Decision details

The Leader invited Members to share any briefings.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Culture, Tourism and Wellbeing thanked the organisers of the recent Gloucestershire Property Forum, where empty shop units were discussed, and also Men in Sheds for welcoming him at Dundry Nurseries last week.

The Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities shared the following:

-       the survey on the safety of women in Cheltenham can be accessed via the website, giving women the opportunity to share their thoughts on safety in the town centre.  She was keen to welcome as many experiences as possible, and encouraged Members to share this with friends and colleagues;

-       thanks to Helen Down and other CBC officers, colleagues at Cheltenham Alliance for Race Equity, the Everyman, Cheltenham Festivals and local schools for organising a summer competition which gave children the opportunity to say what they think about living in Cheltenham.  There were many entries, and the Mayor is delivering prizes to finalists at local schools.  Ten children aged 7-18 attended the Cheltenham Literature Festival last week and read their entries to a large group of people.  This was an amazing experience, particularly appropriate in Black Lives Matter month, giving voice to those who don’t always have it – something this council does well.     

The Cabinet Member for Customer and Regulatory Services said that earlier in the year, the council approved £128k in community grants for all sorts of local initiatives, from defibrillators to pollinators to new pedestrian pathways.  He was happy to report that these projects have now started, and recently visited Bath Road to see the new-repainted utility boxes, beautifully decorated by the brilliant street artist Rhys Cowe.  He said this is something to celebrate, and was happy to say that there are more grants to come.