Leader's blog - 19 July 2023
Published: Wednesday, 19 July, 2023
"Our July Council meeting takes place on Thursday, with a big agenda, including nature, leisure, equalities and a proposal to create a brand-new Parish Council for Great Oldbury. This new parish will mean changes to the boundaries of the neighbouring parishes of Eastington, Stonehouse and Standish, and aims to better reflect the identity of the area, which has seen significant development, and the interests of the local community.
On the nature theme, we’ll be discussing a motion which originated with the Climate Leadership Gloucestershire group, which brings together all the local councils, NHS, Police, Local Nature Partnership and Local Enterprise Partnership. This county-level climate group, works on different themes, including biodiversity, and as part of our climate and nature commitment we’ll be looking to agree further actions to include support for the ‘Wilder Frome’ project, taking part in the Pesticide Free Towns initiative, and continuing partnership work to reduce litter and other waste. Recognising that many of the key challenges for nature require a national level response, we’ll also be calling on the Government to provide targets and a plan to deliver on its commitment to restore 30% of land for nature by 2030, and writing to the local water companies to ask what measures they are taking to reduce sewage discharges and pollution incidents.
Back in April we launched an online prospectus, ‘Stroud District: The Natural Place’, to highlight opportunities for investment and business across the district. The prospectus showcases key sectors for the local economy, and features some of the great businesses and projects already based here. If you’d like to get involved, please contact the team at www.strouddistrict.co.uk
Finally, please look out for a ‘household canvass’ form in the post or your email inbox, and respond if required. It’s an important annual check of residents who are registered to vote, to update the electoral register."
Leader, Stroud District Council