Stratford Park Leisure: great, great improvements

I was delighted to be invited to the "VIP opening" yesterday of the newly redeveloped Stratford Park. It has been a long haul to get the improvements but they are very, very worth it - District Council officers, the new company Sports and Leisure Management Ltd (SLM) and indeed the lead Councillor, Keith Pearson, should all be delighted by the results - and thanked. Well done to all!

It was also touching and right that the centre's improvements were in memory of Karen O'Toole who recently died - she was the amazing officer at Stroud District Councillor who headed up the improvements. Of course no one is expecting all to be rosy always but many positive comments are rolling in...a guy saying it was better than his Chelsea Gym, another loving the more open gym area with views out and some great new kit, the sauna and steam room improvements, the new sealed floor in gym, two dance studios...hey I could go on but go experience it....although for me I never fully understand why folk don't just get on a real bike or go for some real running...but back to the opening....not sure why it was billed VIP as mostly councillors!

Anyhow the morning tour and opening was an opportunity to also push with SLM and District some of my pet hopes like for more inclusion of people with a learning disability and others....last year I helped through work to organise a leisure taster day for around 200 adults with learning disabilities at Oxstalls. I'd love to see if it was poss here in Stroud....

I did also mention the Free Running sessions I tried unsuccessfully to get established with the previous owners...is there still interest? I will contact a few people but do let me know if you have thoughts. See also my comments re Free Running here.

I also tackled SLM's Catering boss re why not more Fairtrade and local food....of course buying stuff in across the country makes it cheaper but hey what about our local producers....not sure I got very far at all except perhaps local beer but that is on decline in leisure centres anyway....

Lastly I challenged them on reducing meat - we've seen many increase veggie options and some councils adopt Meat Free Mondays what about SLM here in Stroud? Well we'll see - certainly Ecotricity is leading the way with vegetarianism and their moves at Forest Green Rovers.

Anyhow the Leicestershire-based SLM took over the running of the facility from November 1 - one minute past midnight. Parkwood Leisure, which first started running the centre in 1998, lost the bid - and as regular blog readers or regular centre users will know there has been a history of issues there - on Scrutiny I repeatedly raised issues like cleanliness and also energy efficiency - see for example here - well the new contract tightens up on both those and allows for some real opportunities for improvements like solar power.

Among the new responsibilities tied in is ground maintenance of the all-weather pitch, netball courts and outdoor pool, the setting of rates for the whole centre and to achieve a nationally recognised pool safety award by the end of March 2013. A tall order but they have been working hard and I am hopefully they will make it!

Today will be the second day of their opening celebrations - already over 5,000 people have signed up!!!! See the new website and how to join at:
http://www.everyoneactive.com/

Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe News from your District Councillor

I've just started delivering my latest news letter - the contents of which are below - apols for delay - I usually try to get it out in January but due to a twisted ankle and the snow it has been delayed. Please also use the 'labels' or the search engine on this blog to find out more about my activities.

Dear Resident,

I feel very fortunate to live in and be part of these lively communities. We have a great village shop, schools, churches, clubs and pubs, plus many wonderful local events like street parties, the Randwick Wap, pancake races, art exhibitions, theatre and more. These all go a long way towards strengthening our communities - something that is close to my heart.

As residents will know, I have nearly completed four years as the local District Councillor. I would be proud to serve a further term and I hope you will consider voting for me this May.

This newsletter gives a taste of some of my recent actions and projects. As I hope it shows, I remain passionate about social and environmental justice and am committed to working with others to achieve the changes we need.

I would like to thank all those who have supported me and the local Green Party for funding this annual newsletter.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Councillor for Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward

Want to talk to Philip?

Philip would love to hear your views, answer your questions or try to help with local problems. Email Philip on philip.booth2@virgin.net or phone 01453755451 or write to: 2 The Laurels, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud GL66EL.

Some recent successes

Philip has:

• Led a successful campaign to get a bus shelter at Stratford
• Set up the Stroud Valleys Water Forum that is taking a lead in developing an effective flood policy for the District
• Initiated a Countywide scheme for libraries to loan out energy monitors to help people cut their energy use
• Supported residents who have had problems with planning issues
• Helped get a new culvert and grill at Acres Place, Puckshole, to reduce flooding
• Worked with Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish Council to establish allotments in the area Road
  

Some recent actions by your councillor:

Seeking more accountability at the Council

I have joined other Greens in calling for:

• Councillor expenses to be published fully
• Ending the extra cash paid to councillors who use larger cars
• More openness around decisions to close joint-use sports centres
• The Council to apologise to tenants for the damning report on our Council housing stock (with the exception of two other councillors, all refused to make an apology)

Working for better planning

• I continue to oppose development on the Ruscombe Valley fields and at other key local sites that are currently threatened
• I have been one of four councillors on an extensive inquiry into the planning process which has made key recommendations for improvements

Pressing for transport improvements

• I have helped to gain the '20 is Plenty' traffic calming signs. I oppose County Council measures to remove these.
• I continue to seek other local traffic calming measures (not humps and bumps)
• I continue to work for 20mph speed limits in residential areas to reduce casualties and encourage more walking and cycling
• I want to see a proper bus station in Stroud and improvements to cycle facilities

Protecting our wildlife and environment

• I have been involved in projects locally such as clearing the local brook, supporting the local Hedgehog Hospital and helping develop the Stroud-based Global Bee Project to protect solitary bees
• I have sought improvements to local grit bins and road gullies
• I helped ensure that Severn Trent has taken action on sewage systems locally. This has led to a significant reduction in sewage incidents

Open Homes Success

• I initiated and help organise the hugely popular Eco-renovation Open Homes weekend each September. This involves local homes with renewable energy and energy efficiency measures opening to the public and local renewable energy installers promoting their products

Tackling fuel poverty, energy security and climate change

• I chaired a scrutiny inquiry that has made recommendations for financing energy efficiency and renewable measures
• I am seeking opportunities for the Council to invest and make serious financial returns on investments in renewable energy

Working on your behalf

• Opposing a large incinerator at Javelin Park near Stonehouse or elsewhere in the County
• Actively working to ensure our waste management is more sustainable and cost effective
• Initiated a wood fuel project in local woods
• Raised key issues as Stroud’s representative on the Wessex Water Customer Liaison Panel
• Sought improvements to services at Stratford Park Leisure Centre including measures to improve cleanliness and energy efficiency
• Supported others to successfully oppose large cuts in funding to arts

See last years report here.

