joiN CotSwold leiSure for FREE PAGE 3 PAGE SpeCial offer! Cotswold Spring 2010 NewsProduced by Cotswold District Council www.cotswold.gov.uk The big freeze – Ellie Beere, aged 9, enjoys the thrill of going downhill in the snow near Stow-on-the-Wold in Lowest rise January. For more photos of the Cotswolds for Council in winter see Pages 8 and 9 tax in 15 years Residents welcome Cotswold District Council’s decision to restrict this year’s increase to 2.3%, the lowest since 1994-95 CAREFUL MANAGEMENT oF that has commented on residents’ finances and various cost-cutting satisfaction with the Cotswolds as a initiatives have made it possible place to live, and the Council’s suc- to introduce a lower increase than cess in maintaining a low Council anticipated, matching the small Tax rate. There has also been praise rise recommended at County for the Council’s delivery of services Council level. Leader of the to the local community, especially Council, Councillor Lynden Stowe, in regard to waste reduction, youth has paid tribute to the Council staff issues and financial management. who have worked extremely hard The assessment – produced by the to deliver a range of ‘back office’ Audit Commission - confirmed that savings while the Council is achiev- maintaining their ing the priorities high standard Efficiency savings which are important of customer- to the communities facing services. will continue to it serves, highlighting He anticipates the large reductions more savings trim running costs in waste going to in the future thanks to energy landfill in the district, and the con- saving projects and efficiency tinuing good work with young people programmes which will continue and children. overall the Council to trim running costs. has been given a rating of 3 out of 4 Councillor Stowe commented: – ‘performs well’ – a score which has “This is great news for everyone in not been bettered in Gloucestershire. Also inside this issue of Cotswold News the district. We were determined According to Councillor Stowe: to keep the Council Tax rise to a “The comments in the Audit report Around the region Going green What’s on minimum and this is proof that it is are very positive. The Councillors do-able, even against a backdrop of a and staff do a great job for the com- What’s been happening Hints and tips to increase What to do and where severe economic downturn”. munity and I am pleased that our around the district your recycling to go this Spring The council has also been buoyed by efforts have been recognised.” a prestigious nationwide assessment More on Page 2. >> Page 5 >> Page 12 >> Page 15 5 YearYYee warrantywarra In Store or Online. Collection or Delivery. includedinclud Free 21 West Market Place The latest BRAVIA 100Hz Full HD1080 LCD TV with Edge LED, Freeviewview HHDD Delivery and and built-in Wi-Fi. Packaged in a beautiful ‘monolithic’ design. installation Cirencester | 01285 641 456 www.sony.co.uk Owned & operated by HAV Ltd 7155 Sony_5x8(275).indd 1 26/02/2010 14:18 2 CotswoldNews www.cotswold.gov.uk Spring 2010 Contact US Leading the way Council leader Lynden Stowe reviews progress. “I am constantly asked to comment on how we are performing as a Council, and I was pleased when the Audit Commission trinity Road Cirencester Gl7 1PX gave us a considerable vote of confidence in their December2009 assessment.” They praised the way we had trial plastic bottle recycling, which – at Andoversford For all general Council limited Council Tax, and we are doing if successful - should push us to the last November, even better in 2010-11 with a rise of top of the recycling league in the UK. and the second was enquiries, telephone only 2.3%, or about 6p per week for The effects of the economic recently unveiled 01285 623 000 the average Band d payer, matching downturn continue to make life very at Lechlade. We’re the low increase imposed by the difficult for us all, and future plans also continuing to Out of Hours Emergency County Council. We are keeping for Council spending recognise that spend an annual Number 01685 742 138 down our costs through a range of there will probably be further cuts £500,000 to help cost-cutting measures, including in central government funding for disabled people Bourton Leisure Centre 01451 824 024 work-sharing with West oxford some years to come. This comes at a remain in their own district Council, energy savings and time when our revenues are lower homes, preserving Bourton Visitor 01451 820 211 streamlined office procedures. and, reluctantly, we’ve had to make community life Information Centre small increases in parking and and keeping down Chipping Campden 01386 841 595 leisure charges. Meanwhile, we are the costs at County Echo Leisure Centre “We are still on continuing to provide