THIS edition of Geoff Wheeler's diary includes a meeting with Stroud MP Neil Carmichael and a popular business networking event.
 

Tuesday, January 26 – Business Networking Event

Over 60 businesses attended this event which provided advice on business rates, cyber crime prevention, websites, social media, food hygiene, planning, trading standards and supplying to the council. Advice was also on hand from The Growth Hub, Severn Wye Energy Agency and the Department for Work and Pensions. It was a very ‘hands-on’ and practical event and I’m pleased to hear that post-event feedback has been extremely positive, with 100% of those attending stating that they would attend a similar event again or recommend it to their contacts. If you run a business it might be an idea to get in touch so that we can keep you informed about any future events. Email business.consultation@stroud.gov.uk or call 01453 754296 with your details.

 

Thursday, January 28 – Polling stations

I’ve mentioned last month’s council meeting before and how the budget and council tax rate for Stroud District Council were set. Also on the agenda was an item on the changes to polling districts and polling stations. This may have an impact on where you vote in the forthcoming elections in May, so when you receive your polling card nearer the time, please ensure that you check the address of your polling station as it may have changed from the one you have been used to attending. Of course there’s always the option of having a postal vote instead. If you like to move to postal voting rather than having to cast your vote in person at a polling station, call the council’s elections team on 01453 754886.

 

Friday, January 29 – Neil Carmichael MP

The chief executive and I met up with our local MP to discuss local issues. As a slight aside, we also took the opportunity to provide him with a copy of the recently adopted Stroud District Local Plan. Page three of the 210 page document dedicates the plan to John Balfe, one of the council’s planners who passed away last year – a very nice touch.

 

Sunday, February 14 – Food Hygiene

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and last month I mentioned the significance of the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme if you are planning to eat out. Our environmental health officers assess restaurants, cafes and bars and assign the appropriate rating. This month, the Food Standards Agency is running a campaign to encourage businesses to display their ratings and suggesting that customers think twice if they don’t see them displayed. The aim is to protect the public from risks such as food poisoning and to drive up standards. It may interest you to know that in Wales it is compulsory for businesses to display their ratings for customers to see, but this is currently not the case for the rest of the UK.  The ratings for all 440,000 food businesses are, however, available online, and over 93% have a rating of 3, 4 or 5. Visit food.gov.uk/ratings to check ratings before you book a table.