More on Scrutiny: fly-tipping and leisure centres

It was Scrutiny meeting on Thursday night at Ebley Mill and I have already covered the report that I presented on climate change measures - see here - and the one on planning here. The rest of the agenda is here and included looking at performance indicators, the housing improvement plan and lots more....but here I'll just cover the fly-tipping and joint leisure centres briefly...

Photo: Pic of Randwick looking through to where Ebley Mill is sited!

Joint Use Leisure centres

I've covered this before here and here: those bits cover the background. Basically it is Cabinet's recommendation to 'terminate' JUC contracts at Nailsworth, Wotton and Berkeley and 'further review the future management of the other joint use sites'. Here are some comments from Cllr Fi MacMillan, Green councillor for Nailsworth:

• With an 'intent to terminate' JUC agreements, this is not an open consultation process which gives confidence to communities that leisure provision has ongoing commitment from SDC. • This recommendation has been developed behind closed doors without democratic involvement undermining confidence in partnership working. • There is no interim funding on the table to allow communities to make the transition from a subsidised service provision to a stand alone service. • Mostly importantly, this decision is not aligned to the Council's objectives set out in the Sustainable Communities Strategy to be 'fair and just', to promote 'health and wellbeing' and to provide sustainable services. • It is not aligned to our targets under the Local Area Agreement to increase adult participation in sport, National Indicator 8. • This recommendation takes no account of how well SDC has been meeting the needs of any of these communities - some of the services appear to have withered through inadequate provision of services.

The ideal would be that we have a leisure strategy across the district and align all Leisure Services expenditure behind this, rather than cutting the JUCs one by one - a slow and painful death leaving our communities without adequate leisure provision in the long-term.

The administration is describing this as an 'efficiency saving', which it is not. It is a cut in service by this Council. In addition the notion that JUCs be 'returned' to the schools is a slight of hand. Nailsworth School Governors are clear that schools are not permitted to use their resources to facilitate leisure activity at their premises. We are being told that there is adequate private sector provision in some areas which makes JUCs outdated. There is private sector provision available to those who can afford this - but not to others. This is not 'fair and just'.

Nailsworth Town Council are equally damming in their report "Observations of the Report to Special Cabinet on 28 January 2010 - Review of Joint Use Sites and Wotton Pool". In their summary they note:

• The Report is fundamentally slanted to justify the closure of these three centres, and has basic inaccuracies • The financial costs have been loaded so that smaller centres such as Nailsworth are asked to carry far more of the costs than larger ones such as Rednock. • The Report claims that Nailsworth school governors have been consulted. They have not. • Inexplicably the Report looks at 'competitor' facilities within a 10 mile radius, quite ignoring accessibility or affordability. • The Report ignores the special needs of potential users in Forest Green. • It is claimed that much effort has been put into advertising and promoting the centre. Yet we know of nothing. • In summary, the very Report is written in a way intended to justify the closure of the Nailsworth (and Vale of Berkeley and Wotton pool) centre, and has flagrant inaccuracies. Sadly, it highlights the determination of SDC to close them

The decision will be made at next Council meeting and it looks set to go through. I am unhappy, as noted before, in the whole way this review of services has been done. However I do have some faith that the Council will seek to maintain services in the community if possible - I did ask if transition funding might be available - it wasn't ruled out. Indeed closure will not be a good move politically.

Fly-tipping

The Council has made it's first prosecution for fly-tipping - a woman caught in day light tipping stuff under the sign that says no fly-tipping! Stroud is seen as 'effective' in dealing with fly-tipping - as opposed to 'not effective' or 'very effective'. We have seen a 19% decrease from 800 to 650 incidents between 07/08 and 08/09. The national picture is also to less fly-tipping - about 9% decrease nationally and 11% in the South West.

This meeting is a chance to quiz officers and members on our approach....Well I raised the issue of rubbish left over after the sledging (see here the views of one local about the impact on our area) - apparently that is litter rather than fly-tipping even though it includes tyres, a car bonnet and highway signs. Anyhow the District agreed to look at this issue with interested parties although it is private land.

Another issue I asked about was whether the free collection of bulky items by the District Council reduced fly-tipping. I was very surprised to learn that research indicates this is not a factor in fly-tipping! Does this mean we will be set for charges? Mind the administration of charges is costly in itself.

Updates: allotments, RBAG, Wap, Churchyard wall, Sunnyridge and more

News round-up:

Randwick Gardening Club talks allotments - Fiona Warin who is the Allotments Officer for Cheltenham Borough will talk on 'All About Allotments' on Weds 10th February 7.30 at the Village Hall. £2.50 for non-members.

Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish allotments - plans are still going ahead - the draft lease now needs to be approved - hopefully at the next Parish meeting.

Randwick Ceilidh - see more here - about 60 people there - local residents and dancers from all over the place and raised £601.10 for Haiti at the weekend with the promise of further donations - vastly exceeding out expectations. Well done indeed!! They note that this sum would not have been reached without the support of Randwick Village Hall committee who gave us free use of their excellent facilities.

Wap 2010 - this year the Randwick Wap will be Saturday 8th May. Cheese rolling will be the Sunday before on 2nd May.

Well Leaze Wall - Randwick Church has now agreed to go-ahead with the expensive repairs.

No Cold Calling Area - Randwick Parish have agreed to look at the lower end of the Parish - see my comments here.

Sunnyridge gets no to 14 homes - residents I am sure will have been delighted by news that the application for 14 instead of 7 homes was turned down at committee. The Parish spent a lot of time on this ensuring all the arguments were presented against this development. In my view this should never have had the 7 homes - it is - or rather was - an important green space separating Randwick Village from the other settlements.

