This week, the Forest of Dean Council held two meetings. Below, you'll find a summary of the key decisions and discussions.

Traffic Regulation Committee - Meeting Cancelled

Date: Tuesday 25 June 2024

This meeting was cancelled, and no further information was provided.

County Council Meeting

Date: Wednesday 26 June 2024

Establishment of a Cross-Party Cabinet Panel for Road Safety

The County Council voted to establish a cross-party cabinet panel to review road safety in the county. This decision follows concerns about the rising number of serious injuries on the roads, despite a reduction in fatalities in 2023. The panel will review the effectiveness of the Road Safety Policy, which was adopted in 2022. The motion, proposed by Councillor Roger Whyborn, highlighted the need for more action due to Gloucestershire having one of the highest rates of deaths or serious injuries per capita on England's roads.

However, the situation in the county is still poor, and more still needs to be done, with Gloucestershire having one of the highest rates for Deaths or Seriously injured per capita on our roads in England.

Calls for increased active travel and enforcement were also discussed. The amended motion was carried.

Motion Condemning the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023

Councillor David Drew proposed a motion condemning the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023, arguing that it imposes severe restrictions on the right to strike. This motion was influenced by a rally in Cheltenham in January 2024. The motion was opposed by Councillor Dave Norman, who argued that the legislation ensures essential public services are maintained during industrial action. The motion was ultimately lost.

Council believes that these are unfair and undemocratic restrictions that risk making disputes, which should be resolved through negotiation, harder to solve.

Historic Forced Adoptions

A motion by Councillor John Bloxsom called for a formal apology from the UK government for its role in historic forced adoptions between 1949 and 1976. The motion was amended by Councillor Stephen Davies to remove the direct call for an apology. The amended motion, which also called for the Council's Children and Families Scrutiny Committee to consider support for those affected, was passed.

...he was not a believer in apologies from people who held no personal responsibility for what happened...

Spatial Planning

Councillor Jeremy Hilton questioned Councillor David Gray about a spatial planning document from 2019. The document suggested combining Cheltenham and Gloucester into a “super city”. Councillor Gray clarified that the document was a draft meant to encourage discussion and was never Council policy. It will not be released to the public.

Rural Estate Scrutiny

Councillor Alan Preest introduced the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee's annual report. The Council will consider the Cabinet's response to the Rural Estate Scrutiny Task Group's findings at a meeting scheduled for 29 May 2024.

Gloucestershire Pension Fund Annual Report

Councillor Lynden Stowe presented the Gloucestershire Pension Fund Annual Report. A committee member raised concerns about statements regarding Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. Councillor Stowe noted that the report reflected the views as of the end of 2022 and might be revised in the future.

This email aims to keep you informed about local government decisions and how they impact the Forest of Dean community. Understanding these decisions can help you engage more effectively with your local representatives and be more aware of the changes happening in your neighbourhood.