COMMUNITY Services and Licensing Committee met this week (Thursday, March 23) and we had a busy agenda which touched on many aspects of our residents’ everyday lives.

It’s Debt Awareness Week this week and it is timely that we have an update on the work we are doing as a council to support residents who are struggling with the rising cost of living – we declared a Cost of Living Emergency last year and officers and councillors are working together to provide extra support, with partner organisations.

More information on money, bills, food, childcare, mental health and warm spaces can be found at www.stroud.gov.uk/costofliving

The committee will also consider an update from the Museum in the Park which shows that nearly 35,000 visitors came to the museum in Stratford Park, Stroud in 2022. Every year the museum contributes to a national annual survey, which shows that in 2021/22, there were almost 32,000 visitors and the total economic impact of those visits came to £956,000.

The museum is continuing to run its Wednesday warmers from 2pm-4pm, these feature local history slideshows with a hot drink and are proving popular.

Membership of the Museum is free-of-charge too – for updates and museum insights and news visit www.museuminthepark.org.uk/membership to sign up.

Members of the public are welcome to attend the committee meeting in person from 7pm at Ebley Mill, or watch live or a recording online. Details of how to watch and the agenda papers are online at www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy