We have good news – we have just been awarded £116,000 through the National Heritage Lottery to restore all 24 listed tombs in St Johns Church along with the railings and church gates. Please watch this space for some events on how you can come and see what is happening when the work begins. Information will also be in the church and on the Parish Council website as it progresses.

At the recent Parish Council meeting recycling was discussed and whether we should have recycling bins on the playing field – we would love your thoughts on this before we consider purchasing bins. Would you use them and encourage others to do so?

In the coming weeks we will be having the works done on the drains in the Playing Field car park, so there will be some disruption, I will keep you posted on social media and e-mails (please sign up to our e-mails if you haven’t yet!)

Unfortunately as you may now know, the Battery Storage application was given permission. We will now be doing all we can to ensure that all conditions are adhered to and that the fire and rescue service are involved in all safety plans. Thanks to our District Cllrs for the support they gave along with Cllr Mike Stayte on behalf of the Parish Council and WWT also objected.

Biodiversity is now a big topic and we all have to play our part. We will be looking at how we manage our assets in the coming months and looking to leave some areas to grow next year to see what we have – this will be in the Churchyard, playing field and some other areas we own too. We would love your help in recording flowers, insects and wildlife in the parish; we are aiming to use an app iNaturalist if you want to have a go at downloading it. Also keep the date of Friday 27^th September free when we are hoping to have a hedgehog event giving information on how to look after our prickly friends.

The Cambridge Green flood post is beginning to look a little tired so we are looking to give it a bit of TLC, if anyone has any comments please send them to the Parish Clerk.

The Solar Farm Fund applications open in August, so if you are a community group and have a project going which you need funds for, please look at applying. Forms and rules are available on the Parish Council website. The Parish Council have also updated their Strategic plan for the next 4 years. This can also be found on our website under documents and policies and gives information on projects planned. Please do look and give any feedback on this.

Parish News

Good afternoon,

Battery Storage application, Kingston Road
This application is going to the development Control Committee on Tuesday 9th July at 6pm at Stroud District Council. the agenda and Officer’s report is now available on the website at Welcome to Modern gov | Stroud District Council. The Officers report is to approve permission. The Parish Council will be in attendance to put forward their objection. This is being finalised at the Parish Council planning meeting this evening.

Roadworks updates:
Please find attached letter and map regarding the upcoming works on A4135 Dursley Road Cam  starting 19^th July 2024.
Gloucestershire Highways aim to complete the works as safely and timely as possible.
Closure information

Have your say on Gloucestershire’s local nature recovery strategy (LNRS) 🐝
The LNRS will map out how and where nature recovery could take place in Gloucestershire.
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy covers 4 main areas.

• A list of priority habitats
• A list of priority species
• A list of recommendations for how these can be protected
• A map of priority zones

You can find out more about the local nature recovery strategy on our website.
This survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Your response will be used to inform the priorities and actions which will support the delivery of the LNRS.
To take part and have your say visit our website. The engagement exercise closes on Tuesday 9 July, at 5pm.

Older Drivers Forum

DRIVING SAFELY IN SUMMER

This popular series of free zoom webinars returns at 10am on Saturday 29 June     
NHS report 1 in 5 people will suffer from hay fever at some point in their lives. If a driver sneezes when driving this can cause their eyes to close for up to three seconds. At 70mph a car can travel up to 103 metres in that time.             
Summer has finally arrived and brings with it seasonal road safety challenges. Traffic volumes increase with more vulnerable road users out and about. This is the busiest time for farmers.
Fast growing hedgerows obscure traffic signs and make visibility at blind corners and junctions even more challenging. At dawn and dusk wild animals are more active.
More tourists visit our beautiful county with some not being experienced with rural road challenges. The festival season is in full swing causing traffic jams in unexpected places.
Combine all this with – hopefully – higher summer temperatures and the results are higher stress levels for drivers and vehicles alike.
This webinar will help attendees brush up their skills and knowledge on how to keep driving safely for longer in summer
We are trialling a new registration process so click on this link to secure a free space

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApduCoqTgqHtSzhAqgmXVgJCY3HZXWW2_m

If you have any issues email odfglos@gmail.com

Parish News

Kingston Road Battery Storage planning application. 
This will now be going to Stroud District Council Development Control Committee on Tuesday 9th July at 6pm. The Parish Council are preparing their speech as we will have a 4minute slot to put in our objections. District Councillor Lindsey Green is also speaking on our behalf, and she has no time restrictions. There will also be a 4 minute time slot for those wishing to object and 4 minutes for those wishing to support. This 4 minutes is strictly adhered to and if more than one person wants to speak within the slot, the time is shared out equally – for example two people wishing to object will be given 2 minutes each. You will need to register if you wish to speak. Public are welcome to attend the meeting.

WWT and delivery of a Portakabin
The Parish Council have been informed that the WWT will be having a Portakabin delivered towards the end of Summer (potentially August / September) which will need to come down St Johns Road. Due to its size, they are having to apply for a Traffic Road Order to be able to deliver it which means a parking restriction / road closure as it travels down. As we hear more about this, we will keep everyone updated so as to be able to keep the road clear during the delivery schedule slot.
As a bit of background from WWT the Portakabin will be for the following:
The Portakabin will be a nursery for eggs and chicks of wading birds, in particular black-tailed godwits. This species’ UK population (centred in the Fens of East Anglia but also with vanishingly small populations in the Severn Vale, Lancashire and Essex) had declined to 35 pairs in 2017 but through WWT’s ‘headstarting’ work, increased to 54 pairs by 2021.  ‘Headstarting’ involves the licensed collection of eggs in order that chicks can be artificially hatched and raised for release – thus bolstering populations that are failing to be self-sustaining as a result of low annual recruitment of young through nest predation, unseasonal flooding events and habitat degradation. You might find this video explaining “headstarting” of interest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4epn_AsEpIE
Last year WWT was awarded grant funding from Natural England to set about achieving the UK Government endorsed “National Single Species Action Plan for the UK Breeding Population of Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa limosa 2023 – 2033”. The plan has a target of establishing 80 breeding pairs of godwits at 4-5 sites in the UK by 2033. We aim to establish a captive breeding population of godwits at WWT Slimbridge in a project we are calling “Godwit Futures”. The captive population will be managed to produce birds for future reinforcement and reintroduction projects to achieve the godwit’s action plan’s target.

Road closures
Please find attached letter and map regarding the upcoming works on  A4135 Dursley Road Cam. starting 18th July2024. This is to resurface the road. 
Closure letter and map

Playing Field / Legion car park
The drains are due to be repaired on the Playing Field car park during August, so there will be some disruption and limited parking. This will take approx. 2 weeks to complete. We will keep you updated on dates. It is hoped this will alleviate the flooding coming off the playing field in heavy rains and flooding out onto St Johns Road.

St Johns Churchyard tombs project.
A grant has been applied for through the National Heritage Lottery to repair the 24 listed tombs and the railings and gates of the churchyard. We have about 4 more weeks to hear back if we have been successful. If we have then there will be some open events to come and see the works and learn about the history of these tombs.

Kind regards
Helen Dunn, Parish Clerk
07943 894637

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