AT a time when the country is divided at such a crucial time with so much uncertainty over Brexit, I think it is important to concentrate on common ground that we all share rather than what divides us.

That is easier said than done of course but community cohesion is so important and we as a council have been taking steps to ensure just that.

One of the ways we have been doing that is by holding Brexit Breakfasts and on Friday, March 22 we held the third in a series of these morning events.

By inviting business, voluntary and charity sector representatives, plus partners, our councillors and officers, and our MPs, we are able to signpost all the information that we have from Government.

MP David Drew attended again, and MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown will be at the next one on April 26.

On a more local level, on Thursday, March 28, our environment committee will meet to consider two important proposals which will play their part in creating sustainable and strong communities.

The committee is being asked to approve the Chalford Community Design Statement. Meanwhile, Minchinhampton Neighbourhood Development Plan is on the way to a referendum.

On the topic of community, Ebley Mill came together to support good causes.

The fantastic sum of £3,460 was raised for Sunflowers Suicide Support over the past year and next month SDC staff will reveal their chosen charity for the coming year. Events including a rounders match, dress down days, and bake-offs were staged by the Charities Group.

And more recently staff used their lunch hour during Comic Relief to raise money for that good cause as well, with a basketball ‘hoop off’, which brought in £600 and raised a lot of laughs.