There is a consultation event in Podsmead to hear residents’ views on the proposed regeneration.

This is an opportunity to give your views and to shape the process.

See Robinswood Hill in a unique way with spheres of light and music as ‘Globoscope’ comes to town. As part of the City Council’s ‘Bright Nights’ events, you can visit your local country park on the doorstep of Gloucester and learn about nocturnal wildlife whilst you’re here.

Firepits will keep you warm and the café is open for hot drinks and treats. 

This event is free, but now booking is required due to popular demand: https://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/events/2021-11-26-globoscope-travelling-light-show

I have recently helped residents report some faulty street lights to the county council.

If you have see a faulty street light in our area you can report it to streetlightingenquiries@gloucestershire.gov.uk, or via this form:

Report-IT website – https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/roads/your-highways-report-it/

The form is the best way to report issues as it ensures an enquiry number is allocated. This helps to trace the work undertaken and any challenges.

Or, you can let me know about the issue and I’ll be happy to pass on your report.

I saw a report of a broken street light in Newark Road Podsmead and I contacted the street lighting department at the county council, just to make sure it has been received and actioned.

If it hasn’t been fixed yet I hope it will be done soon. If you know of any other damaged or broken street lights in our area please let me know.

I have written to the city council to request that leaves be cleared from various roads in Podsmead such as Tuffley Avenue and Milton Avenue.

I have requested to see the leaf clearance schedule so I can report back on when all the leaves will be cleared.

We need to keep leaves out of the drains and gutters in our area as if they get blocked with leaf debris, it can increase flooding problems when it rains.

If you know of any areas that need leaf clearance, please let me know.

The city council have written to Matthew Homes this week to begin the process of adopting the play areas at Earls Park.

Although the process can take some time, up to 18 months, I hope that in this case it can be achieved more quickly.

Matthew Homes will be responsible for the maintenance of the sites, including emptying the litter bins, until they are adopted.

After a resident contacted me to query why a new litter bin was installed near to one that is already available, I asked a written question of the cabinet member.

The answer confirms that the bin was not meant to be installed there.

I have now asked to see the complete bin installation plan for Podsmead and I hope to hear back this week on that issue.

Gloucester like many cities and towns has a number of small businesses, providing goods, services and employment to local people.

The Liberal Democrat group are calling on Gloucester City Council to support Small Business Saturday on December 4th.

Below is the text of the motion we will be proposing at full council on Thursday 18th November.

Liberal Democrat Group – Motion on Small Business Saturday

Council notes that Small Business Saturday 2021 is coming up on 4th December. Small Business Saturday has grown into a significant event – with a record £1.1 billion spent with small businesses during last year’s event.

Council recognises that this is an excellent opportunity to promote small businesses in Gloucester and to celebrate the contribution smaller businesses make to our city.
Council believes that Small Businesses are the heart and soul of our local high streets. It is only by supporting our local independent businesses that we can also help our local high streets to thrive.

Council resolves to:
(a) Ask the Leader of the Council to ensure that the Council participates fully in Small Business Saturday on 4th December 2021.
(b) Request that officers work closely with local business organisations and smaller enterprises across Gloucester to make them aware of the day and encourage them to sign up.
(c) Ensure that Small Business Saturday is promoted thoroughly and prominently on the Council’s website, social media channels and other external communications.
(d) Develop a year round communications plan to continue promoting local small businesses and encouraging residents in Gloucester to shop small and shop local all year round.
(e) Investigate further ways to increase shopper numbers around Small Business Saturday and in the lead up to Christmas – such as free car parking in the city centre on busy shopping days – and establish a regular programme of measures to support small businesses.

Here are my latest written questions and answers for full council next week. I can ask supplementary questions on the night.

A campaign is being launched to encourage residents to waste less over the festive season to help make it a #greenerchristmas.

Gloucestershire County Council’s waste team, in partnership with district councils, is asking people to make ‘greener’ choices this year to reduce the impact Christmas waste has on the environment.

The campaign will focus on four key areas – food waste, gifts, trees and traditional items such as advent calendars and Christmas crackers. The advice includes:

Food waste

Meal plan for Christmas – decide what meals and treats you are going to cook, write a list of the ingredients you need and then keep to that list when shopping. This will help to avoid buying extra food which may get wasted at home.
Make the most of your leftovers to save food from going to waste by trying some low waste recipes.
Buy local this year and plastic free where possible, to reduce single use plastic waste and your carbon footprint.

Gifts

£42 million of unwanted gifts are discarded in the UK every year, so buy presents thoughtfully and try to ensure they will be well received.
Why not gift something sustainable? Perhaps something for the garden to encourage home grown veg or more wildlife. And a tree is not just for Christmas!
Trees

Consider what is the most sustainable tree for you. Artificial trees have a higher carbon footprint than real trees, but if you keep an artificial tree for 10 years its carbon footprint would be less in the long-term.
If you go for a real tree, rentable ones are available which are already grown and potted for you to take home before returning after the festive period. If you choose a traditional cut tree, try to get one which is local and sustainably grown and dispose of it correctly after Christmas, via a tree collection or your garden waste bin if allowed by your district council.
Traditional items

More sustainable, recyclable and reusable options are available for traditional items such as advent calendars, crackers and home decorations.
You could make your own foraged door wreath, get a reusable advent calendar or make your own, and opt for plastic free or recyclable Christmas crackers.

You can find out more about the campaign by visiting www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gloucestershire-recycles/reduce/greener-christmas and looking out for #greenerchristmas on social media.