First of all, I must apologise for last month’s misinformation about Post Office facilities in Prestbury. I received an email from the Post Office on 12th September asking me to spread the word. Unfortunately I didn’t receive a follow up to say it wasn’t happening! I hope no-one was inconvenienced.

Prestbury this month has been dominated by roadworks. With the roadworks on the A435, it seems as if many drivers are not following the designated diversion on A roads, but cutting across Southam Lane and down the hill to the Noverton Lane roundabout. Half-term week was particularly bad as there were temporary traffic lights in the High Street and severe congestion. I spoke to an officer from the Highways department but apparently they don’t have the authority either to impose a lower speed limit on the hill or to restrict access.

On the subject of roads, I know that many Prestbury residents are concerned by speeding, particularly in Mill Lane. Would a 20 mph limit be the answer? Please let me have your views.

Heavy rain in October inconvenienced many, as Lake Street and Blacksmiths Lane again became ponds with inadequate drainage. Please, keep reporting problems on https://www.fixmystreet.com/ and I will keep badgering the County Council and Highways Department on your behalf.

Cheltenham residents have until 21st November to express their views on a Public spaces protection order (PSPO) consultation – Town Centre East car park. The link is at https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/21/consultations.

The next Green Councillor Surgery is at the library on November 16th. In the meantime if you want to contact me the email is cllr.jan.foster@cheltenham.gov.uk or phone 07858865821.

The post Prestbury Ward News – October ’24 appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

Compared with towns of a similar size, Cheltenham has a good range of sports and recreation facilities. We have plenty of green spaces within the town and the Cotswold hills are on our doorstep. We also have several sports fields and tennis courts dotted across the town, as well as the amazing Lido.

For over 40 years, we have also benefited from the Leisure Centre and the Prince of Wales Stadium. These were some of the best facilities in the country when they opened. For instance, very few leisure centres around the country have a diving pool and even fewer towns have a dedicated athletics stadium. Sadly, both are now in urgent need of significant investment.

The running track is no longer up to the required standard and until it is resurfaced it will not be able to host some athletic meets. The state of the leisure centre building means it is increasingly blighted with closures due to emergency structural work. Compared with towns of a similar size, Cheltenham has a good range of sports and recreation facilities. We have plenty of green spaces within the town and the Cotswold hills are on our doorstep.

The Cheltenham Trust does an amazing job to operate both aging facilities but without the right level of investment coming from the council, I do worry for the future of our sport and leisure in our town. The council needs to start explaining to the people of Cheltenham what they intend to do and how they will find the money needed.

Extreme weather needs to be treated like Covid

The leisure centre wasn’t the only building to suffer as a result of the almost biblical rains we have had in recent weeks. Much of Cheltenham was affected with roads flooded, roofs leaking, trains cancelled and schools closed.

Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common. One report from the UN has estimated they has quadrupled in the last 50 years.

The world, led by governments such as our own, needs to treat this with the same seriousness as it did for Covid. Many of the key issues the world is facing today such as immigration, wars and famine are directly or indirectly due to climate change. The world came together to find a solution to Covid and it has to do the same when it comes to dealing with the climate emergency.

Natalie Bennett coming to Cheltenham

Former Green Party leader, Baroness Bennett, will be coming to Cheltenham on the 29th October.

The event will be held at the Steam and Whistle pub near the train station and will start at 7.30pm.
Tickets are on sale now https://allevents.in/cheltenham/300040073712

The post The Future of Sport and Leisure Facilities in Cheltenham appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

Post Office:- Great news – Prestbury is to have a ‘light’ Post Office Service on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at ‘Dearly Pre-Loved’ on the High Street, for parcels, bill payments and phone top-ups. See here for more info: Consultation Hub – Prestbury High St Drop & Collect GL52 3AR. Spread the word!

Idsall Drive and The Bank:- A planning application has been submitted for Idsall Drive car park site, Ref No: 24/01353/FUL, for one dwelling. People are already concerned about access to The Bank and Idsall Drive being restricted by builders’ lorries if permission is granted. The parking management team have been informed of these fears and residents should contact the police if the builders break highway laws.

Trees:- Sadly we’ve lost a couple of mature trees in the village recently. The Borough Council have adopted an updated Tree Inspection Protocol which includes an Ash Die-back Management Plan to help look after all the trees for which they are responsible.

Highways:- I know that some of Prestbury’s pavements and roads are in a bad state. I have reported pavement potholes on Fix My Street and I regularly badger our County Councillor about the state of our roads. I am assured that something will be done about them, eventually.

Consultation: – the Borough Council are currently having a public consultation on the Council Tax Support Scheme 2025-2026, at https://www.cheltenham.gov.uk/info/21/consultations. This is a chance for Cheltenham residents to give their views, whether or not they are claiming the benefit. The consultation closes on 4th October so don’t delay!

