STROUD District Council leader Steve Lydon keeps you up to date with council matters

  • Thursday, October 13 - strategy & resources committee, 7pm Ebley Mill

QUITE a few major issues covered at this meeting. One of the most significant was the update on ownership and management of public buildings, land and structures. The most headline grabbing was the future of the Stroud Subscription Rooms. With increasing financial pressures we, and other councils, have to ensure that we are spending council tax payers’ money efficiently. The Sub Rooms is held in high regard. This meeting agreed that a task and finish group should be set up to look at all possible options, including the council continuing to run it as at present, having it run by a trust or community group, or potential sale to a private enterprise.

Importantly, this is just the start of the process and no decision has been made. It will take well over a year and we will be inviting feedback from key stakeholders and the public.

Also at the meeting the council’s chief executive, David Hagg, provided an update on our annual survey with businesses. Having seen a significant increase with the level of satisfaction among businesses with ‘how the council runs things’ last year, it was great to see this trend continue with satisfaction jumping again from 64 per cent to 70 per cent. Ninety-three per cent of those surveyed also felt that the district is a great place to do businesses, which bodes well for the future.

At the same meeting, almost exactly a year to the day when the canal restoration project won the top award at the prestigious Living Waterway Awards in Westminster, a presentation from the canal project manager on the progress of this major regeneration project received a round of applause – something which is extremely rare at committee meetings!

  • Wednesday, November 9 - Jobs and careers event, Stroud

In three weeks’ time we’re hosting a careers event, with SGS College, aimed at anyone who is looking for advice on jobs, careers and education opportunities. Last year’s event was a great success, attracting more than 600 visitors and we expect this one to be even more popular. It takes place between 4.30 and 7.30pm at Stratford Park Leisure Centre in Stroud. Universities, local colleges, around 50 employers, training providers and JobCentre Plus will be on hand. It’s a great opportunity to talk to experts who can provide a comprehensive guide to future employment and give advice on further study/skills development and volunteering options. Some organisations will also be taking the opportunity to advertise their current vacancies. You can find out more by visiting stroudambitions.co.uk I think you’ll be impressed by the range and number of sectors which will be represented. You can follow them on twitter @stroudambitions but if you’re not online call 01453 754296 for information.