Leader's blog - w/c 6 October 2025

"Woodchester Mansion received good news last week about a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to match a contribution from Stroud District Council. This new funding will allow the Mansion’s trustees to increase their events programme and with the council and the National Trust, to work to secure the longer-term future of this picturesque and fascinating building within Woodchester Park.

Updates on this and other projects were reported at the recent Strategy & Resources Committee meeting, including on the council-led regeneration at Brimscombe Port. This project is entering a new phase, with initial developer engagement to inform the future procurement process for a new developer partner.  The latest committee updates have also been shared directly with the 350+ people who’ve registered their interest in this project.  You can sign up to the Brimscombe Port mailing list here.

Next week is Hate Crime Awareness Week, and as usual our fantastic Community Officers will be working with Gloucestershire Police and others to share information on how to safely report hate crime so that action can be taken. 

I’d like to echo the words of our Chair of Council, Cllr Kate Kay, who last week shared her condolences with the victims and families of the recent horrific attack on Jewish worshippers at the synagogue in Manchester. 

In these times, our commitment as a public authority to promote community safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, has never been more important. I’m very grateful to all the council colleagues and partners who support this work to challenge hostility and prejudice. We have a duty to everyone in our area - whatever their faith, race, disabilities or identity, and whether they are citizens of our country, or asylum seekers and refugees from other countries – that all should be treated fairly, with kindness and respect.

Finally, I am very sad to hear that Dame Jilly Cooper has died. She was a much-loved and admired figure who treasured Stroud’s people and communities. Our thoughts are with her family.”

Cllr Catherine Braun, Deputy Leader