Gloucestershire’s elected and appointed public service managers have taken a bit of a beating in recent months.  First County leader Mark Hawthorne was told his Library cuts were unlawful and bad government.   Then NHS boss Jan Stubbings had to concede defeat over her plans for a Community Interest Company to run NHS services.   Now the County Council is considering a raft of main modifications to its Waste Core Strategy (WCS) at the request of the Government’s Inspector. 

On Saturday 28th January 2012 we undertook a residents survey in Minchinhampton (Brimscombe). We asked what residents thought about a range of views and policies.

An Inspector Calls
(With apologies to Mr Priestly)
Only this time he will be investigating a conspiracy to bury us alive in
paperwork.
The Examination In Public (EIP) of Gloucestershire County Council's (GCC) Waste Core Strategy (WCS) takes place at the Shire Hall from January 31st to February 9th. The Green Party will be the only political party participating in the discussion about this strategy, which will form a major part of the planning framework against which waste treatment planning applications are considered, including, if they proceed, the County Council's own plans for a Mass Burn Incinerator (MBI) at Javelin Park (JP).

Stroud District Green Party has called for the government to back up
its announcement of the South West Marine Energy Park with investment
in green energy.

The Green Party has cried foul on Stroud District Council's decision
to allocate five times as much money to celebrating the Queen's
diamond jubilee and the Olympic Games this year than to tackling
homelessness.

Stroud District Green Party has said public sector workers are right
to strike over pensions this Wednesday (30/11).

"The Government is complaining about a one-day strike, but we are
complaining about their stealing our pensions forever," said Stroud
Mayor John Marjoram, who is also a Green Party councillor for Trinity
Ward in the town.

Green County Councillor  Sarah Lunnon (Stroud East) writes to the local press:

On Wednesday 16th November 2011, His Honour Judge McKenna ruled that both Gloucestershire and Somerset County Councils had failed to take account of their equalities duties when pushing through the cuts to their library services, condemning both councils’ approach as “bad Government”, and that it was “important to the Rule of Law” that the decisions be quashed. 

Green Party District Councillor for Randwick, Whiteshill and Ruscombe ward, Philip Booth, writes to the local press:

Dear Sir or Madam,

We are facing a growing and deeply shocking housing crisis of monstrous proportions. Despite the best efforts of Stroud District Council to support those who have a difficulty, central government are sleepwalking, no running, into a housing timebomb.

Britain may be building too many waste facilities as a report out today (October 28 2011) forecasts an oversupply of residual waste treatment infrastructure by 2020 - even as early as 2015 in certain areas. 

Following a visit to London, Stroud District Councillor Martin Whiteside (Green, Thrupp) has praised the Occupy The London Stock Exchange protesters camped outside St Paul's Cathedral in London, describing them as "inspirational".
"What really hits you is the the atmosphere of sharing and tolerance:
they are really trying to create a caring, tolerant community," Martin said.
"Food was being shared among those present, it really felt like the
loaves and fishes in action!
"The camp is incredibly well organised, with about 100 tiny tents and then larger ones for information, first aid, meditation, a library, canteen, recycling, portaloos; there are even lectures by lecturers from nearby universities.
"The protesters don't expect easy answers, but they are driven by a realisation that there is something very wrong in a society where the bankers, who have a significant responsibility for the crisis, take home millions in bonuses, while those least responsible may go cold and hungry this winter.
Martin questioned the decision by the cathedral authorities to close it to the public.
"I was not convinced by the need to close St Paul's on health and safety grounds.
"The protesters have done everything the fire service asked in terms of allowing safe access.
"St Paul's and our other churches have managed to stay open throughout history under very much more difficult circumstances; this seems a pretty sad excuse to me.
He urged others to go and visit the protesters for themselves. "If you want to make up your own mind, go and have a look for yourself, have a cup of tea in the tent and talk to those involved: I think you will be inspired."
Martin was echoing Green Party leader and MP Caroline Lucas who said last week: "The camp that has been set up a stone's throw from London Stock Exchange is an opportunity to explore a different kind of future to the one the mainstream political parties have constructed."
Occupations are continuing in various parts of the world including Bristol.