I am writing to introduce you to a new on-demand bus service for the North Cotswolds. This service is being run by Community Connexions – a Gloucestershire charity providing transport for the most vulnerable in our communities. This is a door-to-door service, so not to be confused with the recently introduced Robin bus.

The service is due to start the week commencing 3rd April and the Bus will be based at Stow. I am writing to ask for your support in publicising the service in your parish/town. We are also looking at running regular shopper routes, these are door to door so ideal for those unable to get to a bus stop. We would like to know which supermarket(s) are most utilised in your area to set up the most suitable route(s). Passengers on these shopper routes can use their concessionary bus passes, so can travel for free.

To this end, we would be grateful if you would reply with what would be of best use in your parish. When the routes are finalised we will send you a PDF and some paper copies to publicise.

If there are groups you know that would benefit from the service please do let us know.

This is a pilot project for the North Cotswolds and we need your assistance in making it a success.

Kind regards

Amber

Amber Deacon

Marketing Manager

Community Connexions

Suite 10, Corinium House,

Corinium Avenue,

Barnwood Point,

Gloucester

GL4 3HX

Mobile: 07539 083551

Office: 0345 6805029

Email: amber@communityconnexions.org.uk

Website: www.communityconnexions.org.uk

We always need more volunteer drivers! Do you know anyone who could help?

https://communityconnexions.org.uk/volunteer/

Our values – Respectful, Helpful and Honest

Community Connexions operating Community Transport across Gloucestershire

Registered charity no. 1119310. Company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales, company no. 05880006.

Registered office: Suite 132, Corinium House, Barnwood Point, Gloucester GL4 3HX Tel: 0345 680 5029.

Vat registration no. 940 9715 08

Please see attached document.

Broadwell Parish Council has set their budget for  2023/24 which is attached.  The spending for 2023 24 is expected to be approximately £12,500.  This figure includes a reserves figure for £10,000 to be collected over the next five years to replace the Kubota Mower used to maintain the village green and verges.

The Parish Council has kept the precept figure collected locally from residents through their council tax, artificially low over the last couple of years.  This was due to the financial hardship from Covid and the recent recession.  However, it is a fine balance to ensure Broadwell Parish Council has enough funds to run efficiently and maintain the assets of the village.

This year the Parish Council has requested a precept payment from Cotswold District Council of £8500 for 23/24.  This still leaves a deficit of funds required of £4000 which the Parish Council will take from their reserves. 

For your information, last year the precept collected locally was £6795.  This has meant an increase of 20%.

https://stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk/neighbourhood-plan/

The consultation period is from the 6th of February 2023 until the 20th of March 2023. You are invited to present your comments via Stow on the Wold Town Council website see link above, or email the address below or by letter.

info@stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk

We currently have a space to be filled on the parish council.  If you have a strong drive to help make decisions within your local village, then we would love to hear from you.  We desperately need assistance to take on Highway's issues and follow-ups for us.  If you are passionate and want to see a speed restriction in the village then perhaps you are that person. The parish council meet approximately ten times a year at the village hall, Wednesdays from 7.30 to approximately 9.30 depending on the business listed.  For further information please contact the clerk or chairman direct or speak to one of the other council members.

clerk@broadwellpc.org

It is with regret we have to inform you of the resignation of one of our councillors, Kate Burtonwood.  She was a valued member of the parish council and will be sorely missed.  Thank you for all of your hard work throughout your term in serving the village and council.

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https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/about-the-council/elections-and-voting/current-and-future-elections/

Dates relevant to full District and Parish Elections for May 23

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Free Transport and helpline

Gloucestershire County Council have asked Barnardo's to manage the holiday transport offer. If any families do not have access to transport and wish to get to activities beyond walking distance they can contact Barnardo's directly. The County Council will also provide a helpline for families who are having difficulties with the children's activity booking system (CABs). This will operate from 10am until 4pm weekdays. Information and details for both of these offers are currently being finalised and will be posted onto the county website soon, the link is below:

https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/

2. Cotswold Connected Community and Food Programme – Funding support for local projects

This programme is open to not-for-profit Voluntary and Community Sector organisations and Social Enterprises. We would also like to hear from individuals or small un-constituted groups with a great idea. Projects must demonstrate how the funding will be used to increase community resilience and enhance people's lives. There may be such groups in your area:

https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/communities-and-leisure/community-grants-and-funding/cotswold-connected-community-and-food-programme/

