Notes from “Town & Parish Council Forum” Stroud DC. 6 December 2011.

Agenda Item 1. Core Strategy & Local Plan.

• District Council recently decided on areas to be consulted upon. Consultation starts in early 2012.

• Strategy to be submitted to Government by end of 2012.

• Adoption of new Plan early 2013

• Importance of Neighbourhood Planning which starts at parish level.

Agenda Item 2. Self Financing for Housing Revenue Account.

• Currently of £21m taken in rent, £7m goes to central government.

• Plan to borrow from Public Works Loan Board at fixed interest rate. (Estimated at £3.2m pa).

• Possible priority is to invest in new Social Housing.

• But “Right to Buy” will potentially impact upon this as there will be double discounts.

• Upon questioning there was mention of consultation with parish & town councils before any new build.

Agenda Item 3. Diamond Jubilee/ Olympic Torch.

• Relay 25 May. SDC will be giving support across the district.

• Attempts by SDC to influence changes to the route have not been accepted.

Agenda Item 4. Enhancing Recycling Services.

• From next year all cad and plastics will be collected.

• Additional wheelie bins for all properties with paper/cardboard in green boxes and other material in wheelie bin.

• Paper has to be kept clean so that it income.

• Promise of further consultation with p7t councils before it starts.

Agenda Item 5. Car Parking Review.

• Cabinet being asked not to introduce charges in Dursley, WuE &, Nailsworth.

• Report available under Cabinet Papers.

Agenda Item 6. Local Govt. Resource Review .

• Changes to Local Govt. Resource expected to be implemented in 2013/14.

• Business rates will change same year. There was a lot of uncertainty about this whole issue. (At least in my mind).

• Talk about making savings and limited ability to do so because of “protected groups”.

• We were reminded that Parish & Town Councils have £2.5m of Council Tax.

Agenda Item 6. Localism Act.

• Pre Determination is being changed and will no longer be a Prejudicial Issue for Parish Councillors.

• Standards Board abolished from 31 March 2012.

• SDC have no current cases and no new cases will be taken from 31 January 2012.

• Still a requirement for local authorities to have a Code of Conduct.

• Register of Interests continues and will be on line in future

• District Council will have to appoint an Independent Person to carry out investigations.

At the request from Kingswood Parish Council there was a discussion about the need for the District Council to Consult more widely on matters. Seemed to be accepted by David Hagg (CEO) but we shall see what is the outcome.

Rex Symons

12 December 2011