Parish Council Annual Meeting
This took place on Monday and Cllr Mike Stayte has now been voted in as Chairman, with Cllr John Cullimore continuing as Vice Chairman. Two new Cllrs have started – Steve Tilley and Caroline Tatham, and all Cllrs have been allocated roles which can be seen on the Parish Council website. There are also two new District Cllrs – Charlie Tuffin and Paul Turner, with Cllr Lindsey Green being voted in again.

Solar Farm Community Fund
Each year we ask for a new parishioner to be on the panel for up to 3 years which involves one meeting a year and reviewing the applications that we have come in. If you would like to be put forward for this role, names will be drawn out of a hat at the next Parish Council meeting for those that express an interest. Please send an e-mail to the Clerk.

Abandoned bike?
an abandoned bike has been found on St Johns Road. This is being kept at a Cllr’s house, if you think it is yours or know who’s it might be, then please drop me an e-mail or phone call.

Dog fouling
It has been bought to our attention that dog bags have been being left on the floor by bins. Please either ensure the waste goes in the bins or take it home. If the bins are full / overflowing they can be reported to Stroud District Council on recycling@stroud.gov.uk

Footpath working group volunteers.
With the vegetation growing up fast now, we could always do with more footpath working group volunteers. Please get in touch if you are interested.

Roadworks
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF A1435 SLIMBRIDGE CROSSROADS TO DRAYCOTT (CAM PARISH) STROUD DISTRICT
Gloucestershire County Council, as traffic authority, intends to make an Order under the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) to temporarily close part of the A1435 from Slimbridge Crossroads to Draycott from its junction with Bristol Road to its junction with High Street for a distance of approximately 3220 metres.
The reason for the said closure is to carry out carriageway maintenance works. The said road is expected to be closed from 3rd June 2024 to 7th June 2024 only.
For further information, please contact Gloucestershire Highways on 08000 514 514 or visit www.gloucestershire.gov.uk
Alternative Route – as signed on site
Emergency access and pedestrian access, will not be maintained for safety reasons as there will be deep excavations and machinery in use.

I have asked for further information on this, and so far have been informed that “The closure will take place of a night-time only. There will also be 2-way traffic lights over the railway bridge during the daytime.”

Notice of Election – Slimbridge

Notice of Election – District

2024 PCC Notice of Submission of Election Addresses

2024 PCC Notice of Election

Elections and Parish News

Elections
Could you be a Councillor?
Are you passionate about your community and want to make a change to help improve residents’ lives. Do you want to be part of Parish projects and make decisions on the future of the parish?
If you want to make a change in Slimbridge  – simply contact the Parish Clerk for more details and a nomination pack.

Come along to the next Parish Council meeting on Monday 18th March (7.30pm in the Village Hall) to see what happens and how things work.

For further information on the role of being a Councillor, please go to www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections/becoming-a-councillor
To stand as a prospective Councillor, you will need to complete a nomination paper. Nomination papers for Town/Parish elections can be collected from either the Parish Clerk or from Stroud District Council and District Council Nomination papers are available to collect from Stroud District Council Offices.
Nomination papers must be delivered by hand to Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud, GL5 4UB between 10am and 4pm from Tuesday 19 March 2024 – Friday 5 April 2024.

Parish News
The Annual Parish Meeting will be taking place on Monday 8th April in the Village Hall, please do come along to see what your Councillors have achieved over the last year and what they aim to do in the coming year. Unfortunately we won’t be able to serve refreshments this year due the Village hall kitchen being refurbished.
The faculty for the restoration works on the listed tombstones in St Johns Church yard is continuing and grants are being applied for to carry out the works. Do you have any history on the tombstones, are you related to any of those buried within these tombs. Please do contact the Parish Clerk if you have any interesting information that we cold include as part of this project. Information on the restoration project can be found on the Parish Council website.
The Parish Council have now placed an order to have the drains repaired on the Playing Field car park, this will take place over the summer holidays, so hopefully this will now alleviate the flooding coming off the field by taking it back into the culvert. More information will come on this as we will have to close off some of the car park when works take place.
It has been noted the amount of fly tipping we are getting in certain places in the parish and these are always reported to Stroud District Council. SDC have now erected a sign in Dursley Road and also installed bin covers on the wheelie bins on the A38 layby

Parish News

Good morning

Elections
For those who are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, I will be collecting nomination packs tomorrow from Stroud. Please do get in touch if you want to have a chat about the role of Parish Councillor and if you would like a nomination pack to stand.
Prospective candidates who are interested in standing as a District and/or Parish/Town Councillor must submit a nomination paper by hand to the Returning Officer at Stroud District Council, Ebley Mill, Ebley Wharf, Stroud, GL5 4UB between 10am and 4pm from Tuesday 19 March 2024 – Friday 5 April 2024

If you have changed address recently or if you are not sure if you are registered to vote you can register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Registering only takes a few minutes, you will need your national insurance number to complete the registration. If you are not registered, you cannot vote in any upcoming elections. Additionally, did you know that by not being registered it can also impact your credit score? Remember you are now also required to present photo ID at the polling station. More information on Voter ID can be found on Stroud District Councils’ website including how to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate if you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID. For enquiries, please email elections@stroud.gov.uk or call 01453 766321.