Basketball hoop in Whiteshill - the youths who wanted this will be grown-up by the time it happens - the hoop is still stuck awaiting a new pole before it can be put in the ground. Funding has been agreed a longtime ago. See some background here. I hope things happen soon - I must have written dozens of emails on this topic!!

Ruscombe Brook Action Group - we've just sent off a letter requesting another meeting with Severn Trent - see here - it is 4 years since our last formal meeting and we are seeking updates to measures planned for the valleys. Meanwhile anyone intereste din joining RBAG do get in touch - we have our next monthly meeting on 9th Feb.

Budget at Full Council on 21st Jan

As usual a busy week and have a cold so not firing on all cylinders but here's a quick round-up of the Full Council meeting last week and a couple of other recent meetings....

Photos: wow what a frost today

These are challenging times and there is no doubt the administration had some very hard decisions to make the budget balance - even now there are serious risks attached to it like will the canal really come in on budget? Will we get the Icelandic bank money back? What will a new Government mean for local Councils? How will the recession continue to impact...Francis Roden, Leader of SDC gave a speech - see it here on SNJ website - as an indication of how the recession is biting, the Council's revenue and benefits service paid benefits totaling £32.5 million this year compared to £26 million the previous year - an increase of 25%!

So where will cuts fall? Well already huge cuts have been made by senior staff leaving and not being replaced - this has already had a noticeable impact on other senior staff left behind - already busy workloads have massively increased - there have been other cuts too when other staff have left and the posts not refilled - again putting pressure on remaining staff....

Other cuts have come to community grants and rises in car parking charges are now agreed. All this led to Stroud District Council approving a 1.9 per cent increase in its portion of the council tax.

Greens and others opposed the Tories plans - here's a quote in the SNJ summing it up: "Some councillors at the budget meeting said the authority should investigate borrowing cash to improve services during this period of low interest rates. Cllr Sarah Lunnon (Green) said: 'What we actually need at this moment is to take a brave decision like we did on the canal and borrow some money so we can fund some of our initiatives.'"

For me it is crucial that we look at borrowing - and I was delighted that the tories did not rule it out for the future. It makes sense - especially if we can spend now to make significant energy efficincy savings and install renewables - indeed we have the potential to develop an income stream in the future - especially when most renewables will have paybacks withing 7 to 10 years - and with rising energy prices even more!!

Arts funding U-turn

The good news is that SDC has made an 11th hour U-turn on proposals to slash grants to two arts organisations in the area. Both Prema Arts Centre, in Uley, which receives £10,000 in funding from the district council, and Stroud Valleys Artspace, which receives £12,000, will now get their full grants after fears were raised that the Arts Council would withdraw their funding if the council decided to cut its grants to the organisations. However it does not look like Stroud Valleys Project will have it's grant reduction reinstalled.

Joint-Use leisure centres

I have reported on this before - see here - well at Full Council this issue was not up for discussion as it was for a special meeting of Cabinet this last Thursday. Well sadly the future of Nailsworth Recreation Centre now hangs in the balance after Cabinet voted to go forward with plans to stop funding the facility. As they noted this is only a 'notice of intent' to terminate the informal agreements to run Nailsworth Recreation Centre, Vale of Berkeley Sports Centre and Wotton Pool - but let's get real - in practice their decision will mean vital funding is cut from the facilities. Here's how the SNJ report:

Cllr Keith Pearson, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We are only talking about handing back control of the facilities, we have never used the word closed."

Cllr Fi Macmillan (Green, Nailsworth) told the meeting that governors at Nailsworth Primary School said the centre would close if management was handed back as the school did not have the money to fund it.

The recommendations must be approved by full council on Thursday 25th February but it is not looking so good.

Members Development Group

This is a group that usually only meets a handful of times each year but we've had a number of additional meetings recently - don't think I've even mentioned I sit on this group - anyhow one of the areas we've been looking at his IT equipment used by councillors. It has traditionally been the case that Councils provide laptops for members.

SDC are now looking at giving a grant in the first year of £300 per councillor to purshase their own laptop and printer if necessary - this would mean significant savings but one issue I've ensured is addressed is that the principle is maintained that no councillor should be disatvantaged or not be able to function through lack of money....if a computer breaks before the guarantee runs out it is right that consideration is given to a replacement.

Some councillors have no problems re money but some are on low income and if we are to make the Council body representative then we need to ensure that councillors are not excluded through lack of money.

I've run out of puff writing - three other scrutiny meetings this last week but will write of those when their reports are presented in February.

Scrutiny: Joint Use sports centres, energy efficiency and disabled facilities grants

Last week I had a couple of Scrutiny meetings - one on financing climate change measures - well our report is nearly out so I wont cover that here - the other was the evening Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a look at the budget.

Photo: Ebley Mill viewed through trees from Randwick

Well again I can't cover all that here but several key issues I raised are covered below. I also sought information on the savings from posts not being filled - this can have a huge impact on remaining staff workloads and I am already aware that some have very high workloads. Many other issues were covered including news that Iceland money may not come back although the Cabinet member remains 'cautiously optimistic'.

Money for household energy efficiency and climate change

I made the point that this was welcomed as one of the only growth areas however it is small fry - just £100,000 next year with no more for the next 5 years! How can this possibly tackle the huge and growing problem of fuel poverty.

Many in the chamber were sympathetic but no more money available. I hope when the initial recommendations of the Scrutiny inquiry come to light we will be able to tackle this issue more. We must find a way forward - indeed had a useful discussion last week about what the blocks are to borrowing money to pay for such measures - pretty well none was the answer - in my view we need to move towards developing the Council's own renewable energy through an ESCo - borrowing then in some years we would have an income stream. It makes economic, environmental and moral sense......

Disabled facilities grants

The situation is getting worse - 12 to 15 month waiting lists for disabled people and longer waits forecast. This is not acceptable - nobody in the chamber was happy about it. SDC already work in partnership with Occupational Therapists, but I asked whether more could be done? It was a gloomy picture as even with more money the contractor could not take on more work. I still think we need to look at alternatives and will be asking more re this.

Joint Use centres to close?

