Stroud District Councillors’ Report


June 2019





Summary of SDC Wotton Ward Councillors’ Council meetings and local business.


SDC Matters


Stroud War Memorial.


The War Memorial in Stroud was maliciously damaged 2 weeks ago. Names of some of the wars that are listed on the memorial were removed by a hammer and chisel. Both SDC (the landowners) and Stroud Town Council (the memorial custodians) have reviewed CCTV and incriminating footage of the vandals has been past to the local police for investigation. (Cllr Tucker)


Recycling Successes!


The 2019 National Recycling Awards were announced at the London Hilton on Hyde Park on 27th June. SDC were entered for 2 awards: ‘Local Authority Success – Overall Service Change’ and ‘Food Waste Initiative’. We were shortlisted for both categories and were delighted to win the Award for the ‘Food Waste Initiative’. Congratulation to officers, members and our waste partner, UBICO, for all their hard work in achieving this nationwide recognition. (Cllr Tucker)


Forest Green Rovers planning application.


A planning application from FRG was discussed before the Development Control Committee on 12 June. Following much discussion, councillors decided to reject the application, against the recommendation of planning officers. An appeal is being lodged by Dale Vince, the Chair of FGR and Ecotricity.



Local Matters


Lloyds Pharmacy, Wotton


It is pleasing to report that the Pharmacy service continues to work at the level expected. However, we are still waiting the appointment of a permanent pharmacist, which we have not had since September 2018. Cllr Tucker continues his regular dialogue with the Chief Exec, Toby Anderson to try and resolve this situation. (Cllr Tucker)


Ashen Plains Camp Site, North Nibley


SDC Planners are currently considering planning applications to regularise existing and the use of new buildings for events. The Parish Council and residents consider this is unreasonable on various grounds and appropriate representations continue to be made to SDC Planning Officers. Where appropriate, Ward Councillors are supporting these objections. (Cllr Tucker)


Ground works at Waterley Bottom, North Nibley


As previously reported, SDC Officers are considering a planning application for already commenced works near The New Inn. A revised planning application has just been received and the Parish Council has been given just 10 days to respond. This straddles the next parish council meeting (1st July) and Cllr Tucker has complained to SDC that the imposed timescale is extremely unreasonable in which to carry out adequate consultations within the community. He has therefore requested that the consultation period be extended to August’s NNPC meeting, with a NNPC response to follow by the 8th August. (Cllr Tucker)


Refuse collection.


Following representations to officers regarding the lack of regular refuse collections in Dryleaze House and Durand Court, the bins are now being collected to the agreed schedule. The situation continues to be closely monitored. (Cllr James)


Community Climate Action.


The first meeting of the Community Climate Action Group for Wotton and surrounding area was held on 26 June – and attended by District Cllrs (Cllr Tucker, Cllr James, Cllr Braun) and Wotton Town Councillor, Cllr Thomas. Many projects were identified and will be taken forward at future meetings. Contact Cllr Braun or ccagwotton@gmail.com for more information or to be added to the newsletter circulation list. (Cllr Braun)


Road Safety.


Following the questions from a local resident at Wotton Town Council meeting, Cllr Braun has been working with Cllr John Cordwell, British School Headteacher Jane Clarkson, and the Glos County Council School Road Safety officer to look at options to improve road safety on the Wortley Road crossing. An up to date site survey was carried out by the GCC team on 11 June but the number of vehicles on the road did not meet the threshold for authorising a School Crossing Patrol. However, the GCC School Travel Officer has been extremely helpful and has proposed a number of different options that can be considered to improve road safety for the school children. (Cllr Braun)


Greenway – Wotton, Charfield, Kingswood.


An initial meeting was held on 24 June with representatives of relevant councils (South Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire County, Stroud District, Wotton, Charfield and Kingswood councils) to discuss the findings of the Sustrans feasibility study. A more detailed design study will be needed – and a further meeting will be held in September / October to discuss options. (Cllr Braun)


Community Governance Review.


A meeting was held on 25 June at the Civic Centre, Wotton, between Clerks/ Councillors from Wotton and Kingswood and Hannah Emery, SDC’s Democratic Services and Elections Manager to discuss options for boundary changes for the current Wotton South Ward. Cllr Tucker was also in attendance and will attend the CGR member’s committee meeting on 1st July, at which he will support the recommendations of WTC. A recommendation from this meeting will go for ratification to Full Council later in the month. (Cllr Tucker)



***********************


SDC Environment Committee – Cllr James (Committee meeting held 6th June 2019)


Progressing Carbon Neutral 2030

The Director of Development Services presented a report and stressed it is not meant to be a step by step response to how the key changes or outcomes are to be achieved, but the report’s purpose is to describe the initial pathways and processes that will be engaged in order to achieve the outcomes.

