Browser Article - June 2025
Notes from the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 7th May 2025
Election of new Chairman
Council unanimously elected Councillor Lynda Hicks as Chairman for 2025-26. Lynda, who has served on the Parish Council for 10 years, takes over from Councillor Andy Roberts who is now Vice Chairman. We would like to thank Andy for his hard work as Chairman over the past two years.
Committees
Council adopted a new Committee structure made up of Finance Committee, Community and Services Committee, Planning Committee (incorporating Highways quarterly) and Staffing Committee. Committee members and Chairmen were elected at the Annual Meeting.
Meetings Schedule
A six-month schedule was agreed to trial the new Committee structure, with the full Parish Council now meeting every two months, as listed on our Meeting Calendar.
New Administration Officer
We are pleased to welcome Frances Kirk who will be joining our team at the end of May. Frances will be clerking the Planning Committee as well as carrying out a variety of administrative tasks in the Parish Office.
Coach Parking, pick-up and drop off
County Councillor Paul Hodgkinson updated on 7th May that the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for a coach drop-off and pick-up bay in Meadow Way had not been published by Easter as anticipated as it incorrectly showed a 20-minute waiting time rather than 10 minutes. In addition, there were issues on site which prevented the installation of the signage, without which the Order could not be enforced.
Gloucestershire County Council’s Deputy Area Highway Manager attended an Extraordinary Parish Council meeting on 12th May and updated that GCC were awaiting a response from the utility company before the signage could be installed. The scheme will run for six months from the eventual start date, during which time feedback will be invited from local residents, organisations, businesses, the Parish Council and County Councillor on the suitability of the temporary arrangements.
At the Extraordinary meeting on 12th May, three Parish Councillors put forward a motion for the Parish Council to, “withdraw its support for the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for Meadow Way given the publicly stated lack of support for the proposal by residents and coach operators.” Some residents were given the opportunity to share their concerns and opposition to the ETRO. Following debate the motion was not carried.
If you have any feedback on the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order please email Gloucestershire County Council Highways at [email protected] and copy the Clerk on [email protected]
End of Year Accounts and Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2024-25
Documents were approved for submission to the external auditor. The accounts will be available for public inspection between Tuesday 3rd June and Monday 14th July. Please contact the Clerk if you would like to make an appointment, although many documents are available on our website.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Funding
Council has received a total of £11,919.56 from the development on land at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church and this will be used for infrastructure projects.
🌳 Volunteer Tree Friend Needed! 🌳
Do you love trees and want to help protect and nurture them in our community?
We’re looking for a Tree Friend – a local volunteer who can help keep an eye on our parish trees, report any concerns, and support tree-related activities.
Responsibilities include:
- Keeping a friendly watch over local trees
- Reporting any damage, disease or issues to the Parish Council
- Supporting occasional tree planting or care events
- No experience needed – just a love of nature and a little time to spare.
📩 Interested? Please contact the Parish Clerk at [email protected]
Let’s grow a greener community together!
Re-Opening of Rye Crescent Play Area
We are excited to announce that the refurbishment work is now complete and the play equipment available for use. You are invited to attend an opening event at 10am on Saturday 7th June at which we hope you will be able to meet some of our sponsors.
Room for commercial rent at the George Moore Community Centre
We will have a vacant room from the end of June which would be suitable as a small office or clinic space. Please contact the Clerk if you would like further information.
Springvale Allotments vacant plot
A reminder that there is one plot available at present – anyone interested should contact the Assistant Clerk.
Electronic Newsletter
Don’t forget that you can subscribe to the Parish Council’s newsletter via our Contact Form.