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MINUTES OF BRIMSCOMBE & THRUPP PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD REMOTELY VIA ZOOM ON TUESDAY 3rd November 2020 AT 6.00PM

Present: Cllr Colette Wilson Chair Cllr Bob Tyler Vice-Chair Cllr Greg Pilley Cllr Ben Morris Cllr Brian Castle

Absent: Cllr Bill Harvey

In attendance: District Councillor Martin Whiteside Chloe Turner (Case worker representing County Councillor Rachel Smith) District Councillor Deborah Young 5 members of the public were present

1. Apologies Cllr Nicky Russell was unable to attend the meeting Cllr Roger Martin sent his apologies, which were accepted by the Council

2. Declarations of Interest (Members are requested to declare any interest they may have in the business set out on the Agenda to which the approved Code of Practice appears). Cllr Pilley declared an interest in Planning application S.20/2172/TCA (agenda item 7)

3. Approval of Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 6th October 2020 The Minutes were approved as a true record, with signing deferred to the next face-to-face meeting (as per the advice and guidance of GAPTC)

4. To receive the monthly County Councillor report (5 mins) Chloe Turner provided a written update prior to the meeting (see appendix 1).

5. To receive the monthly District Councillor report (5 mins) Cllr Whiteside provided a written update prior to the meeting (see appendix 2).

6. To receive the monthly District Councillor report (5 mins) Cllr Young provided a written update prior to the meeting (see appendix 3).

7. Planning applications: To consider current planning applications and agree any comments to be submitted by the Parish Council Applications requiring a decision: 541

 S.20/2306/AFPA Lambing shed The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.20/2263/HHOLD Rear balcony The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.20/2240/TCA Sycamore tree - remove to near ground level The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.20/2243/TPO (1) Large twin stemmed Holm Oak and smaller stem to the right - Reduce all over to near previous (approximately 3.0 - 4.0m). (3) Holm Oaks between the fence and the drive below - Reduce to near previous (2.0 -3.0m). The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.20/2213/HHOLD Additional storey to existing bungalow. The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.20/2046/FUL Resubmission of S.20/0332/FUL. Erection of a two bedroom dwelling house The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.20/2172/TCA Works to various trees The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.20/2134/TCA Birch - reduce crown by approx 6m and shape. The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

 S.19/1944/REM Reserved Matters for the erection of 2 dwellings (S.20/1712/VAR). The Committee agreed to ‘No Comment’ on this application Stance: neutral

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 S.20/2140/FUL Change of use from a residential dwelling to a holiday let The Committee agreed to the following comments on this application: The covenant on the property should be respected. The Parish Council does not support a change of use to a commercial enterprise in that setting. The Parish Council does not feel that this would be appropriate. Stance: object

[Action: Locum Clerk to submit comments to SDC]

8. Lighting of development at Wimberley Park: To discuss the proposals for lighting of the development at Wimberley Park and agree a Parish Council response An email was received prior to the meeting from Paul Steventon informing the Council that he has been advised that this development is entirely within the parish of Minchinhampton and so he does not need the input of Parish Council. The Council agreed however to submit comments stating the Council feel that there should be minimal lighting, apart from what is needed for safety, and that any lighting should be covered down lighting [ACTION: Locum Clerk to email Paul Steventon].

9. Clerks report: Details of progress undertaken by Locum Clerk to manage essential business, including report of hours worked and activities undertaken The Locum Clerk updated the Parish Council on activities undertaken and progress made during October to manage essential business, this included a report that was circulated prior to the meeting.

10. Handy person: Review of progress made over the month and to agree priorities for the month ahead The Council discussed and commended progress made over the month. The Council discussed the list of proposed jobs going forward. It was decided that the allotment hedge and hedging on Brewery Lane should be cut by a contractor, Cllr Castle will organise a quote for this work [Action: Cllr Castle]. The Council would like clarification regarding the work needed on the path near Thrupp School [Action: Locum Clerk to liaise with Crissie Lewis]. The Council are happy with the hours undertaken and will review the role with Crissie Lewis in January 2021.

11. Finance (a) Accounts for approval and payment

Recipient and details Payment Amount method Staffing and expenses (including HMRC and pension) BACs and £1,109.41 Direct Debit Hannah Warren (Reimbursement of expenses for Zoom BACs £14.39 monthly subscription - November) Boss HR Ltd (HR advice) BACs £403.60 Cristal Lewis (Handy person – October) BACs £609.36 Cristal Lewis (Handy person – October - expenses) BACs £20.33 TW Hawkins (mowing A419 field) – outstanding invoice from BACs £203.70 November 2019 543

TW Hawkins (mowing A419 field) – invoice from August 2020 BACs £167.76 Water Plus – Allotment water supply, invoices from July and BACs £208.56 September Honeyfield Property Services – Replace panels in Bus Shelter BACs £978.00 7 Honeyfield Property Services – Replace panels in Bus Shelter BACs £1,131.60 10 TOTAL £4846.71

The accounts were agreed for payment.

(b) To receive monthly breakdown of income and expenditure and monthly budget monitoring statement The Council received a breakdown of income and expenditure to date for the current financial year, and budget spends to date.

(c) To discuss and plan 2021-22 budget and precept planning The Council discussed the provisional budget prepared by the Locum Clerk. It was agreed that this document will be shared electronically for comments and an extraordinary meeting held on Monday 23rd November at 6pm to finalise the budget and precept for 2021-22 [Action: Locum Clerk to share documents, and set up meeting and agenda]

12. Grant Evaluation Form: To approve the final grant evaluation form The Grant Evaluation Form was discussed and approved, subject to several amendments which were discussed and agreed. The Locum Clerk will make these amendments, upload the form to the website, and distribute to recent grant recipients [ACTION: Locum Clerk]

13. GDPR policy: To review and ratify GDPR policy (Locum Clerk) The Locum Clerk updated the Council on progress made to date. The Council suggested the Locum Clerk contact other PCs to look at their policies and also obtain training in this area. The Council approved a provisional budget of £50 for training or assistance with this work [ACTION: Locum Clerk]

14. Review of Standing Orders: Review of current Standing Orders with reference to the Model Standing orders 2018, for amendment. Locum Clerk to circulate model standing orders 2018, for the amendment of the standing orders for adoption The Locum Clerk updated the Council on progress made to date and what is needed for this review. The Council decided to revisit this agenda item at the PC meeting in January 2021, where a working group will be appointed to work on this alongside the Clerk/Locum Clerk [ACTION: Locum Clerk to add item to January 2021 agenda]

15. Review of Financial Regulations: Tailor and adopt Financial Regulations from 2019 Locum Clerk). Locum Clerk to tailor the model Financial Regulation from 2019 for circulation, and consideration/adoption The Locum Clerk updated the Council on progress made to date and what is needed for this review. The Council decided to revisit this agenda item at the PC meeting in January 2021, where a working group will be appointed to work on this alongside the Clerk/Locum Clerk [ACTION: Locum Clerk to add item to January 2021 agenda]

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16. Code of Conduct: Feedback from Locum Clerk regarding review and update of Code of Conduct (Locum Clerk) The Locum Clerk updated the Council on progress made to date and what is needed for this review. The Council decided to revisit this agenda item at the PC meeting in January 2021, where a working group will be appointed to work on this alongside the Clerk/Locum Clerk [ACTION: Locum Clerk to add item to January 2021 agenda]

17. Footpaths: Update on progress regarding access on footpath from the approach of Claypits Lane to Wasa-Wasa and other footpaths within the Parish. To discuss and agree actions needed to take this forward and potential budget requirements Cllr Morris updated the Council on progress to date. The Council agreed to discuss this further at the PC meeting in December 2020. The Council agreed to a provisional budget of £1000 for this project, which will be added to the provisional budget by the Locum Clerk [ACTION: Locum Clerk to add to agenda for December 2020, and add project to the provisional budget for 2021-22]

18. Post and postal redirection: To update Council on current arrangements and to discuss and agree future plans The Council agreed for the post to be redirected to the Locum Clerk.

19. Parish Council COVID-19 helpline: To discuss the continuation of the helpline and agree a Councillor to take this on for the time being (Locum Clerk and Chair) The Council received an update from the Locum Clerk that Grace Network have offered to take this on and monitor the email and helpline for the time being, liaising with the Locum Clerk. The Council agreed to this course of action.

20. Parish Council Policies: (a) To discuss the next policy to consider The Council agreed that the next policy to be considered for adoption would be the Anti Bullying and Harassment Policy. The Locum Clerk will send around the model NALC policy for review and adoption at the Parish Council meeting in December 2020 [ACTION: Locum Clerk]

21. Remembrance Day: To decide on Councillor to attend the event and organise a risk assessment The Council agreed that due to the coronavirus pandemic, the normal Remembrance Sunday service and wreath laying at the War Memorial would be cancelled this year, but that a wreath would be laid at the War Memorial on behalf of the residents of our parish, at 11am on the 8th November 2020 [ACTION: Locum Clerk to organise an update for the website regarding this]

22. Date of the next meeting: An extraordinary meeting will take place on Monday 23rd November at 6.00pm via zoom. The next regular Parish Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 1st December at 6.00pm via zoom

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CONFIDENTIAL AGENDA

23. Pursuant to 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 it is resolved that, because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the Public and Press leave the meeting.

24. Staffing: Review of staffing issues The current issues were reviewed and actions agreed accordingly

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8.10pm

Signed:......

Date:......

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Appendix 1 County Councillor Report – October 2020

Chloe Turner for Cllr Rachel Smith

COVID update: In the 7 days to 15th October, there were 378 confirmed cases of COVID in , of which 60 in and 73 in Cotswold District. The rate of cases for the last 7 days stands at 52.4 cases per 100,000, compared to 140.7 for England as a whole. As of this week (beginning 19th Oct 2020), a six-step plan has been introduced (available here as an infographic, in case useful for the parish website) across the county, as local action continues to slow the spread of Covid-19. The measures will support the Government’s new three-tier system, announced last week. The six steps for Gloucestershire focus on protecting our most vulnerable residents, increasing enforcement action and, importantly, a call to us all to work together, and for each other, by following the public health guidance put in place to keep us safe. The measures include: Increased enforcement. Continue to work with and support businesses and individuals to follow the guidance, but take action where there is a lack of cooperation - this could mean closure of an event or place, if they are not Covid safe and issuing fixed penalty fines, where necessary.

Welfare checks. Those who we know need help and reassurance to self isolate will be contacted directly to check that they have access to food, medicines and other support whilst they stay at home. In cases where the Council can’t get hold of people by phone, Gloucestershire firefighters will be on stand by to carry out homes visits.

Suspend care home visits. Director of Public Health, Sarah Scott, will write to all care homes advising them to suspend visiting. GCC will work with care homes to make sure there are other, safe ways, for residents and their loved ones stay in touch, with exceptions for those who sadly have to say goodbye. GCC has received an extra £6.6m from the Government to help tackle the spread of coronavirus in care homes and to protect those receiving care at home.

Covid-19 Gloucestershire Protection Representatives. Known nationally as marshals, the new district officers (funded with £300k from the £2.2m Track & Trace grant) will be out on the streets across the county from next week – not enforcing but advising, helping and supporting us all to understand and follow the guidance.

Letters to those in shielding group to remind and reassure. Whilst there is currently no need to shield, GCC will be writing to those on the shielded list advising them to reduce their social contacts, reminding of the support and advice that is available 547

to them and to take other steps to keep themselves safe, such as getting the seasonal flu jab. Do it for yourselves. Do it for each other. We must all continue to follow the public health guidance if we want to slow the spread of Covid-19. This includes: washing hands regularly, keeping a safe distance from others, wearing a face covering and not mixing in groups of more than six.

Cabinet Decisions: At October's Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet resolved to: - Work with the Gloucestershire Local Nature Partnership (made up of 30 public and private organisations) to plant 35 million trees in the county by 2030 - Approve a new ‘Housing with care’ strategy, to provide more options for supported living across the county - Secure a new provider for the Real Time Passenger Information for buses across the county, as the existing contract expires next year

School Streets A street in each of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury is due to take part in the county’s School Streets trial in November, closing to most traffic during school drop off and pick up times, Monday to Friday. The trial will last 12-18 months, during which time a decision will be made whether to make it permanent and expand the scheme to other schools. More information on the scheme at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schoolstreets

A419 Active Travel scheme As at time of writing, there has been no news on the outcome of the County Council’s bid towards the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, of which around £2m related to proposed improved walking and cycling links into Stroud from East and West (primarily the ‘Golden Valley’ (A419) route), but a decision is expected soon. There is more on the bid here, and the Golden Valley Inspiration study, which informed the bid, is on the Stroud Town website here. Clearly the impact on the Commons roads and Quiet Lanes/other routes along the valley will need to be a key consideration in any project that emerges from a successful bid.

Consultations Residents have been invited to give their views on: Proposed changes to J10 of the M5, costing £219m (open until 25 November) - https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/highways/major-projects-list/m5-junction-10-improvements- scheme/ A revised plan for the A417 ‘Missing Link’, incorporated changes to “further enhance local connectivity, accessibility and reduce the scheme’s impact on communities, the environment and the local landscape” (open until 12th November) - https://highwaysengland.co.uk/our- work/south-west/a417-missing-link/

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Appendix 2

Stroud District Councillor Report – 3 November 2020

Councillor Martin Whiteside

Coronavirus Response

Community Protection Officers Stroud District Council has pooled an element of its £42,639 Government compliance (‘Covid marshal’) funding in a collaborative partnership with Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and Gloucester City to provide Community Protection Officers. Gloucester City Safe will provide additional support in the form of a team of two officers who will promote community safety, crime reduction and compliance with Covid-19 regulations for a temporary six-month period. The new officers will advise and support members of the public and businesses on following social distancing rules, with support from existing council staff – our Environmental Health Officers (EHOs), new Covid Compliance Officer and our Neighbourhood Wardens.

They will be at work during main business opening hours but also some early evenings and weekends, rotating around the districts in the partnership. At present they will not enforce rules but will complement the roles of police and council officers who do have enforcement powers by engaging with and advising local residents and businesses. They will have Body Worn Cameras which will help capture evidence in the case of repeat offenders and businesses who continue to flout the rules, for example on group gatherings and wearing face masks.

New Test and Trace Support Payment On12 October SDC started processing applications and making payments under the new Government Test and Trace payment. This payment is made to those on low incomes who are unable to work while self-isolating. Residents who meet the criteria are eligible for a one-off payment of £500. (For more information, and to apply for a support payment.) Provision of free meals for children during half term week

SDC worked with community groups over the October half term holiday to ensure that food was distributed to families who are in need, including those whose children normally receive free school meals. Food was provided by community organisations who supported people in need during the Coronavirus pandemic, which include GL11 Community Hub, Wotton Area Mutual Aid (WAMA), The Long Table and All Pulling Together (APT). Around 1,500 children in the Stroud District are eligible for free school meals. The County Council subsequently agreed to provide vouchers to those in receipt of free school meals.

Climate change strategy consultation 549

“If we don’t take climate action, the collapse of our civilisations and the extinction of much of the natural world is on the horizon.” Sir David Attenborough. A consultation is now open until 16 December, on how Stroud District can lead the way in limiting, adapting, recovering, and responding to climate change, to protect future generations. The Council’s operations are already carbon neutral and the aim of this strategy is to facilitate the whole district becoming carbon neutral by 2030, recognising that urgent action is needed to avoid severe impacts. The 2030 Strategy sets out a context, rationale and approach for organising the work that will be needed. There are seven themes - Built Environment, Natural Environment, Energy, Mobility, Economy, Waste, and Community - plus 65 commitments, and 26 targets over the course of 10 years. SDC will have a role as an exemplar, encourager and enabler. Support from residents, business and the community will be needed to achieve the 2030 target. A series of consultation events will launch a District Dialogue for information exchange to make sure the strategy and plan has been well explained and identify the main areas of interest. These include:

- Town & Parish Councils 10 November 4pm-6pm: nominated members of the Councils covering the Stroud District - restricted to one representative only. - Open Events 10 November 10am – 12noon and 19 November 6pm – 8pm: open to whose living, working, studying or have an interest in the Stroud District. For more information: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/draft2030strategy

Council meetings

All Stroud District Council and Committee papers can be found here: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/meetings

Environment Committee – 15 October Local Plan Review The Committee approved an additional housing options consultation and revision of the timetable for the new Local Plan.