considerable Council and primary Chipping Campden Visitor 01386 841 206 help to families and businesses Care Trust level. I Information Centre course to save who are trying to make ends meet, must also tell you Cirencester Visitor 01285 654 180 advising them of the benefits that we have spent Information Centre a total of £2.3 available to them, providing extra over £350,000 Gloucestershire Corinium Museum 01285 655 611 funds to bodies like the Citizens’ upgrading facilities of million over the Advice Bureau, and alerting residents in gyms at our Cotswold Leisure Centre 01285 654 057 to other sources of support. dual-user sports next five years” on a brighter note, despite the centres in Bourton, courtesy Fairford Leisure Centre 01285 713 786 We are still on course to save a recession we are investing for the Chipping Campden, total of £2.3 million over the next future. We have set aside over Fairford and five years and, at the same time, £600,000 to fund grants to part- Tetbury, creating photo Moreton Area Centre 01608 650 881 achieve a 25% reduction in our finance flood resilience projects and user-friendly venues carbon dioxide emissions. The Audit to improve community and village that are encouraging Efficiency savings: Councillor Lynden Stowe Tetbury Leisure Centre 01666 505 805 Commission also commended our halls, and play facilities. Additionally, more people to Tetbury Visitor very high recycling rates (62% at the in partnership with local people, pursue a healthy lifestyle. we only actually get 10% of the 01666 503 552 Information Centre time of the report and still rising.) we have secured funding in excess Just like many local traders and money from your Council Tax bill, we Thanks to your fantastic cooperation, of £160,000 to create four new residents in the Cotswolds, we are are continuing to provide excellent Waste Hotline 01286 623 123 we are pushing ahead with further play areas for 8-13 year olds over a putting up a fight in the face of very frontline services while making real improvements, including plans to two-year period. The first opened harsh economic conditions. Although savings on our running costs. Cotswold News has a circulation of 40,000 and is distributed to all households in the District three times a year. The majority of the papers are delivered by the Royal Mail’s Door to Sign up now to vote Door service although where coverage is not available, the paper is delivered CotSwold diStriCt CounCil is be a matter of a few days. If you are What has the via normal post. If you have any urging residents not to wait until the not on the electoral register, you won’t comments about Cotswold News date of the next election has been be able to vote.” please contact Bob McNally, Editor, announced before they secure their at Cotswold District Council on To register, contact Cotswold 01285 623 120 or email: right to vote. council done for us? [email protected] nigel Adams, returning officer, District Council on 01285 623002, warns: “the time between the [email protected] or at Despite the recession, we are still being very Trinity Road, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 Cotswold News is published by Cots- election date being made public and wold District Council and produced/ the last chance to register to vote can 1PX. Don’t delay – do it today. proactive and we’re proud of our achievements: printed by Now Media Ltd. No part of this publication may be re-produced we’ve set aside over we’ve maintained an without the express permission of the £500,000 as part annual £500,000 capital publishers. Manuscripts, photographs funding for flood resilience expenditure to help and other materials submitted to the magazine are sent at the owner’s risk. projects disabled people remain in their own homes. Advertising is accepted and published Thank-you for we’re investing £100,000 under the strict guidelines of the CAP to provide grants for we’re allocating a further code as formulated by the Advertising building and capital works £54,000 a year towards Standards Authority (www.asa.org. at community and village developing a ‘watertight’ uk). It is sold on behalf of Cotswold halls, and to enhance play policy in our Local District Council by Now Media Ltd. your feedback If you have any comment/concern facilities at recreation development Framework about any of the advertising carried in our last edition, we asked you All comments have been taken parks. which will ensure our within Cotswold News, or would like for your feedback on Cotswold News on board and, while we cannot say Cotswold heritage is to advertise in future editions, please in exchange for the chance to win that everything has been included over two years we’ve protected while allowing contact Now Media on 01242 260 307.