For the meeting of Gloucester City Council next week I have tabled several written questions, as is my normal practice.

Here are the two questions I asked about e-scooters, with the answers from the cabinet member.

As with all written questions, I will have an opportunity to ask a supplementary verbal question on the night, if I wish to.

Here is a link to the full list of written questions submitted by members with the answers from cabinet members.

Please take care on Scott Avenue field if you’re out walking your dog or your children are playing in the park.

A resident alerted me to some litter which has got shredded when the field has been mowed. This is a problem in all the parks in the city, as litter will sometimes get into the machines as the grass gets cut.

I’ve written to the council’s parks manager to ask what can be done about this. In this case the bin was overflowing, so it’s not as simple as saying to people make sure you bin your rubbish (though we all should as much as we can).

During lockdown when people are out walking more frequently, bins get used more frequently and sometimes overflow. If possible, when out and about and the bin is full, it please take your litter home to recycle or throw.

A few months ago I requested works to the trees by the bridge over from Podsmead into Tuffley, that crosses Cole Avenue.

The trees have been trimmed back and this has cleared the bridge for pedestrians.

The photos show both ends of the bridge, before and after.

I have recently been in touch with Gloucester City Homes over several issues in Podsmead. We have agreed that these gas boxes at Halford House should be replaced and I am hoping that this can be done.

We also aim to get these supports repainted, weather allowing. I am grateful to GCH for their help on these recent issues in Podsmead.

Huge thanks to the Crypt School, who are kindly hosting a non-uniform day to raise money for our project at Poets’ Corner, Podsmead.

This will be held next Friday, 13th November.

Poets’ Corner was an empty unit on the ground floor of Halford House. I have been campaigning to get it brought back into use, and I’m delighted that this is now happening. Podsmead Big Local will be running food distribution from there, and we will be using the space for meetings and adult education, post-COVID.

The money from Crypt will really help to pay for equipment and storage food for the building.

After a resident contacted me, concerned about the safety of this gate from Shakespeare Avenue flats through to Byron Avenue, I spoke to officers at Gloucester City Homes to see what could be done.

I am delighted that GCH have agreed to install a keypad lock, which will improve safety and security. This will be done as part of day-to-day repairs on GCH properties in Podsmead.

I am grateful to council staff for cleaning the streetsign at Eliot Close at my urging.

During the second lockdown I will still be reporting issues and will walkabout the ward as usual, for my exercise. But if you have an issue that you would like to bring to my attention, please let me know.

If you or a neighbour are experiencing difficulties in affording food, doing your shopping or accessing online shopping, please get in touch and I can connect you with local help.

Gloucestshire’s Community Help Hub is still active and can be accessed here.

Podsmead Big Local are the hub for food services in Podsmead, and can be contacted via their website or on Facebook. There is also food available from Podsmead Residents’ Association at The Ramblers.

Though we are still awaiting the fine detail of the lockdown measures starting Thursday, we do know that essential shops (eg those selling food) will remain open during the lockdown. There is no need to panic buy food, medicine or loo roll.

Independent shops will only be open physically another couple of days, so now might be a good opportunity to stock up on gifts for Christmas or to treat yourself.

Many shops will be operating some sort of online shopping service, so if there are things you need that you can buy online for a small, local or independent shop, this will support jobs and keep those small businesses open a bit longer.

There is government support being made available to some businesses forced to close. Information about this can be viewed here. If I can help in any way, please get in touch.

When lockdown begins on Thursday, many local businesses will be forced to close as non-essential, or to carry on online as a mail-order/click and collect service.

Whilst big chains might be able to weather the storm by relying on reserves, small independent shops might struggle to hang on until December.

It’s really important that, when we can, we buy our takeaway food or coffee, books, gifts and anything else from independents. Big multinational corporations may sometimes be cheaper, but you know when you buy independent that the money is going directly to families and friends rather than to making even more profit for corporation shareholders and owners.

Over the course of lockdown I will be featuring local businesses on my social media.

If you would like me to promote your business, please get in touch, ideally with a photo and brief blurb about what you do and how to contact you.