Surgeries:- My next surgery is on Saturday September 21st, 10.00 -12.00 at the library. It’s always nice to meet people and hear what’s on your minds. You can also contact me by email at cllr.jan.foster@cheltenham.gov.uk.

Kind regards,
Jan Foster,
Green Councillor for Prestbury.

The post Prestbury Ward News — September ‘24 appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

The Budget at the end of October will set the course for the rest of this parliament. Green MPs do not accept the need for public spending cuts. On the 4th July, the public didn’t vote for things to get worse.

We want a bold budget for investment in our broken public services and the green economy of the future. By increasing taxes on the wealthiest and reforming the entire system, we can avoid slashing public spending or cuts to winter fuel allowance. This fairer approach will also deliver something that is in short supply in Labour’s plans – real hope.

The Green Party wants tax changes to generate the funds needed to increase public health budgets to 2015/16 levels and boost GP funding; enable the government to restore social care charging reforms; restore and increase funding for nature-friendly farming and embark on a major programme of home insulation.

We need to invest in defending public services and protecting our environment – and we can do so with some changes to the tax system to ask the wealthiest in society to pay a little more. These tax changes are modest by the standards of many other European countries who recognise that having high quality public services and a greener economy needs investment.

This government risks pushing more people into poverty. They have removed winter fuel payments for pensioners and won’t budge on the cruel two-child benefit cap. Meanwhile, our NHS is severely overstretched, and this government has reduced funding for nature-friendly farming, just as this crucial scheme was starting to take off.

We can tackle poverty and inequality, improve wellbeing and protect our environment. These are political choices.

There are several vital proposals that Green MPs are calling for in the October budge, including:

• Introduce a wealth tax on multi-millionaires and billionaires
• Reform Capital Gains Tax so it aligns with income tax rates 
• Align tax rates on investment income with National Insurance rates on employment income  
• Remove the Upper Earnings Limit on National Insurance – stopping the tax break for higher earners. 
• Reform inheritance tax, ensuring that intergenerational transfers of wealth are taxed more fairly 
• Close the loopholes in the fossil windfall tax 
• Raise fuel duty to speed up the move to electric vehicles and generate funds to invest in public transport, active travel and fixing our potholed roads

The post The Country Voted for Change and Hope. When Does it Begin? appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

This is a man without morals, who presided over a shambolic administration. The Conservatives have been voted out locally both at borough Council level, where they no longer have any councillors; and at Westminster, having lost their MP in July’s election.

You are not welcome here. Go and promote your book elsewhere Mr Johnson.

Protect Hardwick Green

The University of Gloucestershire’s Hardwick campus, situated in Cheltenham’s St Paul’s area, has been put up for sale. The field on the campus, Hardwick Green, is publicly accessible for now, but will be lost if the sale goes ahead and the planning is approved for 12 houses to be built on the Green.

Whilst we do not object to the sale of the site and the re-development of new housing on the space which is already built upon, we do object to any loss of the Green. It is the only green space within the boundaries of St Paul’s. It provides flood mitigation, urban cooling and an important recreational space for local residents.

Planners must also consider the impact the new housing will have on traffic and parking. Swindon Road is already one of the busiest cut-through roads in the town and the lack of parking in around Marsh Lane which borders the Green is already creating issues for locals. The St Paul’s Green Party councillors will be doing all they can to protect the area.

Where Are All The Insects?

The lack of insects this summer should be concern to us all. The UK ranks among the the bottom 10% of countries globally for biodiversity, with over 40% of all UK species experiencing significant population decline. One estimate puts insect numbers as being down 90-95% compared with a century ago. This matters. Insects support plant and crop pollination and are vital food source for many mammals. I have heard little on biodiversity from the Labour government so far. This must change.

The post Cheltenham Doesn’t Need Nor Want a Visit from Boris Johnson appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

The Government Needs to Pledge to Continue Nature-Friendly Farming Support

A new Natural England report that found nature-friendly farming schemes have boosted biodiversity which is to be welcomed. The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and we urgently need to address the enormous risk that habitat and biodiversity loss poses to our future.

Most farmers want to do the right thing for nature and this report clearly shows that government support for nature-friendly farming pays off. Now we need to see more of it.

Farmers need reassurance, certainty, and easier access to funding for nature-friendly farming, so it is very disappointing that the Labour Government has so far refused to commit to maintaining the level of support payments.

The Green Party is urging the government to show leadership and not only commit to maintaining the current level of funding, but to listen to the many calls, including from the RSPB, National Trust and The Wildlife Trusts, for a massive increase in nature-friendly farming support.

