Column by the leader of Stroud District Council, Doina Cornell.

Our thoughts and prayers this week are with the family, friends and colleagues of David Amess who was shockingly killed last week while conducting his MP’s surgery. I was reminded of the words of Jo Cox, who also lost her life five years ago, when she said we have ‘more in common’ than what divides us. MPs should be able to conduct their work serving their community without fear for their safety or that of their staff.

The comments ‘below the line’ to articles on the online version of this paper are sometimes a sad example of the toxicity in our world today. It is beholden on all of us to be a little kinder in what we say and do.

The full council meets again in person this week as government stipulates decision-making must be done in person, although this is against a background of cases rising again in our district. Vaccinations can help protect you against catching the virus or suffering the worst effects of it, so if you aren’t double vaccinated yet please do take up the offer.

Our NHS is already over-stretched and we want you to keep yourself safe. We live in a part of the world where safe vaccinations were pioneered and tested by Edward Jenner, and innovation continues to be rooted in that part of the district.

We saw this last week that the proposed Berkeley-Oldbury nuclear fusion bid has won through to the next round, and this week I look forward to attending the COP26 summit organised by the Active Building Centre at the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park, looking at the challenge how to transform construction to create greener and more energy efficient buildings.

Another welcome development this week will be the opening of the Growth Hub in Stroud, based at Stroud College, and like the other growth hubs across Gloucestershire will be providing a whole range of support for local businesses.