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

  • Thursday, February 16

I ATTENDED a Leadership Gloucestershire meeting along with all the district council leaders, the county council, Local Enterprise Partnership, the PCC and the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group. Two priorities that I advocated were accepted – that all organisations get behind skills and affordable housing. I also wish to record my thanks to Chief Constable Suzette Davenport who has announced her retirement.

Also – the council’s environment committee.

Amongst the topics it discussed was a report received on the future of town centres in the district. Town centres are the heart of our communities and it’s important we do our best to support, and when possible, enhance them.

  • Tuesday, February 20

Housing Committee – a busy agenda which includes an item on how effectively the council engages and consults with its tenants. This will be the first meeting where there will be two tenant representatives. Sadie Tazewell will join Ian Allan and it will be great to have them along to fully contribute to discussions and review our policies.

  • Thursday, February 23

Full council meeting – where we will set the council tax for the next financial year. It’s worth noting that in terms of where the money goes, the majority goes to the county council, then the PCC, the district council is next and then lastly the parish and town councils. The proposal is a £5 annual increase in council tax. At Band D this means council tax goes up by 10p a week. The Government expects all councils to raise their council tax by up to two per cent (1.99% is the highest we can go) or £5 whichever is the higher. Our four year plan is shown with a £5 increase being applied for each year. However, we will make a council decision each year on whether to apply the next £5 increase.

As always don’t forget that agendas and reports for all SDC meetings are available on the council’s website (stroud.gov.uk) as are the webcasts of the meetings where you can either watch them ‘live’ or at a later date.