STROUD District Council leader Geoff Wheeler keeps you up to date with council matters

Monday, March 30 – Election time

TODAY sees the Publication of Notice of Election for the general, district and parish council elections, which take place on Thursday, May 7. Eighteen of the district council’s 51 seats and 35 parishes and towns are up for election this year. During the run up to the elections, councils and councillors have to observe strict publicity guidelines, so I will have to put this diary on hold until after the election. With this in mind I’ve taken this opportunity to highlight a few key dates in the weeks ahead.

Tuesday, April 14 – Supermarket planning applications, 6pm, Ebley Mill

Last September three planning decisions for out of town supermarkets were deferred so that the applicants could revise their proposals to consider their impact on a possible town centre development, which may include a food store. As I write, that application has not come in, however the committee will still need to decide on the other three. It’s a little complicated now as the applications at Ryeford and for Asda at Daniels Industrial Estate have both been referred to the planning inspectorate by the applicants. The committee will need to decide how to approach these appeals and also make a decision on the remaining applications for Avocet Business Park in Dudbridge and a duplicate application by Asda for the aforementioned Daniels Industrial Estate. Needless to say this meeting will be of great interest to many people. It can be viewed live online at stroud.gov.uk/webcast Thursday, May 7 – Election day The big day itself when we choose our MPs, our government and our councillors. Polling stations will be open for 7am to 10pm. It is essential that you are on the Electoral Roll to be eligible to vote. The deadline to register to vote is Monday April, 20. Additionally, if you’re already registered and would prefer to cast your vote by the increasingly popular method of postal voting, the deadline to ask to vote by post is the next day on the Tuesday.

Thursday, June 25 – Javelin Park legal challenge

This date has been set for our legal challenge against the building of a proposed waste incinerator to burn the county’s waste at Javelin Park.