Leader's blog - w/c 6 April 2026

"High turnout at elections is a sign of a healthy democracy, and although voter participation has been declining in many parts of the UK, Stroud District continues to see some of the highest turnouts in the country, alongside strong community engagement at council meetings.

To help even more people take part, we’re running voter‑registration roadshows this April in Dursley and Stroud. Anyone aged 16 or over can register to vote, and the process takes just five minutes at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. A bill currently progressing through Parliament proposes reducing the voting age from 18 to 16, and I hope it will prompt a wider debate on electoral reform, moving us towards a fairer system where every vote truly counts.

Reducing our environmental impact remains a high priority for the council, and I’m delighted that our recycling service has now been expanded to include toothpaste tubes and plastic plant pots, which can be recycled using the green bins or bags. We’re also working on plans to introduce kerbside collections of plastic film and wrapping next year.

If you’re looking for a new job this spring, there are lots of interesting opportunities on the council website which include posts in the Housing and Human Resources teams. For anyone taking time off over the school holidays, our website also has plenty of ideas for free and low‑cost local activities to enjoy.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has shown support for Stratford Park Lido. You can sign up online to support the fundraising effort, and if you wish to submit a public question to the Strategy & Resources Committee on April 16, the deadline is noon on 9 April."

Cllr Catherine Braun, Deputy Leader of Stroud District Council