Police alerts
We are currently being hit with Rogue Traders in the area and ask you to contact Police on 101 if you receive such visits.
We have 3 different traders approaching residents.
The 1st trader involves asking people if they want their roofs cleaned, they particularly pick on vulnerable & often elderly people.
We have one victim in the Stone area who parted with £4600 for a jet wash and we have since discovered that other residents in the area also parted with money.  All we know is that it is a group of younger males with Irish accents using a grey van.
The 2nd trader involves a group of males using the trade name of Marshalls Driveways, they approach properties asking if owners would like driveways replaced.  One victim in the Slimbridge area agreed to have his driveway replaced, the quality of work was not good at all and very unprofessional. He complained and was made to feel very intimidated with a very aggressive male, again with an Irish accent.
The 3rd rogue trader, we have reported on recently.  A group of 3 males who we believe are all from the same family put leaflets through doors asking for unwanted jewellery or antique items, they quickly return asking for their leaflets back.  Again they are aggressive in nature.  We have one victim in the Berkeley area who invited one of these males into her property only to discover that some of her beloved items had gone missing.
If you have any further information on these traders, please contact PCSO Mike Trebble Michael.Trebble@gloucestershire.police.uk

Kind regards
Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk
07943 894637

February Roadworks

Good afternoon,

Please see the below attached correspondence which gives warning of dates for roadworks by Gigaclear to be taking place at the end of February in Longaston Lane and Kingston Road (closures). I have asked that I be sent information to be kept updated and I have asked that they get in touch with businesses by the canal to liaise to ensure the works can be done with the lease disruption.
Gigaclear Roadworks

Kind regards
Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk
07943 894637

2024 is elections year, taking place on May 2^nd. If you are interested in becoming a Parish Councillor, I will have nomination packs towards the end of February, so do get in touch if you wish to be part of the Parish Council representing views and making decisions in the future of the Community. There will be lots of information coming out, if you would like to receive e-mails, please sign up to them from the Parish Council website, or contact myself.
Just before Christmas the Parish Council purchased new picnic tables for the playing field, now installed and ready for summer picnics.
The Parish Council has a new logo, designed by Ruth Taylor, (see at the top of this e-mail!) this should soon be in place on all our headed paper.
The Pavilion has had some new tables and chairs and more will be coming soon. We will need to get rid of the old wooden / metal chairs, so if anyone can make use of them, please contact me.
The Parish Council have set the precept for 2024/25 with an increase of just over 7% which equates to £9.94 increase per year based on a Band D property (83pence per month / 19pence per week).
The projects the Parish Council are looking at this year are the Pavilion water and heating replacement, renewing the Village entrance signs to remove the ‘Twinning’ element, drainage on the playing field car park and new Biodiversity projects (this is new legislation which we have to accommodate). The Biodiversity policies require audits of what the parish has, and how we can increase biodiversity – this could be planting more wildflowers, creating wildlife corridors, bird and bat boxes. If you wish to be involved in any of this or have skills that would enable us to put together an audit of the parish, please get in touch. We should be getting more information from what is required from Stroud District Council in the coming months, and I will send updates on how to be involved.
Ongoing projects of 20mph and restoration of the 24 listed tombs in the churchyard are also continuing, the Faculty application has now been put up, and funding will be applied for too.
The Battery Storage application is now likely to go to Development Control Committee around April time (a small chance for February, but planning officers have indicated this is unlikely). For those wishing to go to DCC, there are procedures to follow and very limited times to speak, so if for example residents wish to speak, it would be worth forming a group and having one representative speak on behalf of everyone.
The recent police event at the coffee morning was successful with a number of bikes and scooters being marked up.
And lastly the Inspector has now signed off the Neighbourhood Development Plan (available on the website); the next stages are going to SDC Environment Committee and hopefully being up for referendum at the same time the elections take place.

Good morning and Happy New Year to everyone.

Slimbridge Coffee Morning and Bike / Scooter bike marking event
This Saturday (6th January) is Slimbridge Coffee morning, raising money for Gloucester City Mission. Starting at 10.30am in the Village Hall. The police will also be in attendance with the Community Engagement Vehicle and equipment to mark all those new bikes and scooters you may have had for Christmas, as long as they have a baked painted finish for the permanent etching. Please do come along to this community event.

