Did you know that the city council will supply you with bags, pickers and other equipment if you want to volunteer as a litter picker or set up a litter picking group in your community?
Information about how to sign up and get equipment, training and safety briefings is on the city council website here.
The council’s register to vote service is available again following the cyber incident in December last year and all waiting applications have already been dealt with. The city’s postal voters are now being asked to reapply to ensure that they can continue to vote by post.
Following the cyber incident the electoral register has been recovered, but the council has not been able to recover postal vote applications that were previously submitted by voters.
The council is now writing to every postal voter asking them to fill in an application form included with the letter and return it in the pre-paid envelope. Any queries should be sent to elections@gloucester.gov.uk.
Since the cyber incident the majority of the council’s services that were affected have been restored including the ‘Report It’ service that allows issues to be reported like fly-tipping or overgrown vegetation.
The Local Land Charge system that is used to carry out searches for prospective homeowners was restored in June.
Jon McGinty, Returning Officer for Gloucester City Council, said: “We apologise for the inconvenience to voters but we would urge them not to delay in returning their new postal vote application form so that we can make sure they can continue to vote by post at future elections.”
Gloucester City Council has announced a bid for £12.5 million of Levelling Up Funding for an ambitious new scheme to transform the area around the Eastgate Shopping Centre into a vibrant new garden quarter.
The plans for the Greyfriars Quarter will see part of the shopping centre including the market hall refurbished and repurposed and spaces constructed for community activities, a new market and foodhall, as well as a park and gardens, all set within the grounds of the 13th century Greyfriars monastery.
If successful, the bid would enable the market hall to be relocated to another part of the Eastgate Shopping centre, with a contemporary new design that would see it open up onto a landscaped courtyard garden
The current market hall would be revamped to house a multi-purpose performance space for dance, music, fitness, cinema, community and leisure events.
It would be linked to a unique covered outdoor space with an orangery and outdoor dining area within the remains of the beautiful Greyfriars Monastery.
The plan also includes a proposal to create serviced apartments, providing a unique place to stay and the creation of flexible workspaces within the refurbished 18th century house adjacent to the friary.
The exciting new scheme would also see the construction of a new urban park, outdoor gym, play area and cycle hub.
The bid follows the council’s previous successful bid to the Government’s Levelling Up fund last year, which saw it successfully granted £20 million.
It will enable the redevelopment of the University of Gloucestershire City Centre Campus in the former Debenhams, the renovation of the Fleece Hotel and creation of The Forge, a digital hub aimed at the cyber and knowledge economy as part of the £107 Forum development.
The bid is also in addition to the £1.5m UK Shared Prosperity Fund allocation to the city, which will be primarily used to support communities and place around the wider city area.
I have been sorry to see multiple reports of thefts in the last 24 hours, in Manu Marble Way and Thornhill Close.
I would urge all residents to be vigilant and lock up as much as possible.
Any thefts or sightings of intruders should be reported to the police on 101@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk, or by contacting our local PCSO Suzanne Sexton on Suzanne.Sexton@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk.
If anyone in Podsmead is interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, please contact Bob Lloyd on Bob.Lloyd@gloucestershire.pnn.police.uk or call 01452 752086. Members of the Neighbourhood Policing Team will also be able to answer any of your questions.
I am always happy to facilitate meetings between residents and the police, or to help to secure funding for safety and security projects.
I spotted this damaged street sign while out and about and have reported it to the council for rectifying.
If you spot any other issues with street signs in Podsmead do let me know.
Visitors to Gloucester are invited to take a moment to stop and enjoy the greenery at a new pop up ‘parklet’ on Westgate Street and give their views on the exciting new plans for the area.
The Cathedral Quarter High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) has installed the mini park complete with seating and seasonal plants to encourage feedback on proposals developed with local people.
The plans include more pocket parks complete with a variety of plants to attract pollinators, urban rooms where people can rest, relax and socialise, new lighting and art installations, plus more space for outdoor dining, improved paving and a play area.
HSHAZ is organised by Gloucester City Council and funded by Gloucester City Council, Historic England and Gloucestershire County Council.
It’s a heritage led regeneration scheme to improve the buildings and the street scene in the Westgate area supported by a programme of cultural activities.
The parklet also aims to support Visit Gloucester’s ‘Serenity in the City’ campaign which focuses on wellbeing and celebrates connecting people to the built environment and each other.
Give feedback on the plan online or visit the parklet and see the proposals in the window of 21 Westgate Street.
Nature Nurtures, a free weekly nature club is back ????
Join the team at Robinswood Hill Country Park for fun, hands-on activities to learn about and connect to wildlife and nature.
Learn foraging skills from an expert, create art from nature and take on team building challenges. Nature Nurtures sessions are designed to build confidence, team-working and boost self-esteem.
Contact Heather to find out more by calling 07485307204 or email heather.moore@gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk
Contact the team for eligibility details and to discuss booking. Sessions are free, though booking in advance is essential.
I have urged the council to replace the broken bench in Tuffley Park. We will hopefully be able to use some Section 106 funding to pay for a new one.
I have written to the senior managment at Matthew Homes to express my disappointment that urgent safety work in Earls Park (such as the fence pictured above) has not been carried out yet. Whilst I am pleased to see that the litter bins have been emptied now, they need to be emptied more frequently, and other maintenance in the parks needs to be carried out.
The two play parks in Earls Park were inspected by Gloucester City Council earlier this year, with a view to adopting them when complete. They are unfortunately a long way off, with dead trees, broken play equipment and poorly maintained paths. The council have written to Matthew Homes to remind them of what they need to complete.
It’s great to see this knitted art on Tuffley Avenue. It really lifts the spirits to see. Local community groups are responsible for this artwork. You generally get to see a new one every month. I always look forward to seeing the latest one!