Planting for Podsmead

Good news for the environment in that every city councillor in Gloucester is being given an allocation of up to 300 trees to plant in their wards.

This will be done over the next two planting seasons and is an aspiration not a quota. Clearly, some councillors with limited open space in their wards will struggle to fulfil this – but any extra trees are a bonus.

The planting locations will be supervised and signed off by the city council’s tree officer. Whilst we have lots of open space in Podsmead, we need to be very careful in where we plant to avoid storing up problems for the future.

That’s why I’m keen to hear from residents on where they think the trees should be planted. Residents and residents groups will hopefully be able to help with the planting and watering of the young trees, and I’ve already had a positive response from Podsmead Big Local on this initiative, and some great suggestions from panel members.

Trees are a vital part of the fight against climate change. They provide air quality, shade, and they look great. This scheme, carefully managed, could really help the city and our communities.

If you have ideas for tree planting locations, or if you want to offer to help, do please get in touch.

Save our Sainsbury’s

The leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats has written to the Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s to urge him to save the Northgate Street store in Gloucester.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton has written to Simon Roberts, urging a solution, and the Gloucester Lib Dems have also set up a petition.

A motion on saving Sainsbury’s in the name of the Lib Dem group will be debated by the city council at the next city council meeting later this month.

You can find more details of this campaign on the Gloucester Liberal Democrat website.

The Northgate Sainsbury’s store is well used by local residents and serves an important need in the city. We must Save our Sainsbury’s!

Recent examples of local action

Here are some recent examples of issues I’ve asked to be fixed in Podsmead.

The sign in Shakespeare Avenue was partially obscured so I asked the city council to clear the foliage.

At the other end of Shakespeare Avenue was a damaged patch of pavement which I requested be repaired by Highways.

The street sign at Caesar Road is part of a batch of signs in poor repair in the business estate off Bristol Road.

I have been in regular communication with the officer at the council who deals with these and am promised more will be replaced very soon.

If you know of an issue that needs fixing in Podsmead please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Missing Cat

Luna the cat has been missing for seven days now.

She went missing from Manu Marble way off Tuffley Cresent GL1 5QZ. Please can anyone in the area check their gardens, sheds and garages.

Please call 07939934832 with any information.

There is a £100 reward for her safe return.

Podsmead Regeneration Consultation Event Cancelled

PODSMEAD REGENERATION CONSULTATION CANCELLED

Gloucester City Homes have unfortunately had to cancel the planned consultation event in September.

It was felt by the leadership team that in light of the recent government announcement on groups, it was not right to proceed in the circumstances. Alternatives were debated but in the end the decision was made to cancel.

Whilst we want this project to proceed as quickly as is possible, in the light of Covid we will have to accept some delays.

I am adamant about two things:

Firstly that this will be a hugely beneficial project for Podsmead and the city of Gloucester.

Secondly that resident feedback and consultation must be a central part of the process and that without this it is not right to proceed at the previous pace.

There will still be online tools such as the video, and GCH will also be displaying the appropriate exhibition boards relating to each proposed Phase 1 development, redevelopment and park site in the soon to be erected community information notice boards on each of the proposed sites.

You can also view the latest information at http://shapethefutureglos.co.uk

I will update residents via this page as to next steps and news of any events that can be scheduled. I would guess that these will be in the new year.

If anybody has questions please let me know.

Charter Day

September 2nd was charter day.

On this date in 1483 King Richard III granted the city of Gloucester a charter which gave us certain rights, including setting out how Mayors were elected.

Richard III was a friend to Gloucester since his time as Duke of Gloucester, and visited the city during his summer progress in 1483, the year he became King.

In previous years we have celebrated this anniversary as a group of current and former civics, including on the occasion pictured below in 2016 when my immediate successor Neil Hampson was the Mayor.

Obviously we cannot meet this year but hopefully we can commemorate the date and King Richard’s legacy on some future occasion.