Elections
This is going to be a popular thread of information in the coming months as there is District wide elections for the Parish, District and Police and Crime Commissioner. Slimbridge Parish is also waiting to see if the Neighbourhood Plan will go to referendum at the same time. I will be putting out information from Stroud District Council on the elections and I am also happy to chat to anyone who may be interested in becoming a Parish Councillor to discuss the role.

Voter ID required for voting:

Stroud’s next scheduled elections are taking place on Thursday 2 May 2024 and electors will now be required to present photo ID at the polling station before a ballot paper can be issued. Here’s all you need to know about Voter ID:
• The full list of the accepted forms of photo ID can be found on the Electoral Commissions website https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voting-and-elections/voter-id/accepted-forms-photo-id
• Only original copies of documents can be presented in the polling station.
• The photo ID can be expired as long as the photo still resembles you.
• Postal voters will not need to present photo ID.
• If a proxy votes on your behalf at the polling station they will be asked to show their photo ID. Your proxy will not be asked to show any ID in your name.
• If you do not have an acceptable form of photo ID, you can apply for a free of charge Voter Authority Certificate at www.gov.uk/apply-for-photo-id-voter-authority-certificate. Make sure you have applied by Wednesday 24 April 2024.
For more information on Voter ID, please go to Stroud District Councils’ website https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/elections
For enquiries, please email elections@stroud.gov.uk or call 01453 766321

Kind regards
Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk

Parish News

Good morning,

The recent responses from the Pop-up café have been received, and with only 6 responses (3 in favour of it starting back up and 3 not), it has been decided not to run the Pop-up café for this winter. If there is more of demand next year, this is something we could look at again. Thank you to those who gave feedback.

To start off the new year, will be the coffee morning on Saturday 6th January from 10.30 in aid of Gloucester City Mission. The police will be in attendance with the  Engagement vehicle and they will also be marking bikes and scooters (as long as they have a baked painted finish for the permanent etching); so all those brand new bikes from Santa can be marked!

The Parish Council Office will be closed over Christmas from Friday 22nd December – Tuesday 2nd January, so I will respond to any communications from the 2nd.
The Parish Council are looking forward to a number of projects in the coming year including drainage on the playing field car park, upgrades to the Pavilion water / heating system, and preserving the listed tombstones in the Churchyard. And of course it is the elections in May, so if you feel you are able to represent the community and its views, and wish to be part of the decision making in the parish, please consider becoming a Parish Councillor. Myself and other Cllrs would be happy to speak to you about the role if you are interested. More information will come out in the new year.

Finally, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Parish News

Good afternoon, this is a long e-mail with lots of information, so grab yourself a cuppa and biscuit!

Parish News 
Did you know there are 24 listed tombs in the St Johns Churchyard, some of them are in a state of disrepair and have been fenced off. Slimbridge Parish Council (SPC) are looking into having them restored to preserve the history in the parish, by going for grant funding through the National Heritage Lottery. SPC will be applying for a faculty and putting together the project and keeping the community updated on this as it progresses.
The police did a recent speed survey on the A38 where two vehicles were caught speeding and will be getting letters.
SPC currently undertook a survey of the culvert along St Johns Road, and will now begin looking at fixing the drainage on the Legion car park to help alleviate flooding.
The Neighbourhood Development Plan’s latest consultation has come to an end and the plan is now with the Inspector.
SPC own the pavilion on the playing field and are looking at its future use to make it more available for the community; one of the projects is to be looking at the water and heating to have it upgraded, and the Parish Council have been successful in securing funds for new tables and chairs which will be purchased soon. Do you have any comments on what you would like to see it used for alongside the sporting activities of cricket and football use?
SPC have to look at new Biodiversity Policies that are coming into legislation in 2024, and will be looking at what projects could be done to encourage this in the parish; the initial draft policy will be available to view on the website soon and will be a continuing working document.
The latest on the Battery Storage application is that it will be going to Development Control Committee in January, and SPC are due to contact the MP on the lack of national policies for battery storage within the planning framework.
Fly tipping has become more of an issue lately, if you see any you can report this directly to Stroud District Council via their website on  Report fly-tipping/dumped litter | Stroud District Council

Police bike marking event after Christmas
The Police will be attending the coffee morning on January 6^th and will have bike marking equipment to mark up all new bikes, and hopefully scooters. The Police engagement vehicle is hopefully being booked too to be on site at the Village Hall. Further information will come out on e-mails (sign up via the Parish Council website if you wish to receive them), and on Facebook.

