WEEKLY COLUMN by Stroud District Council leader, Catherine Braun 

Applications closed last week for Stroud Funding, the new crowdfunding programme for Stroud district, and there are now lots of fantastic community plans waiting for pledges towards their fundraising target!

It’s inspiring to see the variety of projects already confirmed, which include a new community hub, play and recreational spaces, a history trail, community composting and a new tool library, amongst many others.

The council has allocated £100,000, which will be shared between projects which align with the council’s priorities.

We’ll hold two Stroud Funding rounds per year, with the next one in the spring.

Details of all the current projects can be found online if you’d like to find out more, or pledge your support: https://www.spacehive.com/movement/stroud/projects Following the local elections in May, we’ve now reviewed our District Council Plan which sets out priority areas of work for the next five years.

The new draft plan is now open for consultation (until 8 December) online and via paper copies, and we would love to hear your views on the proposed priorities and aims.

There are five themes, based on the District Council’s responsibilities: Environment, Climate & Nature; the Local Economy; Communities & Wellbeing; Housing; and how the Council works for our communities www.stroud.gov.uk/CouncilPlanConsultation

This weekend, many of us will be attending Remembrance Day events to reflect on past and present conflicts across the world. It’s an important date in the calendar, to remember all victims of war, those who gave their life in service to their country and to renew our commitment to work for peace.

I’m delighted that Cllr Paul Turner, one our new Armed Forces Champions, will be representing the Council by putting a wreath on the ‘Poppy Train’ which takes wreaths from Great Western Railway stations to the Remembrance service at Paddington Station. “ Cllr Catherine Braun, Leader of Stroud District Council