Dear all, Merry Christmas and all the best for 2016.

Christmas is my favourite time of the year for many reasons, the gathering of Family and Friends to

share good food, presents and good times. I enjoy all the traditions of Carols, Christmas Trees and

over indulging, but I also find that it is a good time to stop and take stock of what is good with the

World as well as those things we want to improve which leads to those so difficult to keep New Year’s

Resolutions. Local Politics is often about helping people and if I can help let me know, but this can

lead to a view of a World beset by problems which is not how I see the World at all. There are many

amazing things happening in this beautiful and exciting part of the world where we are lucky enough

to live. However we can not be complacent and must continue to strive to make things better.

So looking back on 2015. It has been an interesting and busy year for me particularly after being

elected to the privilege of representing Eastington and Standish on Stroud District Council. This has

been a learning curve particularly on all things planning, some applications we have had a good result

on others we have not been so lucky. I have enjoyed meeting many people and particularly working

with the Parish Council where I have strived to do what I can to help particularly in understanding the

challenges we face and getting answers to some of the questions. With the Stroud District Council

Local Plan moving forward the development West of Stonehouse is inevitable and I am proud to have

played a part in the detailed conversations now going on about how this development will look at the

facilities required to support this level of expansion. There is still much to be done.

And looking forward to 2016. We will continue to have Planning Applications and will continue to

have to be vigilant as we review each application on it’s merit. This will include the proposed

development by Ecotricity which we should scrutinise and I have previously outlined concerns that

need to be addressed in previous articles. As part of this activity there will also be further work on the

Neighbourhood Plan which I look forward to helping with where I can. There will also be elections, in

May 2016 when the whole Stroud District Council will be up for re-election, including me. Due to

Boundary Commission changes Eastington will be part of Severn Ward including Frampton, Saul,

Whitminster and Arlingham which I will be standing again to represent, (Standish will move

to Hardwicke.)

But that is all in the future, for now let us enjoy

the many events around Christmas and the New Year.

Merry Christmas,

Stephen.…

Councillor Stephen Davies

Eastington and StandishWard

Email: Cllr.stephen.davies@stroud.gov.uk

Tel: 07802 595 307

Twitter: @cllrsdavies