I also post items on the @ErminWard Facebook page @ErminWard
CONTACT DETAILS:. Cllr Julia Judd Ermin Ward District Councillor julia.judd@cotswold.gov.uk 07853 383874
COUNCIL MEETING - 22 SEPTEMBER - in the COUNCIL CHAMBER To see the publicly available information, follow this link for the full AGENDA- webcast links of the meeting are now included under each item. AGENDA ITEMS 5, 6 & 8 - QUESTIONS & MOTIONS
The Planning White paper has not been published and we already know that it will look very different from the 2020 Consultation so the motion to scrap it is not viable. The National Park proposal is also unknown. NPs have different policies and rulings, a hybrid might suit the Cotswolds. It is merely a consideration as the Cotswold AONB does not seem to be robust enough to protect this special area. Government grants £1.5 million to fund the AONB, National Parks receive £6.5 million. AGENDA ITEM 07 - FUNDING FOR ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE OF COUNCIL SERVICE PROPERTY ASSET – CIRENCESTER LEISURE CENTRE - The Leisure Centre will have to be closed again owing to repairs which were identified last year. It is unfortunate that these repairs were not carried out when the Leisure Centre was closed last winter (owing to Covid). Next Meeting - Wednesday 17 November 2021 – 2pm
PLANNING
I am delighted to say that resources have been made available to appoint another interim planning case officer. Furthermore, two further student planning officers are being recruited. Whilst this will not resolve the backlog within the department immediately, it is a step in the right direction.
MISSED WASTE COLLECTIONS
Missed waste or recycling collections can now be reported online. Sometimes our waste and recycling collection crews will miss a collection. You can now report the missed collection online in just a few clicks and Ubico will do their best to come back out as soon as possible to collect. Click here https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/missedcollection
How to report potholes effectively
I recommend using this links, especially if you have a smartphone and can take a photograph of the pothole and identify the exact position. It is more efficient than emailing the council as officers get a daily schedule of these alerts. Gloucestershire County Council, report a pothole: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/roads/your-highways-report-it/
Litter Picks
https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/media/0g0l5x4f/community-clean-up-guidance.pdfTraditionally litter picks are held in April or September, before and after the verges are overgrown. I have hi-vis vests, gloves and pickers if you need them and would love to come and help you with your community litter pick. When your pick is done. Please label filled litter bags with a CDC Litter Pick Sticker (I can get some for you) and leave in a sensible position (easy for lorry collection) and report with a the precise location to Cotswold District Council on 01285 623123 or email: cdc@cotswold.gov.uk.
Toolkit for Builders, Architects and Homeowners
This new toolkit provides guidelines to make for zero-carbon homes in Cotswold District Cotswold District Council has joined forces with Forest of Dean and West Oxfordshire District Councils to develop an innovative zero-carbon homes toolkit, showing builders, architects, developers and homeowners how to make new build or retrofit projects ‘green to the core’ as the Council pushes forward with plans to help make the district carbon neutral.
Toolkit pdf
TREES
Are you a landowner who can help by providing land to plant trees? Contact the county council’s climate change team by emailing glosclimate@gloucestershire.gov.uk
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershire-county-council-news/news-septe mber-2021/open-call-for-land-trees-need-you/
“What we need now is to work with landowners to put the right trees in the right places as quickly as possible. We want to be at the forefront of this initiative nationally which is why we support the Local Nature Partnership’s aim to increase Gloucestershire’s tree and woodland coverage.” Cllr David Gray
FLY TIPPING
Fly-tipping of any kind is a criminal offence and a blight on our beautiful district. We have an exemplary officer in Kev Lea who works with other agencies to crack down on fly tipping. CDC will use its powers of enforcement where possible, either through the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice or through a prosecution. Local Police teams have been invaluable in helping to crack down on environmental crime and all residents are urged to report any and all environmental crimes they witness as a matter of urgency. Please report on the CDC website: cotswold.gov.uk/flytipping. Everyone has a legal 'duty of care' to ensure your household or business waste is
disposed of correctly. If fly-tipping is traced back to someone, a £400 fixed penalty will be issued.
Fly-tipping is the illegal deposit of waste onto land. This causes a significant blight on the local environment and is often a source of pollution, which can endanger public health and wildlife.
● Fly-tipping is ILLEGAL.
● There is no excuse for fly-tipping.
● We ALL pay for fly-tipping as it costs the District Council to clear waste dumped on council-owned land.
● Dumped waste not only looks unpleasant, but it can also seriously damage land, pollute water and endanger wildlife.
● Fly tipped waste can also affect the reputation of our villages, and towns and can be hazardous to human health.
● Offenders can be fined up to £50,000 or 12 months imprisonment if convicted in a Magistrates’ Court. This can be increased to an unlimited fine and up to 5 years imprisonment if convicted in a Crown Court. You can report fly-tipping to the Council, by completing an online form. For more information about how you can prevent fly-tipping and what to do with your household waste, visit our website: cotswold.gov.uk/flytipping.
COVID VACCINE
Bingham Hall in Cirencester is holding a drop-in #CovidVaccine centre for those aged 16 and over on Wednesday 6th October, 9am - 1:30pm. You can get your first or second dose of the Pfizer vaccine and there's no need to book,
UBICO
Ubico has taken delivery of its first hybrid works vehicle. They have also won the contract to collect waste for Gloucester City. Refuse, recycling and street cleaning services policy