We do not have to have an ‘either or’ between nature restoration and food production. With more leadership from the Government, we can achieve both.

It’s Time Cross Country Trains Should Lose its Licence to Operate

The fact Cross Country Trains, which is the main train operator using Cheltenham Spa station, is having to implement a reduced timetable due to performance failures, should prompt the new government to look to remove its licence once and for all.

Cross Country has been one of the worst performing train operators in the country in recent years. It is another example of failed privatisation. And rather than fares which subsidise the dividends of its parent company, Deutsche Bahn, it is time we had a service which is reliable and owned and run for the good of the country.

The post Have Your Say On The Cyber Park Plans appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

It was lovely to chat to so many people last month at my first surgery at the library. Also, thanks to all the Prestbury residents who have contacted me over the last month, or stopped me on the footpath. It’s great that so many people care about the community and can be bothered to try to fix things.

Many people are concerned about traffic problems such as speeding, inconsiderate parking and air quality. Uneven pavements and impassable footpaths are also hot topics. I have arranged to meet up with County Councillor Stephan Fifield to discuss what can be done to improve traffic related problems.

Although Prestbury has a rural village atmosphere, we share some of the same problems as more urban wards, such as litter, fly-tipping and graffiti. I was shocked to find a heavy duty bag of rubbish concealed among weeds on Priors Road and sad to have to report graffiti in a different location in Prestbury.

We tend to blame litter on the anti-social few. However, the Green Councillors had a really interesting meeting with the Environmental Partnerships manager recently and learned that some litter is simply caused by thoughtlessness – like not folding cardboard to fit properly into the blue bags so that it then won’t fit into the unit on the lorry, or overfilling the recycling box. A household may have up to four green boxes, so if you need more you can phone 01242 262626 or email cleansing@cheltenham.gov.uk.

On a positive note, homeowners might like to check out the Future Fit Homes project to get expert advice on how to lower their energy bills by making their home ‘future fit’. Information is at Planet Cheltenham.

I will be holding surgeries at the library on the third Saturday of the month. Even if you have no pressing concerns, feel free to come and say ‘Hello’!

Kind regards,
Jan Foster,
Green Councillor for Prestbury.

The post Our First Prestbury Newsletter appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

Many of us have been watching the Olympics in Paris and cheering on team GB. Aside from the sporting excellence on show, the UK should look to replicate some of the amazing policies the French are adopting when it comes to the environment. All could and should be implemented here.

Investment In Rivers

The Triathlon was part-hosted in the river Seine following huge investment to clean it up. In 1923, swimming in the Seine was outlawed as the river was so filthy. Over a century later, it is clean enough for the Olympics. If Paris can, so can London and other UK cities.

Reusable Packaging

If you walk into any eatery in France, even in fast-food restaurants such as McDonald’s, your meal will be served in ‘reusable packaging’ – usually just a plate and cutlery. Since it was introduced in January 2023, it has been estimated they are saving 180,000 tonnes of packaging every year. We should look to copy the ban on all single-use packaging for eat-in sales to help tackle the climate crisis. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental issues we face. Yet in hundreds of thousands of cafes, bars and restaurants across the UK, we’re still being served food and drink in single-use packaging – even when we are eating in.

Tackle Fast Fashion

France plans to introduce a law which will force fast fashion producers to inform customers about the environmental impact of their clothing. A surcharge linked to fast fashion’s ecological footprint starting at around £4 and rising to £10 per item will then be introduced.

Prioritise Circular Economy

France has introduced grants to support covering the cost of repair for shoes and clothing as well as for electronic gadgets and appliances. We do not need to buy new all of the time. For many goods it should become the exception not the rule.

Fruit & Veg Packaging

Stop using plastic in packaging on fruit and vegetables. France started banning the use of plastic wrapping on fruit and vegetables in supermarkets two years ago and will have a complete ban by 2026.

Domestic Flights

Stop short-haul domestic flights where train journeys are as quick, if not quicker, door to door. France successfully introduced this last year, and we should look to do the same.

Kind regards,
Daniel Wilson,
Parliamentary Candidate for Cheltenham Green Party.

The post We Can Learn Lots From France… appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

A major factor for the result was the utter contempt the public had for the Conservatives. As such, the Labour government has a lot to prove in the coming months and years. The vote certainly shouldn’t be seen as an endorsement of their lacklustre manifesto. I fear Labour’s pledges will do little to solve the many crises the country faces, be that in the NHS, housing, poverty, the environment, transport, energy, or foreign policy. I hope for the country’s sake I am proved wrong.

I also want to congratulate Max Wilkinson. He had a resounding win in Cheltenham. The Lib Dems now have the MP, as well as the majority of the county and borough councillors for Cheltenham. They must deliver as there is no longer anyone else to blame.

