Winchcombe Town Council

News

Crime and policing survey
Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner wants to hear your views

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner would like to hear your views about your perceptions of crime in Gloucestershire. This feedback will be used to inform the OPCC’s work to make Gloucestershire safer. The survey is open until 3rd November 2024.
Please go to the website at

THRIVING COMMUNITIES IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Grants of up to £7,500 now available

This fund is managed by Gloucestershire County Council and applicable to projects within the county of Gloucestershire.

Up to pound;7,500 is now available for projects that meet at least one of the below criteria:

  • Helping adults to stay well and supporting them to live independently
  • Developing community connections/social networks and building resilience
  • Promoting inclusive independence and wellbeing in adults
  • Providing place-based activities (activities in residential communities) e.g. community hubs

That are conducted by one of the following types of organisation:

  • Parish and town councils
  • Community or voluntary groups
  • Registered charities
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs)
  • Art, music, performance, nature-based and sports groups

The grant cannot be used for:

  • Building and planning works
  • Consultancy costs
  • Activities that focus on children and young people
  • Schools and academies
  • Activities outside of Gloucestershire

What to know more?
The Thriving Communities team will be running some online webinars via MS teams for organisations to hear more about the scheme and ask any questions:

  • Wednesday 11 September 12:00-13:00
  • Tuesday 17 September 16:00-17:00
  • Tuesday 1 October 12.30-13:30

Please email thrivingcommunities@gloucestershire.gov.uk for an MS Teams invitation for your preferred session.
Deadline for applications: 13th October

  • Click here to find out more and to apply
  • Click here to see grants awarded in 2024
TEWKESBURY BOOROUGH COUNCIL VOTES TO BECOME NORTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE BOROUGH COUNCIL
Rename follows consultation with residents, businesses, town and parish councils, and other partners

The decision, made during an Extraordinary Council meeting required a two-thirds majority of those voting for it to pass. Tonight, Tuesday, 3 September, saw councillors voting (26 for and eight against) to reflect their constituents' views, and marks a significant step in enhancing the borough's identity and ensuring greater representation for all communities in the area.
The name change is set to be implemented from December 2024, aligning with a broader strategy to create a stronger geographic identity that better reflects the entire borough, which covers 160 square miles and encompasses many towns and villages including Bishop's Cleeve, Churchdown, Highnam and Brockworth. Tewkesbury parish accounts for under 3% of the borough's geographical area and around 10% of its population.

Rationale behind the change

The decision to explore a name change originated from discussions on the new Council Plan, where concerns were raised about the outdated nature of the current logo and the confusion between Tewkesbury Town and the wider borough. The name "North Gloucestershire Borough Council" was chosen as it more accurately represents the borough's geographic location and its many communities, and it avoids prioritising Tewkesbury Town over other areas.

Cllr Richard Stanley, Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said:

“This name change is about ensuring that all communities within our borough feel represented and included, something that many felt was not the case with the name 'Tewkesbury Borough Council'.
"The name North Gloucestershire Borough Council will help us to raise our profile both regionally and nationally, promoting economic development and attracting investment, while maintaining our unique identity as a borough. It will demonstrate our support for the entire borough, and show every resident that we are their council.
"In case there is any doubt, Tewkesbury town will retain its name and its position as a historically rich and culturally significant location.
"I'm proud to say that we will be keeping costs to an absolute minimum and making the introduction of our new name as smooth as possible for our residents and businesses.”

Public consultation and feedback

At a meeting of Council in May 2024, councillors were 'minded to' change the council's name, subject to a public consultation so that stakeholders could provide feedback and raise any suggestions, as well as share views on logo options. Members of the public, local businesses, town and parish councils, and other partners and interested parties submitted feedback to share their views.
The 10-week consultation, held from 17 May to 31 July 2024, gathered 1,608 responses - one of the most extensive consultation the council has ever conducted. The results showed that more than 86.26% of respondents understood the rationale behind the proposed name change, and 58.64% expressed their support for the change.

Next steps

With the name change approved, the council will begin a phased rollout starting in December 2024. Initial steps include:

  • Informing the Secretary of State and other relevant authorities of the name change.
  • Updating digital assets, including the council's website and email addresses.
  • Informing residents and businesses about the change and its benefits.
  • Gradually updating physical assets, such as signage and bins, during their normal maintenance schedules.

A new logo, chosen during the public consultation, will also be introduced as part of the rebranding.

NOTICE OF CONCLUSION OF AUDIT
Annual Governance & Accountablity Retrun for the year ended 31st March 2024

Sections 20(2) and 25 of the Loca Authority Audit and Accountability Act 2014
Accounta and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015 / 234)

The audit of accounts for Winchcombe Town Council for the year ended 31st March 2024 has been completed and the accounts have been published.

NOTICE OF CO-OPTION
Vacancy for Town Councillor
Following a recent retirement the Town Council has one vacancy to be filled by Co-Option.

Applications are invited from interested and qualified members of the public.

A Co-Option Application Form and Eligibility Criteria can be obtained from the Clerk, Winchcombe Town Council Office, Abbey Fields Community Centre, Back Lane, Winchcombe, GL54 5QH or by emailing clerk@winchcombetowncouncil.co.uk

Applications will be considered by the Council at its meeting on Wednesday 2nd October 2024.

Applications to be considered at this meeting must be received by 12noon Monday 16th September 2024.
NEW MP FOR TEWKESBURY CONSTITUANCY
Acting Returning Officer declares result

The count has been completed and Acting Returning Officer Alistair Cunningham has declared Cameron Thomas the Member of Parliament (Liberal Dememocrat), for the Tewkesbury Constituency, with 20,730 of 48,689 votes.

Councillor Richard Stanley, Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, said:

“Congratulations to our newly elected MP, Cameron Thomas. We look forward to working with him to ensure our ambitions and the council's new vision - ‘supporting people and strengthening communities’ - are realised.
We will meet with Cameron at the earliest opportunity. We're determined to address the important issues our communities face and are committed to the delivery of our new Council Plan. This includes delivery of infrastructure, attracting investment and jobs, making the borough carbon neutral by 2030 and improving outcomes for our communities.”

  • To download a PDF copy of the formal declaration of results, please click here