I am calling on the city council to replace the rubbish and dog waste bin at Milton Avenue.

The public waste bin has a mismatched lid which doesn’t fit properly, and the dog waste bin is rusted through and not fit for purpose.

They need repairing or replacing ASAP.

Do let me know if you spot a bin that needs action.

I contacted the council about the litter over the bridge, opposite Ashville Road.

As a resident has pointed out, it tends to collect in the hedges as the wind blows it.

I requested a litter pick which has been done, but I am also calling on the council to find a solution at this location.

A message from Dame Janet Trotter:

I wanted to make you aware of a special event happening in Gloucestershire on Thursday 1 April at 12pm. At midday, my colleagues and I on the Child Friendly Coalition Board will be making as much noise as possible to show our appreciation to our children and young people.

Recently I was struck that as adults, many of us have not said ’thank you’ to our children and young people for all they have done and sacrificed during the past year. This is a chance to change that.

We are asking those who are still in school to take just a minute to thank their pupils and ask the children to give themselves a round of applause. Please do not attend the schools, I ask that you take to your doorsteps and make as much noise as possible.

We have Clapped for our Carers. We have Clapped to celebrate the life of Captain Sir Tom Moore. Now we ask that you Clap for our Children.

Best wishes
Dame Janet Trotter
Chair of Child Friendly Gloucestershire

You can find details of your Podsmead police team here. I work regularly with them to keep our area safe and secure.

If you have information relating to a crime you can log this with 101. In an emergency, dial 999.

If you are changing clocks and perhaps batteries in your household because of the hour change at the weekend, it could be a good opportunity to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can save your loved ones’ lives as well as your own. Early detection of fires saves lives and can reduce damage to house and contents. Statistics show that fewer deaths or serious injuries occur in households where smoke alarms are installed and maintained. You can find further information on these lifesaving devices from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue here.

Don’t forget – the clocks go forward an hour tonight!

We lose an hour’s sleep, but it will mean the evenings are lighter.

It is seen by many as one of the signs of spring coming.

A lot of modern devices like smartphones will add the hour automatically. But for traditional clocks and watches, and some digital clocks, you will need to adjust them yourselves (or wait six months!)

Podsmead-based cleaning company Into Cleaning have offered free window cleaning to Gloucester city centre business to help them prepare for reopening after Covid.

Simon Payne said: ‘I have offered free window cleaning to our Gloucester city centre small businesses in preparation for them opening after covid 19.’

‘Over the last few days I have been speaking on Radio Gloucestershire about how we can help the small businesses of Gloucester’.

If you run a small business and would like to speak about this offer, please contact Into Cleaning or email simon@intocleaning.co.uk.

There has been some fly-tipping, littering and graffiti in the area off Cole Avenue.

The walk from Cole Avenue to New Dawn and Stroud Road takes you along the railway line and is surprisingly quiet considering it is next to a busy main road.

This might be why people feel they can fly-tip without being noticed. There is a lot of littering and fly-tipping under the bridge, as well as some graffiti.

I have reported all these matters to the council and urged them to get them cleared. I have also begun sounding out community groups and the council about making improvements to the area and keeping it tidy.

I have already had positive offers, and have approached the Crypt School, whose boundary is right along this pathway. I’ve also asked the council about planting more trees and hedges here to develop and encourage biodiversity.

The county council has committed extra funding to protect children from going hungry during the school holidays as a result of the COVID lockdown; eligible families who haven’t registered should visit the apply for free school meals page. Gloucestershire families in receipt of free school meals will be able to claim vouchers for both weeks of the holidays.

This is in addition to the Department for Education Holiday Activity Support already in place for the first week on the holidays. Families will still be entitled to this support, which includes meal packs and activities, but the council will now provide two weeks additional vouchers as well.

Families who previously registered their details for holiday Free School Meals vouchers will automatically receive them this time.

Those who have registered for the Holiday Activity Fund scheme will still receive their home food kits and access to activities for the first week of the holidays, as planned.

Eligible families will need to be registered by 5pm Monday, 29^th March in order for vouchers to be processed in time for the end of term. Vouchers will be sent via email.

If you cannot access information online or have any questions relating to the scheme, call 01452 426165 (during office hours, 9am-5pm) or alternatively e-mail childrensfund@gloucestershire.gov.uk.

If you have a Post Office Card Account (POca) for your state pension, benefit or tax credit payments, an important change is coming in November 2021.

A POca is a special type of account you can only get from the Post Office for automated government payments. It is different from other Post Office accounts which will still be in existence.

From November the POca accounts will be closed and you will need to use a different means to have your money paid in.

You will still be able to get your payments but you will need to use a different account to withdraw your money.

The DWP will be writing to all affected in the coming months, but if you are worried and want to learn more now, you can find advice here.

And this guide from the Post Office gives advice on switching to alternative accounts.

The important thing is not to worry – there is plenty of time to act. But if you need help for any reason, I am always happy to assist. Please contact me for help.

You might also have neighbours, friends or family who can assist you if you are having difficulty with anything.