This latest Local Plan Review consultation runs from 21 Oct to 16 Dec 2020: www.stroud.gov.uk/localplanreview. Views are invited on the proposed new sites, which would be required if the Government increases the housebuilding target for the Stroud District. The Government-set target of 638 homes per year could rise to 786 if the Government raises it as part of its growth strategy. The sites under consideration include land between the A38 and the M5 north of the A419 at Whitminster, and land between the A38 and the M5 at Moreton Valence. The Local Plan maps out where homes and businesses will go, up to the year 2040 and currently Stroud District has to meet a target of almost 13,000 homes by then. If the target goes up, space for an extra 2,400 by 2040 will need to be found. 550

Two big challenges face the council because the western side of the District is predominantly and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the eastern half is in the River Severn floodplain. That means the A38/M5 corridor is one of the few areas left for most large-scale development. If the council does not allocate space for developers to build, the Government could direct where development takes place.

Strategy & Resources Committee – 20 October Financial support for Stratford Park Leisure Centre - The committee approved provision of additional short term support to the leisure contract provider in Stroud (Sport and Leisure Management (SLM)) to recover from the impact of Covid-19 to consider payment of a phased grant award. Stratford Park Leisure Centre has been hit hard since lockdown and this meant that the operator for Stratford Park Leisure Centre, SLM was forecast to be almost £300,000 worse off by the end of the financial year and risked not being able to run the centre for the Council. SDC has agreed to meet operator SLM halfway with capped, monthly payments in arrears up to a total of no more than £150,000. Health and wellbeing is one of the council’s five main priorities and Stratford Park Leisure Centre is a key part of keeping residents fit and well. SDC’s other leisure centre, The Pulse in Dursley is run directly by the council.

Community Services & Licensing Committee – 1 October The Committee discussed:  A verbal annual update from the Police and Crime Commissioner

 The review of stroud district council’s statement of licensing policy – to review the final draft following consultation  The extension of public space protection order – prohibiting alcohol consumption in designated places – noting the decision of the strategic director of communities to extend the existing public space protection orders for a further 3-year period from 20th October 2020.  Commissioning of strategy for leisure and wellbeing provision in stroud district - considered and approved the tender process for the commissioning of industry specialists to produce a strategy for leisure and wellbeing in stroud district addressing the future provision of community leisure and wellbeing provision across the district.

Audit & Standards Committee – 6 October The Committee discussed:

 Counter fraud and corruption policy statement and strategy 2020-2023  Internal audit activity progress report 2020/21 and the Internal audit plan 2020/21  1st quarter treasury management activity report 2020/21

 Proposed amendments to the code of conduct for members and the arrangements under which allegations can be investigated 551

Full Council – 22 October Council approved recommendations from the Community Services Committee, and the Audit & Standards Committee, including changes to the code of conduct for members and the arrangements under which allegations can be investigated. The Council discussed the budget strategy 2021/22 to 2024/25 – which remains flexible given the current economic uncertainties in relation to council income and expenditure.

The Council agreed to accept £1,094,050 of capital funding from Central Government for a project to be delivered under the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme (LADS). This will fund insulation for 100 park homes and 50 air source heat pumps for properties which are not on the gas grid, across Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire. A motion was approved (15 votes to 13, with 11 abstaining) about making Stroud District Council more diverse and representative of the residents of our District.

It was proposed by Councillor Whiteside (Green) and seconded by Councillor James (Lib Dem). The motion notes that no system of election is perfectly fair, but that the aim is to make those elected to the District Council as representative of the residents’ wishes and demographics as is reasonably possible.

Following approval of the motion, the Chief Executive will write to the Government to request changes to legislation that would permit Stroud District Council to take steps to increase its diversity and representativeness by:

(a) Allowing the Council to trial a more proportional voting system in District Council elections (b) Allowing job sharing of the elected councillor role (c) Allowing those aged 16 and over to vote in local elections.