On 30th November Stroud District Council issued a press release. In it the Council's Deputy Leader, Councillor Keith Pearson, is quoted as saying: "It is regrettable that we have to look at reducing the number of sports centres we manage but the bare facts show that not enough people use them. We have to be responsible with how we spend taxpayers' money and councils are under more and more pressure to show value for money".

At the 10 December 2009 Cabinet meeting. Agenda Item 10 titled, 'The General Fund Revenue Budget 2010/2011' states in paragraph 6 said: “This efficiency process ( the Medium Term Financial Plan) has included a decision to hand back two joint use sites namely Vale of Berkeley College, Nailsworth Primary School and Wotton Pool, the savings from which will be realised in the 2011/2012 budget”.

But now a consultation has been launched and we are having a special cabinet meeting on 28th Jan to discuss this ‘consultation’. I asked about why can we not have greater clarity of process here? It would appear that these proposals just came out of nowhere with no consultation? How fair is it to cut service from 3 centres without discussing it fully with local people?

As I have noted before there appears to be no strategic plan for leisure services (see here). This appears to be just cost-cutting without proper consideration. It is claimed that services are not providing ‘value’ so plans are made to cut the service rather than evaluating what value is and how we might seek it. This is not in my view the way to go about business. However I am encouraged that a more proper consultation has now been launched - however it still looks likely to lead to closure of some or all of the six joint use centres.

I recognise savings need to be made but as the Mayor of Nailsworth, Norman Kay points out in his report looking specifically at the centre in Nailsworth: "A 'reasonable' local authority would be expected to use such evidence, together with an assessment of resources available, to devise a comprehensive vision and plan for the Leisure Service, which addresses these considerations within the plan...SDC may, having done this, still decide on withdrawing from the NRC, but importantly, the decision would be based on evidence which could be used to demonstrate the comprehensiveness and efficiency of the service provided by reference to demonstrable need and resources...Financial savings may still be made, but the absence of a review of the Leisure Service, and the Council's apparent interpretation of an 'efficient' service as being entirely in financial terms, has appeared to rule out any meaningful discussions of other options....Service operation is limited from the information on the Council's website. It seems to have been underpublicised for some time. It is sensible for a Leisure Service to promote and encourage use. It is good practice for any public service to encourage participation through clear and easy ways to join, access, shape and influence the service....Service Delivery - Usage and Capacity. No evidence was put before Cabinet members to show what (if any) information the Council considered regarding usage patterns, or whether any other evidence was drawn on to guide the decision on withdrawing from the provision of the service at the NRC....Satisfaction with the service and links with other services/partners. There is no information on the satisfaction of users and ways in which the NRC facilities have been promoted to potential users, through for example, corporate membership for local employers; or how the Council is assisting/enabling the National Health Service through the PCT to obtain maximum benefit for its clients....The absence of a strategic plan or a development plan for the Leisure service, based on an assessment of need and a contemporaneous review of the service, completely hinders the Council being able to describe how its plans will meet the needs of, and have due regard for, the exercise and sports needs of those who live and work in Nailsworth."

I understand a large report will soon be available to those on request that hopefully will answer some of the concerns re lack of strategy. I await with interest.

Allotment project moving ahead slowly

Plans for allotments in Whiteshill and Ruscombe are moving ahead slowly - the draft lease is now being considered and I'm hopeful we can move forward - we've had lots of emails trying to get this sorted - and it looks like we wont actually be getting on the land for some months but it is still looking v possible.

Photo: View of Cashes Green allotments

The lease is between the Parish and a private landowner as no public land suitable can be identified and authorities don't have the resources to purshase land. That, in my view, needs to change but this arrangement locally is nothing like the new private allotment company that is now operating in Kent and about serious commericialisation.

In Kent the New Allotment Company Ltd opened its first site of 300 allotments on the outskirts of Tonbridge this week. It expects to open more sites in the Midlands and South East in a bid to make 10,000 plots of land available by Summer 2010. The plots of approximately 1000 square foot will cost £150 a year to rent and tenants will be offered a 3-year contract with the option to leave after the first year.

Donna McDaid, spokesperson for the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, is quoted in The Ecologist saying: "It goes against what we're all about. They are setting out to make a profit. They may be getting people off waiting lists but we want to encourage local authorities to promote their allotment facilities. This allows them to sit back and let companies like this one do their job for them, but at a cost."

Meanwhile, Rudi Schogger, Managing Director of The New Allotment Company defended the commercialisation of allotments suggesting that "the model of heavily subsidised allotments must change."

More from The Ecologist: In a report published last year, the think tank, The New Local Government Network (TLGN), called on councils to make use of brownfield sites and encourage landowners to donate unused holdings to their local community. It said it welcomed the moves to make more land available for allotments but said there would be question marks about inclusivity if local councils used the private provision as an excuse to cut back on their own obligations to provide allotments. Nick Hope, NLGN researcher and author of the report, 'Can you Dig it? Meeting Community Demand for Allotments', said if there was a demand then councils should step in and set up not-for-profit schemes using the same approach as private enterprise. He also said future housing projects should include the provision of 'edible' land that could be used to grow food. The Department for Local Government and Communities said Local authorities had a statutory duty to provide allotments where they perceive a demand for them, but it is up to each local authority to decide how much they spend on allotment provision in their area.

Certainly for me there is a serious question about inclusivity if we see charges like those being proposed in Kent. Locally I would love to see more folk requesting allotments of their Parish and Town Councils - the more demand, the more likely we are to see proper moves to develop new sites. I don't think there is even a list in Randwick yet - time to get them to start one!! Indeed this project in Whiteshill and Ruscombe could be the first new allotments site for a long while.

Councils must not invest taxpayers money in Airport growth

The more I thought about the nonsense going on over Staverton Airport the more I felt the urge to write - here is the letter I sent earlier this week:

The Citizen/Echo report that Cheltenham Borough and Gloucester City Councils, who each own a 50 per cent stake in Staverton Airport, will make a decision on 14th December and 7th January on whether to borrow £2.4 million to fund runway improvement plans. The lack of scrutiny about these plans to attract more corporate jet-setters is shocking.