Examples for projects include:

· Community Food projects such as Community Fridges/larders/pantries

· Community Hubs

· Friendship/Talking Café's

· Intergenerational projects

· Community Activities aiming to connect people

· Community transport

· Development of Community Partnerships

· Any initiatives aiming to support mental and physical wellbeing

3. Finally, just a reminder of these useful links to community resources related to well-being and cost of living. We welcome updates so that we can gather and share information about all that is on offer.

https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/council-tax-and-benefits/help-if-you-re-struggling-with-the-cost-of-living/

https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/council-tax-and-benefits/help-if-you-re-struggling-with-the-cost-of-living/support-available-in-your-community/

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/news/cotswold-district-council-provides-additional-financial-support-to-households-not-eligible-for-government-energy-support

Cotswold District council extra support - Cotswold District Council has today written to 348 households across the district to inform them the Council will be providing additional financial support to them to help with the rising costs of energy bills.

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https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/resources/winter-haf-2022

Cotswold District Council is working in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council and local community organisation World Jungle to deliver another Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) for eligible children across the Cotswold district this winter.

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https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/budget Have your say in CDC budgets

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https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/news/district-council-encourages-residents-to-get-recycling-right-and-reduce-waste-if-they-can CDC ask residents to get their recycling right to help reduce waste

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https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/news/council-reminds-householders-of-their-duty-of-care-following-an-increase-in-fly-tipping-of-builders-waste

FLY TIPPING IN THE COTSWOLDS

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https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/news/historic-investment-into-moreton-in-marsh-transport-hub

Historic Moreton - A quarter of a million-pound investment from the Cotswold District Council will help transform the area around Moreton-in-Marsh train station into a transport hub for the North Cotswolds.

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https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/news/dont-lose-your-vote-residents-in-the-cotswolds-urged-to-check-voter-registration-details

Don't lose your right to vote! Please click the above link to find out further information if you have not heard from the canvassing team with respect to your vote.

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https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/resources/wmxqg-jpthi-coqf8-u5091-kuwey

Successful prosecution by CDC for fly-tipping near Stow on the Wold.

Holiday Activity and Food Programme is back - free summer fun for children and young people

Download

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Cotswolds District Council has a small pot of funding available (£200 limit) to help fund community-led initiatives that take action to maintain and improve the environment. This money has already helped create a wildflower meadow in Bourton-on-the-Water. Get in touch withMillieorJoewho will also be on hand to advise local councils. They will be engaging with residents in the district and presenting talks to groups and schools on the importance of taking care of and maintaining local environments.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ In its continued commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency, Cotswold District Council is taking a leading role in supporting wildlife by helping to create a Nature Recovery Plan (NRP) for the much loved Cotswold Water Park. To find out more about the Cotswold Water Park Nature Recovery Plan, please visit Cotswold District Council's website:https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/planning-and-building/landscape/cotswold-water-park/

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Cotswold District Council has opened applications for financial support to those most in need of help with their energy bills. The new scheme is for residents who were not eligible for the recent £150 council tax rebate. More information on the rebate can be found on the Council website atcotswold.gov.uk/150rebate

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________For more information on Cotswold Climate Investment, please visit Cotswold District Council's website:https://cotswold.gov.uk/cci

FREE ENERGY SURVEYS FOR PRIVATE TENANTS: Tenants living in cold and draughty accommodation can expect warmer, healthier homes thanks to a campaign by Cotswold District Council, which has received backing from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Please access through the link below:

https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/news/free-energy-surveys-for-privately-rented-properties-that-fail-to-make-the-grade

It has been announced by Buckingham Palace that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed peacefully on 8th September 2022.

The Parish Council Members and the people of Broadwell village offer our sincere condolences to the members of the Royal Family at this very sad time in our country's history.

“We have opened a book of condolence in the church in Broadwell to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth 11 and is available for all to sign.

The church as ever is open during daylight hours for all who might wish to use it for a time of quiet reflection or prayer.

There will be a service of Holy Communion this Sunday at 9.30 am which will include special prayers for the Queen, King Charles and the Royal family.”

Thank you.