It was resolved that:



a) Set up a cross-party member-officer group to coordinate the actions set out in this report and to ensure actions undertaken to achieve CN2030 are embedded across the Council.

This will include:







b) Work with the Stroud District Local Strategic Partnership to take a cross sector lead in supporting the delivery of CN2030.

This will include:

c) Recommend recruitment of a new post within the District Council to support both the LSP and SDC in co-ordinating the CN2030 work.

d) Commission work to define the District’s baseline carbon emissions.

e) Work with GFirst/LEP to establish sources of funding to support the implementation of the Gloucestershire Sustainable Energy Strategy.



UBICO Business Plan & 5 Year Vision 2019/2020

The Head of Community Services presented a report on the Business plan for UBICO. He stated that the business plan in the past has not come before Members, it has been agreed that the next business plan draft will be brought to Committee in December so that it can be discussed and suggestions can be taken back to the shareholders board by the Chief Executive. It was advised that this would be an improvement as the business plan is not currently brought to the Committee.


RESOLVED; To note the business plan and AGREE to change the sign off progress for the business plan in subsequent years.


***********************


SDC Housing Committee – Cllr Braun. (Committee meeting held 11 June 2019)


SDC new build programme for affordable homes











Other agenda items:



SDC Strategy & Resourses Committee (Cllr Tucker) Committee meeting 13 June 2019.


A large range of topics were discussed at this meeting, including financial updates, Listed Corporate Assets, replacing Community Services vehicle replacement with hybrid/all-electric vehicles, SDC’s support for the Military Covenant and the revised Procurement Strategy.


Full details on these and other agenda items can be viewed at: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/media/1033857/minutes-13-june-2019.pdf



SDC Planning Review Panel (Cllr Tucker)

At the recent PRP, the Local Plan was again the main topic of review. Cross-party councillors are in full agreement of using land at Waddon (which is in Stroud District) to serve some of our housing needs and not ceded it to Gloucester City for their needs, which is against officer advice. AS a result, we have agreed to asked for initial opinion from counsel on whether we might/would succeed at a hearing in front of a planning inspector. Counsel is due to appear before the PRP in July to present their opinions and be questioned by councillors. Should we be advised not to proceed or ‘lose’ at a hearing, then we have agreed that land at Wisloe (between Slimbridge and Cam West) should be considered/allocated to fulfil most of the shortfall.


We are also challenging the arguments and taking advice as to whether the loss-making Gloucester & Cheltenham Airport should be allocated to the needs of Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury, in whose Borough Council it is located. It is argued that this is greenfield land and therefore cannot easily be used for housing, but Tewkesbury BC have allowed recent development on greenfield land adjacent to the airfield.


Investment & Development Panel (Cllr Tucker) – June meeting postponed pending external consultation on Brimscombe Port redevelopment.



***********************


Meetings attended by Cllr Tucker:


3 June Group Leader’s meeting with CEO.

3 June North Nibley Parish Council.

5 June Cooperative Alliance councillors meeting

12 June Forest Green Rovers planning application at Ebley Mill.

13 June Strategy & Resourses Committee meeting.

14 June Licencing Panel member on contested licencing application.

17 June Wotton Town Council meeting.

20 June Strategy & Resourses committee meeting pre-meet

24 June Group Leaders meeting.

25 June Meeting with WTC regarding boundary changes.

28 June Open Day at Pennwood Lodge, Kingswood



Meetings attended by Cllr Braun:


3 June Greenway Feasibility Study Review meeting with Sustrans

3 June North Nibley Parish Council

4 June Housing Review Panel meeting

4 June Greenway Group meeting

5 June Cooperative Alliance councillors meeting

11 June Housing Committee

17 June Wotton Town Council meeting

24 June Councils meeting – Greenway Feasibility Study

25 June Induction day for Stroud District Action on Plastic Project Coordinator

26 June Community Climate Action Group for Wotton and surrounding villages – first meeting

28 June Meeting residents at Dryleaze House – monthly lunch

28 June Open Day at Pennwood Lodge, Kingswood


Meetings attended by Cllr James.


3 June North Nibley Parish Council.

5 June Cooperative Alliance councillors meeting

6 June SDC Environment Committee

17 June Wotton Town Council meeting.

26 June Climate Action Group meeting in Wotton.

Various Phone meetings with housing officer Carl Mason regarding housing maintenance





6