Leader's blog - 3 May 2023
Published: Wednesday, 3 May, 2023
"Voter ID will be required for the first time, in local elections which are taking place on Thursday for some districts of Gloucestershire and for South Gloucestershire. All councils have been working hard to raise awareness of this new requirement, in response to concerns that people without the relevant photographic identification could be turned away at polling stations. We don’t have local elections for Stroud District Council this year, but we do have a by-election on 17th May for the Painswick and Upton Ward. You can find information about all the eligible forms of Voter ID on the council’s website.
Last week I was delighted to attend the launch of a new prospectus ‘Stroud District – The Natural Place’ to stimulate investment and engagement with business and community enterprises. The prospectus sets out our vision for a sustainable, thriving and resilient future in Stroud district, with investment to support jobs and local communities. It’s aimed at enterprises looking to establish themselves in Stroud district, as well as existing businesses wishing to expand or diversify. Find out more here.
Also last week, at the April council meeting, councillors voted to support two motions: one for the rights of refugees and asylum seekers, highlighting the urgent need for safe and legal routes for them to reach the UK, and the second, focused on tackling domestic abuse, and the district council’s role, working others including the police, the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) and the Stroud Women’s Refuge.
Looking ahead to the weekend, I’ll be joining local events to celebrate the Coronation and baking a cake for Town Hall Teas in Wotton. It’s great to see so many community get-togethers being organised across the district, as well as volunteers supporting The Big Help Out on Monday 8th May, with activities from community gardening to litter picking."
Leader, Stroud District Council