We need to see the cyber park completed on time and on budget. We need to see our hospital services restored and we need to see our town’s needs being met on housing, jobs, the environment and nature. This rests on the Lib Dems’ shoulders now. The Cheltenham Green Party and I will offer our support but be assured we will also call them out when they are getting it wrong.

The Greens are coming…

The Green Party continues to win across the country. In 2019 we won just one seat, we now have four and have gained an additional 1m votes. Thank you to all the members, volunteers and the voters who supported me to stand at this election. We received a record vote share, which is particularly encouraging when we know many voted tactically in Cheltenham to bring down the Conservative Government. Just imagine what will be possible at the next result now the need to tactically vote is over…

Thank You, Alex Chalk.

Party politics to one side, I want to thank Alex Chalk for what he has done for Cheltenham over the past nine years. Having campaigned, won three general elections and served the town for that long is to be commended. He helped put Cheltenham on the map within Westminster and was the first local MP to become a Cabinet minister. I sincerely hope he will not be the last. Thank you for your efforts, Alex. You leave big shoes for Max to fill.

The post Things Can Only Get Better… appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.

It has been the same two-horse political race in Cheltenham for too long.

You can change that on July 4th.

History has shown us this can happen. In 1997, the Green Party polled 2.7% of the vote in Brighton Pavilion. 13 years later Caroline Lucas was elected as the first Green MP to an area which had historically been a Labour-Conservative battleground.

The change has already started to happen in Cheltenham. The Greens last month won more councillors than the Conservatives in the local elections, polling a record 10,000 votes – or 16%. And we have been the only party to beat the Lib Dems in recent council ward elections in the town, making us the official opposition.

You do not need to vote tactically. If ever there was a time to go with your heart, this is it.

The Tories and the Lib Dems have failed Cheltenham.

We cannot forget it was the Lib Dems in coalition with the Tories who introduced the policy of austerity, devastating our public services. Before 2010, Cheltenham didn’t have food banks. We had a functioning A&E and a booming high street.

The town has also been let down on the environment. Last year there was the equivalent to 186 days’ worth of sewage discharges in the rivers around Cheltenham – the biggest being in Andoversford which recorded an outrageous 87 days alone. This cannot go on.

Only the Greens have the courage to be honest about the environment and the failings of Brexit, while the other parties simply bury their heads in the sand.

We have a plan for ambitious action on the issues you care about, such as the NHS, housing and education. To fund this change, we will ask the very richest in society to pay a little more. Britain is the fifth richest country in the world, it is time everyone felt the benefits of that.

For the first time in 14 years, you don’t need to choose the lesser of two evils. Vote for a party you actually believe in.

Vote Daniel Wilson on the 4th July.

Key Pledges from The Green Party Manifesto

The NHS:
With an additional £30bn per year funding commitment, only the Green party is putting forward the levels of money required to ensure the NHS, its doctors and nurses and the building they work in can provide a world-class, free at the point of delivery service.

Social Care:
We are committing an additional £20bn funding per year to provide free personal care for all and to ensure care workers are paid fairly for their important work.

Housing:
We would spend £12bn on social housing and provide an additional £17bn in grants to private homeowners to better insulate Britain’s homes, reducing energy use and bills. We would also commit to building 150,000 social homes per year, every year. We would ban no fault evictions and introduce rent price controls.

Schools:
We would provide free school meals for all children because no one can learn when they are hungry. We would also fund breakfast clubs for all primary school children. We would correct the below-inflation pay awards for teachers by allocating £2bn of funding to stop the staff churn currently negatively affecting schools.

Universities:
The Green Party would abolish tuition fees and restore grants. Education should be free for all.

The Environment:
We want a net-zero society before 2040. We would invest in green energy, aiming for wind farms to provide 70% of our power by 2030, up from 20% in 2023. We would introduce Rights to Nature Act to protect the environment from being exploited for economic gain. We would nationalise the water companies.

Brexit:
Starting with the customs union, we would rejoin the EU as quickly as possible.

Transport:
We would invest in the bus infrastructure and nationalise the train network to ensure our public transport is affordable and delivers the service needed to tempt people out of their cars.

Defence:
We would stop Britain’s nuclear programme, saving £2bn per year.

Benefits:
We would scrap the two-child benefit cap, which would help lift 250,000 children out of poverty.

Immigration:
We would scrap the Rwanda scheme and re-establish safe routes for those fleeing persecution or environmental catastrophe.

Taxation:
We would introduce taxes on the wealthiest in society, raising unprecedented levels of money to pay for all the above.

The post Real Hope. Real Change. For a Fairer, Greener Cheltenham. appeared first on Cheltenham Green Party.