It is unclear whether the current Government will agree to these requested changes, but this is an important recognition by the local authority that we need to take more active steps to improve representation of residents’ wishes and to attract a wider and more representative group of elected councillors.

Development Control Committee – 16 October

Discussed development proposals in Hunts Grove, Downend, land west of Stonehouse, Grove Lane, re: discharge of condition 46 - area masterplan - from approved application and public open space and strategic cycle link.

Council news

Affordable homes delivery 552

A report to the Housing Committee last month noted that SDC had its best year so far in delivering new affordable homes for sale and rent. Some 198 units in total were facilitated by the council. The council’s previous best was 142 in 2014. In 2019/20, 114 were rented units, 81 in shared ownership, one was a discounted sale, and two were offered under the Buy to Rent scheme.

Stroud District’s population of 118,130 is spread over 47,640 private homes, 4,991 Council homes and 1,752 housing association homes. The population is predicted to grow to 136,000 by 2041. There are currently over 3,147 people on the housing register, with 21,114 young people, 70,802 working age adults, and 26,214 in retirement. The increase of people of pensionable age is anticipated to rise significantly in the future as a result of rising life expectancy and the demographic impacts of two generations of baby boomers.

Cotswold Canals Project Funding The National Lottery Heritage Fund announced on 16 October that it will grant £8.9 million to the Cotswold Canals Connected Project. This means that the five miles of canal already restored will be connected to the national inland waterway network at Saul Junction. As well as opening up another 4.5 miles of canal, the funding will see huge benefits in terms of the economy, leisure, community, health, heritage and the environment, including the creation of 21 hectares of biodiversity land, planting 30,000 trees and shrubs, generating additional spending of £5.5 million per year in the local economy, bringing health benefits estimated at £8 million a year, preserving the canal archives from the 1730s and involving up to 500 extra volunteers. A partnership led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust has already restored 5 miles of canal between Stonehouse and Thrupp, but connecting to Gloucester and Sharpness Canal at Saul will mean that boats can reach Stonehouse and Stroud from the whole of the national inland waterway network. The canal, known as the , was formally abandoned by an Act of Parliament in 1954. Work on the stretch between Stonehouse and Saul is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. Work is already underway on Whitminster roundabout and the new railway bridge at Stonehouse Ocean near St Cyr’s Church. The project is also looking to prioritise small local business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators and wil be working with experts to create a wildlife corridor for people and nature and creating new jobs and training opportunities. Major funders for the project are The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Stroud District Council (£2.3m), Cotswold Canals Trust’s members and donors’ contributions (£2.2m), Gloucestershire County Council (£700,000) and the Canal & River Trust (£625,000). Cotswold Canals Trust will continue to fundraise for the remaining £1.2 million needed.

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Appendix 3

Stroud District Councillor Report – 3 November 2020

Councillor Debbie Young

We had an extraordinary Strategy and Resources meeting last month to discuss the need to support Stratford Park Leisure Centre. It was agreed that up to £150,000 would be paid monthly in retrospect to lack of income. Interestingly this is pretty much the same subsidy per person that is paid to The Pulse in Dursley. Any further costs will be met by the operator. In will be interesting to see how this pans out with the second lockdown and how much activity can still be carried on.

I would like to talk about the Freezers of Love, locally there is one in Chalford, Brimscombe, Cashes Green, Minchinhampton and Paganhill. These freezers are for everybody and not just for those in food poverty. In fact buying a meal supports other who are not be able to afford one. There is a belief that these freezers will now become increasingly important during this new lockdown when volunteers will deliver meals. People are contacting Long Table to help out and they are being referred to the people hosting the Freezers of Love.

There have been issues with the diversion as Cowcombe Hill is closed. The diversion is over 30 miles and so local people are using their local knowledge to reduce the distance, this has caused some problems. I did learn the reason for the length of this diversion, is that legally only A roads can be used.

I was really impressed to see the speed signs at Brimscombe Corner, they really make an impact and hopefully will get people to change their behaviour.