STROUD District Council leader Geoff Wheeler keeps you up to date with what is happening at the council

Friday, November 7 – Peer review feedback I mentioned last week how a team, led by the Local Government Association, visited the council to make an assessment of our work on jobs and growth. They’re due to provide a detailed report in the next week or so, but they delivered an oral report and presentation on their findings before they left. Having spoken to key council staff, councillors, representatives of the business community and other stakeholders, this initial feedback was quite encouraging. It highlighted that the council had an ambitious plan to aid jobs and growth in the district, but more importantly it identified that we could make improvements to our operational delivery and our work with partners to improve its effectiveness. This all bodes well for our future work to boost the local economy. We’ll publish the report on our website once it is available.

Tuesday, November 11 – Encouraging ideas Hot on the heels of the peer review, a smaller internal event was held in a Dragon’s Den style format, albeit in a somewhat less intimidating manner. A panel, made up of a councillor, senior manager and a couple of members of staff, were presented with a range of ideas from staff from across the council. The aim was to encourage suggestions and ideas on how the council could make improvements – both internally and in terms of our service delivery. It will be interesting to see the ideas and how many of them are taken forward.

Friday, November 14 – Councillor Paul Carter Friends, family, colleagues and councillors attended the funeral of Nailsworth councillor Paul Carter at The Priory Church of the Annunciation, in Woodchester. Not surprisingly, the church was overflowing for an emotional occasion for a well-loved and respected gentleman. Paul was a tremendous servant to his community who has left behind some big shoes to fill.

Saturday, November 15 – Museum in the Park The weekend saw Secret Artist 2014 take place at the museum, organised by the Friends of the Museum in the Park in collaboration with SGS College Stroud School of Art. More than 208 pieces of art were donated for the event.