With best wishes,

William.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083947032636 

Just a quick note to let you all know the parish council has created a Facebook page that will be used solely to communicate

the parish council news directly to their parishioners. Please click the link above to view and feel free to advertise our page to other local residents.  The above link can also be found at the bottom of our website pages by clicking on the Facebook blue logo.

https://stowonthewold-tc.gov.uk/event/public-consultation-neighbourhood-plan-development-proposals/   Please find a link to Stow on the Wold Town Council's public consultation.

Your chance to help shape the future of Stow on the Wold. As this will have an effect on Broadwell I have added this to our website for your reference.  The first consultation will take place today in St Edward's Hall 14:00 hrs to 20:00 hrs 

20/7/22 - UPDATE - Works have been delayed due to fencing panels not being available through the contractor.  Works should commence in mid-August and not the beginning as first informed.

16/6/22 - UPDATE - Calor gas has confirmed works should take place from 1st to 5th August.

14/6/22 -  Today I received confirmation from Calor Gas Customer Engineering Co-ordinator that their site visit is complete.

This is the information they supplied to me.

Further to our engineer's visit yesterday he has advised the following

Not Complete - Customer Notes: Compound fence has all broken and fallen down, I have put the gate and piece of the fence back up but this needs a new fence and membrane with gravel urgently

We will need to replace this like for like with half hit and miss and another half chainlink we will need to order the following materials -

20m of chainlink fencing with 2 gates

12x hit and miss fence panels with 14 posts and 40 bags of postcrete

Fencing to be delivered on day 2

The following are to be delivered on day 1-

8-yard skip delivered

3 heras fence panels with feet

1-ton digger

Skip loading dumper

3 rolls of weed suppression

8-ton bags of p gravel delivered on day 4 the first drop

Hopefully, this work will be carried out soon.

Debbie

Clerk to Broadwell PC

Please find attached the Notice of Vacancy in the office of Councillor for Broadwell Parish Council.

Councillor Georgina Thorley is standing down from the parish council due to other commitments.  

This means there are now currently two seats vacant on the parish council. If you or anyone you know

is interested in the village, community affairs and projects, and would like to fill these spaces, please contact the clerk

in the first instance at clerk@broadwellpc.org

We ask that you attend parish meetings and donate whatever time you have available with no pressure, to ongoing village projects.  The parish council only meet every six weeks to discuss and agree on parish matters.

Registering to vote

Anyone who wishes to vote must be registered on the electoral register. The deadline for those who are not registered to make an application is Monday 19 April. For more information and to register see: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Postal voting

For anyone interested in voting by post this year they just need to make sure they apply before 20 April 2021. They can request a postal vote application form by visiting https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voting-person-post-or-proxy/voting-post

We would encourage people to sign up to do this as soon as possible.

Proxy voting

If a resident is unable to make it to the polling station, then they can nominate someone to be their proxy and cast their vote for them. The proxy needs to be a registered voter and able to attend the voter’s own polling station. Applications for proxy voting need to be sent to the District Council by no later than 5pm on Tuesday 27 April.

More information around the local elections for 2021 can be found at our website https://cotswold.gov.uk/about-the-council/elections-and-voting/current-and-future-elections/

Consultation on Cotswold District Council’s Draft Statement of Licensing Policy (Licensing Act 2003)

Cotswold District Council has prepared a draft policy and this is available to view online. If you wish to view this document please visit https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/consultations If you require a printed copy of the draft policy, then please email the licensing team by replying to this email.

If you would like to comment on the draft policy the final date for responses is Sunday 9^th May 2021. A link is provided on the above

https://news.cotswold.gov.uk/resources/cllr-jenny-forde-at-everyone-active-bourton-on-the-water

Covid 19 Business Update

Hello, I’m Councillor Tony Dale, Cabinet Member for Economy and Transformation. As summer draws to a close, I hope it has been an enjoyable and successful one for you. In particular, I hope businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors have been able to make up some of the lost ground from the lockdown earlier in the year. Case numbers are still high, so it’s important we all play our part in keeping the virus under control. The latest guidance for business on the link below.

There is a lot of support out there for businesses and the wider economy and some of these initiatives are highlighted in this newsletter. Please take advantage of the help and support available if you feel it will be of value to you and your business.

It has been heartening to hear about many new businesses starting up in the District in recent months and I’m sure this is a trend that will continue. As ever, if there is anything we can help with, please get in touch.