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

Wednesday, November 23 - autumn budget statement

There seemed little to cheer in the Chancellor’s budget statement. As Stroud is the only council in Gloucestershire to own and manage its own homes I welcomed the proposed lifting of the cap for the council to borrow more money for council house building. However, this initiative will only start in 2019/20 and only in ‘high demand areas’.

Despite the fact that we have a desperate need in the district for more affordable housing it remains to be seen whether we will be eligible.

As for the rest of the budget the gloomy economic forecast will almost certainly translate into less revenue for the council.

Thursday, November 23 – Chalford by-election

Following the sad passing of Chalford’s long standing councillor Liz Peters, a by-election was held today and won by Darren Loftus who will be welcomed by fellow councillors at his first full council meeting in January.

Tuesday, November 28 – audit and standards committee

A full agenda at tonight’s meeting, which will receive the council’s annual audit letter and the half year treasury management activity report.

Thursday, November 30 – lottery bid for the canal project submitted

On Thursday, we will be submitting our canal funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

If successful, it would see restoration of 6.6km of canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction.

It would make Stonehouse and Stroud canal towns once again and realise the full potential of the restoration work already done.

Stroud District Council has committed £3m to the project, the outcome of the bid should be known in April/May.