"Strengthening and supporting our communities so people feel included and connected is one of the main priorities in the Council Plan and Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (EDIE) is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to continuous improvement and as Chair of the EDIE Working Group, I was delighted to present to Council the EDIE Action Plan progress report for 22/23 and the Action Plan for 23/24. Our priorities for 2023/24 include procurement & contract management, training & development, equality impact assessments and workforce. I’m pleased the work with council staff has been recognised and SDC have been shortlisted for two Local Government Chronicle Workforce awards: best Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and best Wellbeing Innovation Employer. We will receive the results on the 8th November.
A key objective for the council is a long-term investment plan for leisure services and facilities across the district and what a great decision to take Stratford Park Leisure Centre (SPLC) under council control. This has been approved by councillors and will take effect from November 2024. I’m looking forward to seeing a similar way of running SPLC as we have successfully had in place for many years at the Pulse in Dursley.
School summer holidays are here again, and I had a wonderful time last Friday at the Summer Activities Launch Event at Lawnside Park in Nailsworth. It was a fun family afternoon supported by community groups and others, with games, face painting, bubbles and a BBQ; there will be over 30 activities taking place in Nailsworth during the holidays. SDC has complied a list of things to do in the Stroud district over the summer that are low-cost or free-of-charge.
Cost of living pressures continue to impact on household budgets and information on a range of issues can be found on our dedicated webpage (or telephone 01453 766321)."
This week's blog has been written by Cllr Natalie Bennett, Deputy Leader, Stroud District Council