service cost data presented by Ubico, our refuse collection providers, are being further scrutinized by SDC, to ensure we are receiving ‘value for money’. Cllr Tucker sits on the Group that is overseeing this scrutiny.


Recycling Banks.

The SDC ‘recycling banks’ at Cam and Cainscross closed on 31st August. This action will save £60000/annum and the numerous bins no longer needed have been sold to a waste company. Support for 3rd Party collection of Textiles, Clothes, CDs, Books and Shoes etc across the District will continue.


(No Committee meeting in August)


Asset Management.

Discussions continue on progressing the future of the following SDC assets: Brimscombe Port, Stroud Subscription Rooms, Stratford Park and Littlecombe Business Park at Dursley. Foundations for the new Business Park units, which are being built on allocated land next to the Vale Hospital, have recently been completed. Completion of the £1.8 project is expected late Spring 2018. Units will be available for rent or possible purchase.


Asset Funding.

A funding application by the Canal Trust to complete the Stroudwater Canal from Stonehouse to Saul (Phase 1B) is on target for presentation to the Heritage Lottery (HL) Fund in November. SDC have promised £3m towards the £18m total cost, providing the HL application is successful. The benefit to the Stroud area of the existing canal restoration/tourism is estimated to have been £100m+ over the last 10 years. The more rural nature of the Phase 1B route, will mean that the returns on this section will be somewhat less. Opening this section will enable access from the River Severn (and the canals and waterways beyond) right up to Stroud. Interesting information on Phase B can be found at http://cotswoldcanals.com/


Subscription Rooms.

The options for the future of this Asset of Community Value building continue to be assessed. Discussions with interested parties continue and business plan proposals are being scrutinised. As part of this process, the Sub Rooms have been placed on the open market for £600,000 and there has been some limited interest. A petition, signed by over 1700 residents, has been organised by the ‘Save our Subs’ Action Group, and was formally presented to the Council in July. It is anticipated that there will be an interim report from the Task & Finish Group in September and that a final decision will be taken by the end of the year. The cost to the Council of running the Subscription Rooms is over £400k/year.



The Tourism Task & Finish Group has met this month. We have a wide remit to look at how we can further encourage tourists to visit our area. We will be working with Town and Parish Councils, Tourist Offices, travel providers etc, etc and involving others have valuable input and ideas into this important topic. A summary report will be made available on completion on Group meetings.


The Arts & Culture Task & Finish Group also met this month. In the Stroud District are very fortunate to have many talented people and artists across a huge range of Art & Culture. The Group is therefore looking at what resident’s needs are and what opportunities SDC might be able to support to encourage residents to further benefit from such activities and events and inspire those that do not currently participate, through advertising and social media etc.



Housing Review Panel Meeting (8 August)

Private sector housing – The Local Housing Condition Survey shows that over 20% of the 50,000 dwellings in the District have a ‘Category 1 hazard’ - most common are excess cold, falling on stairs, falling on level surfaces. The majority of properties (74%) are owner occupied, 12 % private rented, 11% council homes.  


SDC has a team dedicated to private sector housing with resources and support available for owner occupiers and for the rented sector - including a directory of local builders

https://www.stroud.gov.uk/housing/private-sector-housing


The significant financial and health costs associated with poor homes are increasingly being recognised by the NHS. The County Better Care Fund has some funds earmarked for health and homes loans. 


Home adaptations - the District Council manages major home adaptations, and the County Council manages minor ones.  But Occupational Therapists need to first assess.  SDC has created lots of resources and new website with further information. 

 

Local issues


The garage/car park site next to the former The Full Moon pub has been put up for sale by SDC. It is expected that it will become additional housing.


Newly appointed Wotton under Edge Town Councillors, Jon Turner and Richard Hale have attended their first Council meetings. Their District Councillors wish them well in serving their communities.


Following refusal by SDC Planners for housing development at Holywell Farm, Wotton (which was backed by the Town Council), the applicant has submitted an Appeal against the decision, which will be held at the Planning Inspectorate office in Bristol, in December.


Following a multi-agency meeting at SDC arranged by Cllr Tucker to review the continuing anti-social behaviour at Durant Court, Dryleaze, measures have been put in place to hopefully reduce the antagonism between neighbours that has existed for some time. Some residents have relocated and CCTV is being installed to monitor the situation.


Cllr Tucker continues to support North Nibley Parish Council in their opposition against the plan to build an a large equine stable at Swinhay, North Nibley. The applicant has appealed against SDC’s decision to refuse planning permission and an Appeal hearing will now take place.


Councillor Meetings


Cllr Ken Tucker



Cllr Catherine Braun



Cllr George Butcher










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