Council Chief Executive visits Whiteshill and Randwick

David Hagg, Chief Executive of Stroud District Council makes a point of meeting all new councillors. Some meet him at Ebley Mill, while others like myself, readily accepted his offer to visit the ward. We met in Whiteshill shop for a strong black coffee before we walked around the Parish then did the same in Randwick. Nearly two hours of talk: hopefully making him aware of some of the key issues in this area and some of the wider issues that directly effect us here.

While I've lived here and been involved with many community groups plus visited many homes when canvassing or leafleting, I did also meet with councillors this week, from both Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish and Randwick Parish, to ensure I didn't miss something crucial. It was great to meet those councillors in my new role - and I am looking forward to working more with the Parishes - they have been involved with getting many local projects going like the planned Randwick Village Hall redevelopment, Whiteshill Community Orchard, improved play areas and much more.

One clear frustration that has come up time and time again in this area is the seeming inability of the County Council to help us sort out traffic calming. The issue is clearly not easy - there is little agreement on the best way forward, there are huge costs involved and limited budgets and the very nature of our lanes and roads make some solutions difficult. Nevertheless despite all these factors it is vital we continue to make attempts to improve the situation as it has such an impact on the lives of residents here.

Other issues that got mentioned include safer walking or cycling routes to Stratford Park, improved play facilities, the Randwick's ward boundaries that lack logic, village hall redevelopment, Far Westrip Farm lane redesignation that could mean lots of 4x4 traffic there, the Stroud interchange, Cashes Green Hospital site and much more.