SDC Leader's blog - w/c 18 August 2025

"This prolonged sunshine has been lovely for those who enjoy the heat, but for the elderly and very young, outdoor workers and those with health conditions, it can be dangerous. For simple, free or low-cost steps that can help keep you and your home cooler, based on the principles of ‘stop the sun’, ‘let cool air flow’ and ‘slow down’, see www.heatwavetoolkit.com.

Do please continue to check on vulnerable neighbours and family members (just as you would in the snow). If you have concerns, there is helpful heatwave first aid advice on the Red Cross website.

With water demand at a peak and little rain forecast, Thames Water has a hosepipe ban in place for all its customers in GL postcodes, while Severn Trent is using its Drought Action Plan and has urged customers to be mindful of their usage.

As a council, this prolonged warm and dry spell is a reminder that we need to focus on heat stress and drought, alongside flooding, when we think about how our local communities can adapt to climate change – in how we build our homes, upgrade our existing buildings, plan our places, work with nature and protect the most vulnerable. We are currently consulting on our new Climate & Nature Strategy, which has adaptation as a key theme. We'd love your thoughts - all of the relevant links are here.

It’s been brilliant to see the recent A-level result celebrations at our local schools and colleges, and I look forward to the same for GCSEs this Thursday – congratulations to all for your hard work and achievement. And if things haven’t gone quite as planned, the County Council’s Forwards Education team will be at Redwood House, Beeches Green (11am-3pm, drop in) on 21 and 22 August, to provide information and support. "

Cllr Chloe Turner, Leader of Stroud District Council