COLUMN by chair of Stroud District Council's environmental chair, Chloe Turner 

WE have a busy meeting coming up at the council’s environment committee this Thursday, December 7.

The main item to be discussed at this time of year is always Community Infrastructure Levy.

CIL is one of two ways that money is collected from developers who build in our area, with up to £1.8m now available to invest in the district this financial year.

The council’s role is to collect CIL and pass it on to organisations like the County Council, which provides the strategic infrastructure needed for those new homes. Suitable projects might include providing new or improved educational and emergency services facilities, strategic flood risk work or highways.

This year the committee has a wide variety of bids to consider from across the district, including school and town centre improvements, the construction of a multi-user path, natural flood management work and a bus station upgrade.

Also up for discussion at committee on Thursday is the latest management plan for the organisation that looks after our local Area of Outstanding Beauty, the Cotswold National Landscape.

The council has been asked to endorse this plan, because it is relevant both for how planning applications are judged locally, and for the way the council delivers its own services.

The AONB’s Plan considers issues like how to mitigate and adapt to climate change in our area and how to help nature thrive.

Also how to ensure everyone has access to the landscape to help improve their health and wellbeing, while producing food and other products, and ensuring businesses and livelihoods are maintained.

Other items on the agenda include the annual report from our partners Ubico, a chance to discuss the waste & recycling and other services they provide across the district, plus some financial updates as we move towards the setting of the budget for the next financial year. Finally, we will take a look at some work underway about how open spaces and amenities are managed on new residential developments.