Stroud District Councillors’ Report February 2017

District Council topics.


Subscription Rooms


Councillors set up a `task & finish group’ to consider the long-term future and options for the Subscription Rooms. The ‘Sub Rooms’ in Stroud is the only council-owned and run arts and entertainment facility in the district and has seen funding costs rising annually to £415,000 in 2016. As part of this review, a consultation exercise was held to gather the initial views of users, stakeholders and interested parties.


The group has now completed their first report, which recommends three possible options to take forward. These include keeping the building under council control; allowing another organisation to run the Sub Rooms as a public arts and cultural facility or selling the building on the open market. Further discussions with potentially interested parties is ongoing.


Budget setting


On 9th February, Full Council agreed the Cooperative Alliance Group’s recommendation for a 2.62% (£5) increase in the rates we pay to Stroud District Council. This is the capped maximum based on a Band D rated property without calling for a referendum (which in itself would account for 0.5% of any increase). Full Council again met on the 23 February and agreed the precept for 2017-18.


New For info for the Town and Parish Councillors the new items in the Capital Programme for 2017-21 are highlighted in the following link, along with costs and outline benefits identified: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/media/240937/item-7-c-appendix-a.pdf  More details appear below:



1. Canal Regeneration (Saul to Stonehouse)- Sustains momentum from successful Council led Phase 1A. Phase 1A generated £100m + private investment in canal corridor. Saul to Stonehouse unlikely to achieve similar but link to national network will generate activity (boat/towpath/visitor). Benefits to ecology, environment and health and well-being Cycling network extended

2. Market Town Centres Initiative Fund -  Capital works only. 50% contribution from Council to be matched by contribution from other bodies, such as parish/town councils, private business or voluntary and community organisations.

3. Homes for Rent - Homes at Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rent levels. District wide programme to be developed during 2017/18.

4. Stroud District Cycling & Walking Plan - Provision of cycleways and walking routes identified in the Stroud District Local Plan. Benefits - health & well-being benefits, sustainable transport and tourism

5. Stratford Park Lido - Renewable heat sources would increase patronage and offset running costs.

6. Community Buildings Investment - Capital grants for key Assets transfers. Funding packages agreed with Stroud Town Council and possibly Kingshill House, Dursley.

7. Information & Communications Technology (ICT) - Investment plan to change systems, process customer service and working practices resulting in savings, enhanced productivity and efficiencies

8. Multi-Service (Refuse) Contract - Rolling programme to replace existing second-hand vehicles.


Devolution


An attempt to procure a devolution deal for Gloucestershire has gone cold, due to the various seemingly unsurmountable barriers put in place by the Department for Communities and Local Government. However, all hope is not yet lost!

https://weareglos.com/devolution-bid-for-gloucestershire/our-bid/



NHS services


Cllr Tucker has received a reply from Gloucestershire NHS in response to his question as to why Dursley Vale Hospital Minor Injuries has been closed during the day on recent occasions and what is being done to prevent this happening. As expected, staff shortages are sited and the answer to why someone from Stroud could not be sent over to provide cover elicited the reply, ‘we would then have to shut Stroud’.


Planning Development Control


SDC have requested a judicial review of the Planning Inspectorate’s conclusions on a number of recent planning applications in the District. The review will be based on the inspector’s decision at Berkeley to uphold the case against the Stroud Local Plan. Either way, the outcome will have a very significant effect on ‘predatory’ and ‘speculative’ planning applications across the District. There is no date yet for the hearing, which is likely to be held in Bristol.


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SDC Environment Committee – Cllr Ken Tucker. (Meeting held on 16th February)


Refuse Collections


It is pleasing to report that the situation regarding problems on collection rounds is now very near the level set in the service contract between SDC and Ubico, the refuse company, which is partly owned by SDC. Meetings are now being held between the two parties to get costs down to agreed levels. Ubico have recently received the necessary licensing documentation from the Environment Agency to allow them to operate the recycling depot, which will start immediately. This is good news, as the costly extended contracts with existing 3rd party depots in Stonehouse and Moreton Valence can now be terminated.

The recycling team contact details are recycling@stroud.gov.uk or 01453 754424. More in depth details can be found on the Council’s website at www.stroud.goc.uk/recycling.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)


CIL will largely (but not exclusively) replace the existing Section 106 (S106) monies, which are collected from developers to pay for certain infrastructures, such as schools, roads, community assets etc, etc. The recommendation by the Environment Committee for acceptance was agreed at Full Council on 9th February. Most new planning applications received after 1 April 2017 will be subject to CIL. Parishes which have an agreed Neighbourhood Plan in place will retain 25% of the levy or 15% if no Plan exists, to put towards capital projects within the community.