A toothless "Green Management Plan" was introduced last year to appease campaigners that the airport would limit CO2 emissions. However it appears to have been dropped, as it conflicts with this latest plan to increase flights. These Councils are setting an appalling example to residents and businesses, by using taxpayers money to support increases in CO2 emissions when they should be cutting them by more than 80%.

However it gets worse. The economic arguments for expansion also just don't add up. Indeed the Government's own advisors, the Sustainable Development Commission, earlier this year called into question the economic benefits of aviation in terms of wealth creation and called for a review on policies of expanding airports.

News this month that world oil reserves have been seriously overestimated is an indication that we will be facing significant fuel price rises. This will encourage more companies to shift away from flights to more responsible alternatives. It also cannot be long before the public are not prepared to subsidise aviation anymore.

Already '"bizjet" aviation, which includes a high proportion of celebrity and leisure flights, is exempt from fuel tax. Aviation is also exempt from protection against noise nuisance claims and a whole host of other subsidies like paying for the radio spectrum which mobile phone, Emergency services and others all have to pay.

Yes, borrow £2.4 million, but invest it in renewables and energy saving measures: the return in terms of social, economic and environmental benefits will be significantly greater than anything wished for by this airport plan.

Cllr. Philip Booth (Green party), Stroud District councillor for the Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward

Notes:

(i) Tewkesbury Borough Council, which has planning jurisdiction on the site, in September approved the extension despite huge opposition and policy statements noting that aircraft emissions are material to planning applications.

Lots of Scrutiny but how effective?

This week I've had several scrutiny meetings including Thursday night a 6pm to 10.30pm meeting and Friday a 5 to 7pm meeting. Next week I have another two hour long meetings with two heads of service......

Photo: Autumn is well and truly on it's way - love the colours and love the sunshine we've had

I have to question again how useful all this is....when it works it can work well, but our Thursday night meeting didn't - yes there were some very important contributions but overall the agenda was huge and some of the most important issues didn't get the time they warranted - furthermore after a couple of hours I know for me after a days work and rushing to get there for 6 my brain starts to frazzle as we get into the minutia of some of these reports....the discussions certainly went astray that evening - we need to take action to ensure that does not happen again - indeed I already have thoughts but that is for another time.

In terms of what we discussed well...the HRA account,legal services, quarterly reports with Heads of Service, street cleansing incl fly-tipping, an update on the planning inquiry and Stratford Park leisure centre - each one of those topics could easily take an hour - the last one mentioned did - we heard lots from Parkwood about their moves to improve cleanliness at the leisure centre - poured over charts and figures re cleanliness and visitor numbers - the new no shoes policy in the changing rooms - the press coverage - although as I noted they didn't mention the dramatic closure of the centre in the summer when chemicals got together that shouldn't - I am assured this cannot happen again. They also have a sustainability programme - more of that another time as I've already followed up on that for more details of future plans.

This summer the District Council invoked a clause in the contract with Parkwood to do a deep clean and get Parkwood to pay for it - it is wholly unacceptable that it got to that point - I welcome the Districts move to take action on this - it is long overdue time for improvements - we also heard that Parkwood are trying to improve - we have heard this before and seen improvements before but they slipped - I trust this time it is genuine.

There is loads more I could write about all of that but am happy to talk with anyone local interested - I should perhaps also mention the scrutiny sub-group meeting last night - on climate change - I have been elected chair - it was more of a scoping exercise that evening but very fruitful and I am enthusiastic about next moves and what might be possible - we'll see but time now for Farmers Market before all the donuts have run out...

Susan Freck and the Stroud Choral Society

Hey I had no idea that the Stroud Choral Society is the second oldest choral society in the UK - apparently Halifax, beat us to the oldest title. What I have also recently discovered is that Puckshole resident Susan Freck wrote all about them in her book 'Stroud Sings' - this was a Millennium project that took three years of research - a social and musical history from 1834 to 2000.

‘Stroud Sings’ is available through members of the Society - or by e-mail to stroudchoral@btinternet.com. The book can also still be purchased at the Museum in the Park.
Anyway the Society began in the first part of the nineteenth century following the opening of the Subscription Rooms in October 1834.The book contains snippets of everyday life in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries together with the trials, tribulations and successes of the Choral Society. Early concerts in the Subscription Rooms were regarded as tremendous social occasions of great importance. However apparently there was one occasion in 1845 when the Choral Society, singing at Cirencester, was paid £40 to go away!
Here's more about the book:

Concert goers in the 1860’s were incensed by the state of Street lighting in Stroud. Going home after concerts, they complained that the gas lights where either too close together or more infrequent than angel’s visits. The renovations of the Sub Rooms in 1869 caused further anguish to the Stroud populace. The renovations were taking far too long and costing too much! By a curious twist of fate, Mendelssohn’s ‘St Paul’ was the last concert given before the closure in 1869 and the first choral concert given in the opening week following the recent renovations in 2000.

Readers will enjoy the one-man campaign in 1868 by someone using the pen-name Ex-Impresario. Over a period of many weeks he urged The Journal readers to take notice of his ideas in order to raise the standard of choral music in Stroud to international levels. Maybe professional musicians may know, or be able to guess at, the identity of Ex-Impresario.

Getting carried away on 1904, The Stroud Journal declared, in bold letters and quite erroneously, that ‘The Choral Society had died of ambition’ as it was impossible for a small town such as Stroud to continue putting on concerts that involved an outlay of £100 each.

The open-air concert in Stratford Park, Thursday 18th July 1907

Far from having died of ambition, the Choral Society rose to many challenges of the twentieth century. Though one problem, that of singing with their backs to the audience in the Parish Church, took many years to solve!

During WW2, the Society ‘did its bit’ by staging concerts on Sunday afternoons to avoid blackout difficulties. These concerts were immensely popular, with queues stretching from the Parish Church down the length of the High Street waiting to get in.

Under Sammy Underwood, their conductor for over 50 years, the society went from strength to strength. Composers used the society to showcase new works. Famous soloists such as Isobel Baillie, Janet Baker, Heddle Nash and April Cantelo came to sing. Amanda Roocroft, of international acclaim, gave her first professional performance with the Society in 1986.

