This is my first weekly column for The Gazette. As the new council leader, I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to carry on from where my predecessor Geoff Wheeler left off, so that I can provide updates on the council’s work.

Saturday, June 11 - Queens Birthday Honours List I was very pleased to hear and wish to add my congratulations to Stroud residents who received an honour, Dr. Simon Opher, MBE, Emma Samms MBE, Cllr Lesley Williams MBE and June Hennell MBE.

Sunday, June 12 - Leonard Stanley Parish Church Queen’s Birthday Celebrations. I attended this service and had the honour of giving a reading on behalf of the parish council.

Monday, June 13 – Margaret Nolder The funeral of former district, county and parish councillor, Margaret Nolder took place at St George’s Church in Cam. Not surprisingly, the service was well-attended with many family, friends and fellow councillors paying their respects to a long-serving and committed public servant.

Monday, June 13 - District Council Network All party Parliamentary reception London. I attended along with the chief executive, to meet with the Local Government Minister and the Parliamentary Chair of the DCN. Key topics discussed included devolution, the need for more houses and the valuable contribution district councils make to health and well being.

Tuesday, June 14 – Help for Heroes The charity has teamed up with the Canal and River Trust to offer ex-service personnel the opportunity to trial new skills in a variety of canal projects. The council’s chief executive, David Hagg, attending the launch at Ryeford. With the support of the council and the Cotswold Canals Trust, this new programme will help trainees gain a City and Guilds qualification and boost their employment prospects.

Wednesday, June 15 – Third Severn Crossing A very interesting meeting with the leader and chief executive of Forest of Dean District Council. We looked at the vision for a third crossing across the River Severn, which would link our two districts. Locally, the potential regeneration benefits – particularly for Berkeley, Sharpness and in Lydney – were discussed. I’ll keep you informed of any future discussions on this issue.

Thursday, June 16 – Environment Committee, 7pm Ebley Mill The committee looked at the progress on neighbourhood plans for Eastington, Stroud Town Centre, Whiteshill and Ruscombe, and Nailsworth. Neighbourhood plans are designed to help guide local development, rather than to prevent it. They cover specific local issues, rather than strategic ones, so that appropriate development opportunities can be encouraged. With different areas having differing characteristics, they represent a great opportunity to attract ‘the right type of development’. The committee also covered charging levels for the Community Infrastructure Levy, which covers how new developments should fund infrastructure development across the district.