Kingswood Neighbourhood Plan (just outside our Ward, but 1st in our immediate area)


The Kingswood NP was approved at the 9th February meeting. The referendum for community acceptance will now take place alongside the County Council elections on 4th May. A 50% +1 of the turnout in favour of the Plan is needed for adoption


Other meetings:


Full Council (9th & 23 February)


Planning Review Panel - (no meeting in February)


Infrastructure & Development Panel (Asset management) - (meeting held on 28th February).


Construction of 18,000 sq ft in units, estimated cost of £1.75m, anticipated 8% pa yield on 1 acre of remaining 3 acres of Business Park, completion approx. November 2017.







Strategy & Resources Panel: (Strategy, overview and governance) – (No meeting in February)


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SDC Housing Committee - Cllr Catherine Braun. (Meeting held on 21st February)


Rural affordable housing - We agreed to apply to Central Government for ‘rural designation’ for North Nibley, Stinchcombe and other qualifying parishes around the District. Parts of these parishes are already covered by Cotswold AONB designation. ‘Rural Designation’ will extend the same rights to the whole of Parish and beyond. In summary, this means that the areas can seek a financial contribution for affordable housing from market housing sites of a smaller size (6 + units) than areas that are not designated as ‘rural’ or ‘AONB’ (which are 10+ units), and it allows SDC to impose a restrictive local connection covenant in a ‘Right to Buy’ sale, which should keep the property value at a more affordable level and would prevent its purchase as a holiday home (for more details see item 8).


Older persons’ housing – Following review by the Community Services and Licensing Committee, we also supported the Older Persons Health and Housing Plan which brings together existing work in these areas and sets ten health priorities: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/media/241151/item-9-appendix-a.pdf The Council’s Health, and Wellbeing Development Coordinator, Emma Keating Clark will be supporting Dementia Friendly Town initiatives across the District including in Wotton.


A new app called “Rally Round” is currently being piloted by the Sheltered Housing Team. Previous pilots have shown that it can really help to provide support and reassurance to carers – allowing them to have support from a local network to know that their relative is safe and well. https://rallyroundme.com/


All Sheltered Co-coordinators have been trained in leading the Active for Life fun fitness sessions for older people which will come to Dryleaze at some point.


Tenant issues – there are plans for a new informal tenant consultation event in Wotton over the next year. This will be a local drop in session which will be attended by Housing Team staff and managers. The Tenancy and Estates Management Policy has been updated in line with legislation and to cover a broader range of issues.


On TV - Stroud District Council Housing Team feature in the new series of Housing Enforcers. You can see it on iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05v3x8q


Bearlands – at a separate meeting with officers and a representative from the Bearlands Play Area Association, Cllr Braun discussed progress with appointing a consultant for estate improvements and possible costs of road safety measures; we confirmed that a clear up would happen around the play area (this has now been done) and that at newsletter would be prepared for local Bearlands residents to feedback on the work in progress. Next progress meeting due in April.


Other Councillor meetings:


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Community Services & Licensing - Cllr George Butcher. (Meeting held on 2nd February)

Older Person’s Housing Plan.


The committee voted to adopt the Older Person’s Housing Plan. This plan has been developed in consultation with the Older Person’s Health and Housing Group (including Health and Housing SDC officers and cross party elected members from the Community Services & Licensing and Housing committees), Gloucestershire Older Person’s Association, GP Patient Participation Groups, NHS Active Balance Patients, GP Locality Executive Group and Gloucestershire Care Services, Stroud Locality.


The associated costs are already encompassed within existing Officer roles. Funding for Citizens Advice Bureau AB has been previously agreed for the next 3 years. Future costs that may occur around the ‘access to Rally Round app’ would have to obtain further approval from the CS&L Committee.


Update on county health and overview scrutiny committee. An update from Councillor Doina Cornell presented to the committee as she is the current liaison between the council and NHS Gloucestershire. There were three months of updates.

https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council/meetings/community-services-and-licensing-committee/community-services-and-licensing-committee-02-february-2017


Refuse issues:


Resolved further, but rapidly reducing ‘bin issues’. Advised resident on how to obtain a free-of-charge replacement food waste bin for one damaged by a refuse operator. Contacted recycling and waste collection team regarding contractor Ubico about bin treatment and leaving emptied bins in dangerous locations. Complaints have been received from across the District and are now being addressed. Please let me know if you have any such problems.


Other Councillor meetings:



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