The Society has supported charities throughout both centuries, singing as early as 1851 to raise money for the Casualty Hospital and supporting the new Stroud Hospital from 1873 onwards. During the latter part of the twentieth century, the Society has supported the Hospice movement, in particular, Cotswold Care.

Although the Society has uncovered much of its history there still remains some secrets and mysteries to be explained. Perhaps a future reader may be able to throw light on some of those unsolved questions.

See more at their website here. Plus details of their next concert on 21st Nov - see here.

What do you think of Stratford Park?

Twelve volunteers are being sought to help shape future services at Stroud's Stratford Park Leisure Centre. As noted on this blog the present contract for managing the centre is set to run out in October 2011, Stroud District Council is looking at what activities and facilities should be provided under a new deal and what developments might be possible.

If you are interested and are an existing or potential customer then contact Ray Figg, council head of cultural services at Ebley Mill. See here most recent blog which includes concerns re their lack of looking at sustainability - indeed just got minutes through from that Policy Panel mentioned in the blog and in my view the minutes played down councillors concerns that Sustainability should be a priority - also should we really be looking at Stratford Park in isolation from all other leisure services - I don't think so - I'll be writing again to Officers and Cabinet members on this.

Parish AGM reports: a brief summary of what I have been doing

Both Whiteshill and Ruscombe Parish and Randwick Parish have their AGM's on this Thursday 21st May 2009. As I will be at SDC's AGM I have sent a statement to them - see below - I had wanted to write more but all done in haste as meeting in Cheltenham tonight.

Photo: me outside Randwick Village Hall during the Open Homes weekend

Statement from District Councillor Philip Booth

Apologies that I cannot join you this evening for our Parish AGM. Tonight is also Stroud District Council’s AGM. The District Council meeting looks set to be interesting as many councillors are seeking answers as to how the District’s Housing Revenue Account could be overspent by £1.2m and why there are moves to curtail District councillors and Parish and Town Council powers to challenge local Planning applications.

Below I’ve included some of the local issues I’ve been working on during the last year - however first I wanted to start by saying a big thank you to all the Parish councillors and Parish Clerk for the great job they are doing.

Where to begin? Well I was delighted to find my Blog, Ruscombe Green, was voted in a national poll, 5th Best Green Blog. I started it when I was elected in 2006 - an online diary with comments, copies of my letters to the press, info about meetings, local events, campaigns, photos and more. There are over 1,800 entries and over 3,000 unique visitors each month. It has been a good way to keep in touch and debate with local residents. See it at: http://ruscombegreen.blogspot.com

One highlight of the year was the Eco-renovation Open Homes weekend in September that I organised. Over 750 visits were made to 12 homes in the Stroud area to see renewable energy and energy efficiency measures in action. In addition to this over 400 people visited Randwick Village Hall to see the eco-exhibitions and the official opening of the hall. See more re this years plans for over 20 homes to open at: www.stroudopenhomes.org.uk/

Council’s environmental targets - I have been trying to ensure, through my role on a Scrutiny committee, that the District Council meets its environmental targets - and indeed improves those targets. Much is needed for example the future of Stratford Park is now being discussed yet in ten criteria used to evaluate delivery, sustainability was not even mentioned (it is now!). I am also sitting on a new small inquiry team looking to maximise funding from utility companies to tackle climate change.

Action on forecast fuel prices - Prices are fluctuating, but longer term they are set to rise. I have sought more action by the District Council to prepare for this, including pushing specific actions like a pool cover for Stratford Park Leisure Centre and greater promotion of special tariffs for those facing financial difficulties.

Planning issues - I’ve met a number of people locally and have tried to support them where they are having problems with the planning system or when inappropriate development is proposed. We managed to get rejected both the planned telecom mast near Ash Lane and a proposal by Highways to remove large parts of the roadside bank in Ash Lane.

Ruscombe Brook, Water and Flood action - I have just initiated and helped establish a forum of local flood and brook groups so that we can work more closely to ensure improvements to planning policy. Our local Ruscombe Brook Action Group that I helped set up still meets monthly and has successfully reduced sewage incidents in the brook. We have seen improvements locally by Severn Trent, organised a morning cleanup of one section of the brook and are working with the District Council to see measures at Puckshole to reduce the occasional severe flooding there. I have also been appointed to represent the District Council on the Wessex Water Customer Liaison Panel.

Allotments wanted - we have a Parish working group to explore finding a location for allotments. We are close to putting forward a proposal for a small site.

Basketball hoop - I managed to obtain a hoop following requests from younger residents, the Parish are now looking to install it in the Whiteshill and Ruscombe Playing Field.

Stratford Road Bus shelter - for some time now I have been working to see a shelter put in place by Tesco outside their store. Tesco have agreed but it still has not appeared: there is now a petition locally to see if we can encourage them to act.

Building communities - after initiating a street party in Bread Street last summer with local residents I have supported other communities to plan their parties. I am also working with a local land owner to establish a community-run orchard. We have already had two very successful picking and juicing days last Autumn. Events that bring people together are vital to communities and we are fortunate to have many in this Parish like the Pancake races, the amazing Wap and the excellent Whiteshill and Ruscombe Arts and Crafts Fair last Saturday.

County Council issues - I have also tried to support the Parish and address County Council issues like Slowing traffic - we urgently need traffic calming. The good news is that the ‘20 is Plenty’ scheme looks finally set to happen as a first step to more traffic calming (but not more humps!). Road Gullies and Grit bins - I negotiated with the County Council to see improvements at several key locations. However there are still problems like vandalised grit bins that lead to problems like salt getting into the local water courses.

Housing needs - support to people with various housing needs in the ward.

Recycling - calling on our Councils to improve recycling and prevent the construction of a huge waste incinerator at Stonehouse.