Slimbridge Pop-up Café
As I am sure many of you are aware last winter, we ran a Pop-up Café in the village hall. This was for around 3 hours on a Friday. This was set up as drinks – Tea/Coffee etc and cake on a “pay what you can” basis.
This worked well for a few weeks with some early dates having up to 20 attendees, however this tailed off and were down to much smaller numbers that were unsustainable.
We are considering restarting the sessions this winter and are looking for some indication of whether people would attend.
To gauge interest, please let me know if you would be interested in attending these sessions.

• How often might you come – every week, fortnightly, every few weeks?
• Which day of the week is best for you?
• Would you be interested in a simple lunch offering if it were available – soup and roll?
• If the Cafe runs, would you be interested in volunteering to help and/or make cakes etc. If so, please give your name and email address,

Please respond either by using the Survey here – https://tinyurl.com/2023SBCafe
Or email me directly cllr.alex.durkin@slimbridge-pc.gov.uk

Slimbridge Coffee morning
Thank-you everyone for supporting November Coffee morning we made over £430 pounds for HELP for HEROES.
The next coffee morning on Dec 2nd in the village hall will be a Christmas Market starting at 10am – 2.00pm in aid of St Johns Church
As well as the usual produce stall we have Bric a Brac, Crafts, and Xmas Stalls, Cards, Pictures and Fruit Juices.
Coffee will be served with mince pies from 10am.
Homemade  Soup & bread roll will be available from 11-30am @ £3-50p.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
_____________________________
A Plea:
Do you have time to help us, one Saturday morning each month?
It`s for our Church Coffee Morning, where we make money for a different Charity every month. Help includes serving coffees, washing up, making cakes etc., or doing the advertising posters. We would like to hear from you.
Please ring-
Pat Cope         01453 890 517
Pamela Storey  01453 899 828
Sue Ellis           01453 890 493
Thank-you !

Elections
Whilst we are all busy thinking about Christmas, it won’t be long before the Elections are upon us in May 2024, and Slimbridge Parish Council will be up for election. Do you fancy being a voice for your parish and being involved in decisions, representing the electorate. If you think this might be for you, there is information on the Parish Council website on being a Councillor and the Clerk would be happy to talk to you about the role too.  Being a Parish Councillor – Slimbridge Parish Council (slimbridge-pc.gov.uk)

Recycle your Christmas Tree with Longfield
Get organised and book your Christmas tree collection before you’ve even cooked the turkey.
For a voluntary donation, you’ll get your tree whisked away by Longfield’s team of volunteers and taken to recycling sites where it will be chipped into mulch, then scattered on pathways and car parks at Painswick Rococo Garden.
Last year, Longfield collected 3,000 trees from the Stroud, Cirencester and Gloucester districts in just three days, and raised nearly £50,000 for essential hospice care. This year, they’re aiming to beat last year’s record – costs of care are rising and they need every penny to provide free hospice care for dying people and their families, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Check whether Longfield can collect from your postcode and book your collection at www.just-helping.org.uk/register-tree.
Longfield couldn’t run this scheme without the support of dozens of local businesses and volunteers who donate vans and drivers during the collection period.
If you can volunteer your time or a van, or both, for a day or more between 13^th to 16^th January, please contact Longfield at events@longfield.org.uk or 01453 886868
Also coming Up….
10^th December, Minchinhampton – Light Up A Life memorial celebration
24^th February, Stroud – Ale Amble four mile circular walk

Stroud Neighbourhood Police are now on Facebook
We are writing to invite you to follow our new Stroud Neighbourhood Police Facebook page. We know how useful local Facebook groups and community pages can be, so we wanted to ensure you’re being updated in the most useful way possible.
We will still be sending out timely alerts to users registered in Stroud on this platform, but if you are on Facebook you may find the content on the new page to be useful and informative.
To follow the page visit Facebook
Stroud Neighbourhood Policing team

Kind regards
Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk

Parish News

Coffee morning
Saturday 4th November at Slimbridge Village hall raising funds for Help the Heroes. 10 – 12noon.

General
The Parish Council have arranged for a survey of the culvert in St Johns Road which will happen this Friday (3rd November), so there may be some disruption during the day at the Legion car park where the main works will be carried out. This will hopefully assess the condition of the culvert and allow the Parish Council to then consider their options for the drainage on the car park to help alleviate flooding waters coming off the playing field in bad weather.
The Parish Council have spoken with Highways and the Police about speeding on the A38 and it is believed the police have carried out a speed camera session; Highways have also been asked for pedestrian signs to be located on the A38 near the school crossing, and the Clerk has been following these up as a ticket was raised for this job by Highways back in June but not yet done.
The Parish Council have objected to the most recent battery farm application, and if SDC Officers are minded to permit this, it will go to the Development Control Committee first.
The Parish Council have recieved some logo examples for the parish, if you would like to submit a design for consideration, please send to the Parish Clerk by the end of November for Cllrs to review and make a final decision in January.