Column by Doina Cornell.

FINALLY after many months of preparation, next Tuesday the Strategy and Resources Committee will be making a big decision, to select a preferred tenderer for the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port.

The papers for the meeting which are available to read on the council website explain the formal process by which this is done, to ensure it is complies with procurement rules.

For this reason we councillors have yet to see any of the preferred bidders, and after the first part of the meeting, the final decision will have to be discussed in confidence.

I am aware there is going to be a lot of interest in the final decision! If a bidder is selected this will initiate a 10-day ‘standstill period’ which is a legal requirement. The decision can then be shared publically on 26 July.

A developer introduction with the community will be arranged for the week commencing the 8th of August, the first of several community engagement events. More public consultation will also take place prior to a planning submission.

The committee is also being asked to support Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council’s continuing work with regard to the delivery of a community centre within the site, where a site by the reinstated canal basin which has been earmarked for a new community building will be given to the Parish for £1.

Council and housing association tenants are warned to beware of phone calls and emails about repairs from organisations that claim to be working on behalf of their landlord.

The advice is never to give personal information over the phone. Stroud District Council tenants can report repairs via the website stroud.gov.uk/apps/report-a-repair ; by email to property.care@stroud.gov.uk; by text to 07984 442968 (start your text with the word REPAIRS) or by phone 01453 766321.