Climate Change talks and articles - I have written regularly in the local press and spoken at several local groups including two churches about the threat of climate change. The science is clear that we need to act and act very quickly. Yet the prospects of climate change are very scary and many, including politicians, seem paralysed or unclear about what measures they can take. It is vital we all get the message across about what is possible; fear disempowers us but there are signs of hope. We can all play our part in ensuring necessary actions are taken. I have just heard that my proposal for libraries to issue energy monitors like books has been accepted. A pilot will begin later this year so that people can borrow these and see how they can reduce their energy use and costs.

Other issues - I am also involved in a whole host of other issues locally including helping run the monthly Coffee House Discussions in Stroud where topics from the decline of bees to discussing tidal energy projects that are more sustainable than a barrage, getting the Rainbow Flag flying for Glos Pride, coordinating the Glos Safe Water Campaign, helping run a campaign to stop expansion of Gloucestershire Airport, supporting various Transition Stroud initiatives like a local currency and leading a weekly Woodcraft Folk group for 18 children aged 6 to 9.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a query.

Cllr Philip Booth, Stroud District Councillor for Randwick, Ruscombe and Whiteshill ward, 2 The Laurels, Bread Street, Ruscombe, Stroud GL66EL Tel: 755451 Email: philip.booth2@virgin.net

Future for Stratford Park leisure?

Last week I went to a Policy Panel one evening at Ebley Mill on Stratford Park - it was "to allow all Members the opportunity to assist the Cabinet in devising, formulating and implementing a policy on the Stratford Park Options Appraisal" - ie what is the future for Stratford Park?

Photos: Skateboarding near Stratford Park has improved significantly with the new park - middle pic is from a skateboarding friend in Australia who designed this park for his local town.

The Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee has already received two reports this year to consider the progress made on the Cultural Services Review (they should be on the Council website). There was also an information evening on 17 March 2009.

Anyhow the meeting last week looked at a number of issues like what criteria should we be considering for contracts for Startford Park? Astonishingly - or perhaps not - on the day the Council publishes their "Environmental Statement 2007-2008" in which they claim "Putting climate change at the heart of our policy making and operations" they release this discussion paper for the Options Appraisal for Stratford Park - it lists 10 criteria that make not even a mention of sustainability, energy efficiency or climate change?????!

I made the point and it was added as criteria point 11 and then we had much discussion about which were the most important points to consider - 'Sustainability' ranked in the top along with 'Service Levels' and 'Quality and Equality". The process was fairly meaningless as the criteria were so complex and not easy to simplify in the way asked - however it was about giving Officers and Cabinet member some thoughts on what was wanted. To some extent it achieved that.

There was also discussion about the range of options available for future service delivery and the possible advantages and disadvantages of each option. I strongly made the point that I thought it was wrong to be doing this appraisal in isolation from other leisure services like use of schools and other community facilities etc - and indeed the discussion about whether we should be involved in leisure services at all. Where is the vision or discussion about what we might want for the District?

Many points were made:

- what extent should SDC pay for leisure: some of the projections indicate going up from £300,000 plus to over a million?
- how does that compare with spending on fuel poverty/climate change etc? What are our priorities and responsibilities?
- some councillors asked whether we should be in the leisure business and if so what role?
- councillors also noted the huge benefits to community, health and more from such services: for me health/access/prescriptions are important aspects.
- costs of the well-run Dursley Pool (still managed by Council) and Stratford Park were compared - Dursley was more expensive in terms of subsidy but was maximising it's use more and didn't have facilities that would bring down the costs compared to Stratford Park. Comparing the two has only limited value. I did ask why we don't take Stratford Park back and have it managed by Dursley?

So should we see Stratford Park go to a company like the current one, or be taken back in house or should we cut the whole lot free - or should we be pushing for a more thorough appraisal about poss uses of the site? What about a conference centre? Other uses? I would welcome thoughts.

There was also information on Stratford Park grounds maintenance contract - and consideration of the advantages and disadvantages of having Grounds maintenance of Stratford Park as part of Leisure Management Contract or not - most councillors there seemed to agree it should be separate. This would allow for more local companies to bid and for them to focus on what they know best. I also made the point that some costs could be saved by turning to more sustainable flower beds - perennials and shrubs rather than annuals.

The next steps are soft market testing this month then some public engagement, Cabinet and Scrutiny in July, a September info evening and then Cabinet on 6th October to decide to procure Leisure Management Contract.

Green Knight, Green beer, a horse and European elections

Indeed Green beer, a Green Knight on horseback, speeches, quiz, storytelling and an Open Mic night launched the Green party's bid in Gloucestershire to get the first ever Green MEP in the South West - more details below re what Greens want to see in EU, but first more about Saturday...

Photos: First couple of photos from independent journalist John Hatton then pics from me from Saturday night incl Ricky Knight doing his number plus Phil Blomberg doing his. The last four are from our official photographer Ruth Davey

On Well Saturday Green party members were out canvassing all day in Stroud and Nailsworth then in the evening we were met in Nailsworth by Rose Hall as the Knight on horseback - we then made our way to The Village Inn pub - to launch the Green Knight beer - a specially brewed organic and vegan beer named after Ricky Knight, the Greens lead Euro candidate - possibly the first beer ever to be named after a European election candidate!

Infact I've been emailing CAMRA and other beer publications today about the event. Jon Kemp, the Nailsworth brewer (he's the one holding the horse in this pic) has also done us some bottles - see label further below - took ages to sort with Electoral Commission the wording and what needed to count as donations etc to election. Anyhow here is some of what I said to beer press re the beer: "It has been described by the local brewer as a light, hoppy organic vegan beer with hints of grapefruit and elderflower coming in at 4.4% abv. I'm not sure I can taste the fruit but it was very quaffable indeed. Several other venues in the South West have expressed an interest in stocking the beer."

We had some passionate speeches from Ricky Knight and also Nailsworth and Minch County Council candidate Sophie Barton. All the while the horse, Brecon, behaved wonderfully - indeed a total star even supping from a pint mug for the photographers.

Ricky spoke about the opportunity to get a Green MEP for the first time in the South West as the European Elections are run on a Proportional Representation system. About the changes that will be possible and so needed, about not being corrupted by the Brussels politics and lobbyists, about the ways he will represent Green views and more. He said that with the economy in a mess and the environment balanced on tipping points the best possible message to send to those that have failed to represent us, is to vote Green on June 4th.

