Update on bits and pieces and local news

This years' Wap was a triumph for all involved - see previous photos from the day - this photo also arrived in my inbox from a local resident who caught me with the Mayor and Queen at the cheese rolling.

Anyhow it has been a very busy time so this is a bit of a cheat catch up on what I've been up to during last couple of days instead of any more detailed report....

LSP think tank: Sunday saw me up before 6.00 am - couldn't sleep so applied myself to putting together a Green party response to a think tank document by the Council - see our comments here. As I said in the document "It is an excellent, important, clear and concise, report identifying the main issues." If it translates into policy it really will put Stroud ahead of the field in terms of tackling peak oil.

Planning and Regeneration Service Scutiny meeting: Monday morning saw me at Ebley Mill and at meetings with Heads of service for Planning and Regen - an opportunity to ask questions about why they are or are not meeting targets - I'll be writing a proper report to Scrutiny on those but it covered issues like why haven't we got an Ecologist yet, what support is District giving to Parish councillors, why have staffing improvements to Planning not yet been approved etc....

Green District councillors meeting: After lunch saw me in Nailsworth for the first meet of Green District councillors since elections - we met at our newest members home in Nailsworth and discussed what committees would be best to push our Green aims and how best to get places on those committees - no doubt more of that when all is decided on Thursday night at Full Council.

Photo: entrance to Lightwood Lane

Casework and other stuff: Having Monday and Tuesday off work has allowed me to catch up on loads of stuff - still more to do - I never detail casework here as it is confidential but to give an idea of last few weeks it includes queries re planning applications particularly the mast proposed for Randwick (see last blog entry), a tree that is dangerous and needs attention, a woman who would like to move out of her sheltered accomodation into another and was having difficulties, chasing up re poss signage for Lightwood Lane which has seen vehicles getting stuck (see earlier post on this and photo), putting together a case for allotments in Whiteshill and more.

Other bits of local news

Police unit: The mobile Police unit was in Whiteshill a wee while back (and at the Wap) - it got reported in the paper - interestingly Reuben Wyatt who has just retired as the driver of the mobile unit played Little Jim in the 1971 version of the film, "Cider with Rosie".

Archers: I used to listen lots but haven't for sometime - but last month saw Stroud get another mention (see transcript here) - indeed a couple of Transition Stroud folk are trying to get Pat Archer to visit Stroud - I gave their contact details to The Citizen but they ended up using a quote from me to meet their deadline - something along the lines of "It is great the Archers are putting Stroud on the map - but we are hoping they can be a little more accurate in their coverage and hopefully cover in future some of the most exciting projects of Transition Stroud like plans for local currencies, Community Agriculture projects and plans for opening local eco-homes later in the year for local people to get ideas for their own homes"

Ruscombe Brook: meeting tonight - call 755451 for details. It will be a chance to meet the new student from Italy and work out next steps for the group.

Nailsworth to Stroud cycle path: I've had various correspondence over this - see a Green party response here.

New Stroud Town Council website: Have a look at the new look website designed by local Dave Cockcroft. See: www.stroud2020.org.uk