Sophie Barton, the Green party's County Council candidate in Nailsworth, a mother of three who is studying a Master’s degree in Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies also made a passionate speech from the heart saying: "Six months ago, I had no idea I would be in politics, but I can no longer sit on the sidelines, waiting for the changes we so badly need. As my knowledge has deepened surrounding the issues that currently face us, I realise that a fundamental change in the way we do politics has to come about. And, as Gandhi once said, 'Be the change you want to see'.”

We then all went in the pub for the European Quiz - 30 questions - one team romped home with 21.5 out of 30 - I am afraid the team I was in came in at 16 correct answers - semi-respectable? The quiz was compiled by Ricky's partner L'Anne who also acted as Quiz Mistress and contained some virtually impossible questions....

We then had a completely spell-binding story of the Green Knight and Sir Gawain - Fiona Eadie, a Nailsworth storyteller had me on the edge of my seat with the tale - brilliant, magic, wonderful! Plus she even managed to apply lessons to the Euro campaign....

After that came the Open Mic night and what an amazing collection of artists that included the Village Inn's House Band, Edge of Blue (who played in Whiteshill at the local village performance), a young lad who played Mustang Sally and more, Shaun with 'I've been through the desert on a horse with no name', 'Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heaven's Door' and Tracey Chapman's 'Revolution' plus the amazing Katharina Heinrich with a ukelehle - how on earth do you spell that - plus County Council Rodborough ward Green party candidate Phil Blomberg (see pic below) and more...

Ricky Knight even took a turn at the Mic to passionately sing an old antiwar song without accompaniment - very moving powerful stuff - see photo.

It was a good night indeed and a fitting start to our Glos election campaign. I don't think I've covered the seven key issues for the Euro campaign so here they are...

Seven key Euro issues on which Greens are campaigning

ENERGY
> renewable energy from the wind, the waves and from biomass
> every home a 'power-station' with free insulation offered to every household in the SW
> energy security with connection to a DC European Super-Grid

ECONOMY
> a £40 billion injection into real jobs in the energy market, not into bailing out failed banks
> re-regulation of financial and banking sector
> cap on salaries, bonuses, pay-offs and pension settlements and higher taxes on higher-earners

TRANSPORT
> massive investment in public transport, to encourage people out of their cars and onto busses, trains, bikes and feet
> put an end to uneconomical and unnecessary airport expansion and charge the true cost for aviation
> introduce joined-up transport solutions to urban congestion, with park and ride/walk schemes that link in with busses and trains, with safe pedestrian and cycling routes to work and a systematic reduction in parking spaces in town & city centres.

TOURISM
> encourage longer-stay home-holidays
> promote the South West as a UK holiday haven and destination of preference
> ensure quality of accommodation and environment, together with investment into entertainment and leisure options to ensure that longer-stays are memorable for everyone

CLIMATE CHANGE
> work towards a zero-carbon economy through systematic 'carrot and stick' legislation
> maintain the pressure on governments to achieve year-on-year CO2 emissions' reduction
> work towards a successful conclusion to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference in December

TRANSPARENCY
> ensure that the issue of open, honest, transparent accountability is addressed
> ensure that the issue of MEPs' expenses is open to effective scrutiny
> ensure that bureaucratic overload, waste and corruption in the EU is effectively addressed

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
> invest in more allotments and encourage many more home vegetable-plots
> Local is Best - encourage farmers' markets and the production and availability of local produce to help break the monopoly of supermarkets and bring vibrant life back into dying town centres
> root and branch reform of the Common Agriculture and Fisheries Policies

Hard Rain: one of the most powerful exhibitions to come to Stroud

Yesterday I managed to go to the Hard Rain exhibition in Stratford Park - it is only here until 28th April and we are very fortunate to have it on our doorstep. It is hugely powerful stuff that moved me to tears - as the old Chinese proverb says: "A Picture's Meaning Can Express Ten Thousand Words" - together the photos bring to life Dylan's passion and words in unexpected and effective ways. A must see. Huge thanks to all who made it possible - it is a great call to action for all of us.

Photos: some of the pics from the exhibition - start at the bottom and work back - not like some folk who read it all backwards.

The exhibition opened the night before with a mass singing of the Dylan Song that was apparently very moving. John Marjoram I am told made a powerful speech calling for action. The Hard Rain website is more than worth a look. Here is some of how the Town Council are advertising the event:

After touring the globe and visiting such places as the Eden Project and the UN Headquarters in New York, one of the world's most acclaimed photo exhibitions is due to stop off in Stroud. The exhibition puts together images collected by international photographer Mark Edwards and words from Bob Dylan's classic song 'Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall'. It will run at the Museaum in The Park from April 17th-28th - and you are invited to help open the show.

Dave Cockcroft, vice-chair of our Finance and Recreation Committee, on the Town Council said: "This is a stunning exhibition and we're delighted to support in PhotoStroud bringing it Stroud. I think anyone who goes to view it will be deeply moved by the words and images which bring home the environmental catastrophe we are all facing."

http://www.hardrainproject.com

Organiser Fred Chance explained: "As you know, PhotoStroud has organized a season of events through April linking together words and photographs. The last of these is the very moving 'Hard Rain' exhibition. It has toured some of the most important exhibition sites in the world and has now, of course, found it's way to Stroud. The exhibition puts together images made and collected by internationally acclaimed photographer Mark Edwards and words by Bob Dylan. There is, in fact, one photograph to each line of Dylan's 'Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall'. If you know the song you will remember that there are quite a few lines. The photographs and the words are printed on material which will be shown outdoors in Stratford Park on a single banner which is an amazing 50 meters long."

It will be shown on a greenwood frame which is being specially made or the event and can be seen until the end of April. The launch of such an important exhibition, though, is an important event in itself.

The exhibition has been made possible by the generosity of Stroud based Ecotricity and it's founder Dale Vince OBE. Stroud Town Council have helped make the framework to support the exhibition with a grant of £500 and Kendrick Street wine merchants Oeno have offered assistance with the launch arrangements.