Hello again to the whole of Prestbury,

As we approach the recently reinstated elections for some of the Cheltenham Borough Council
seats I felt it an opportune time to outline my position.

In 2024 Prestbury re-elected me to serve as your Borough Councillor for the maximum 4-year term. Accordingly I am not up for election this time. The Council seats voted for in May will be those where Councillors secured just a 2 year term in 2024. I will have met many of you out and about in the Village over the years and I am so glad that you continue to bring me your concerns regarding the local issues important to you and your families.

Whilst sitting on Cheltenham Council and contributing to matters therein I like to focus on making a difference with the day to day issues in ‘my’ Ward. I keep my ear close to the ground to pick up
matters of concern locally including attendance (either personally or by representation) at the monthly Prestbury Parish Council general meeting in order to pick up on matters raised there.

Two big events which Prestbury is concerned about the Racecourse and the Wychwood Festival are very much on my radar every year as planning starts and then afterwards with the reviews. We have recently written a short report for the Racecourse management as to how some of their walk up customers behaved during the Festival just gone and with the help of PPC this will be part of the review process.

On roads I see that dates have, at last, been set for improving the road surface on the length of Swindon Lane. As I understand it they will be working in sections there over a 3 or 4 week period until early May.
Glebe Road flooding has been on my radar since I first came into office. After a huge amount of pushing this has now been sorted – not without a last minute hitch when one of the Contractors’ trucks ran over some of the work just completed ! Hey ho ! CBC are now chasing the contractor for reimbursement for the repairs
Another long term ‘project’ was getting a much improved footpath facility on the way out of the village and towards Southam but as with many other road issues locally this was delayed due to the overriding influence of the Cycle Way installation on Evesham Rd and up to Bishops Cleeve. Now that is virtually complete, thank goodness, other issues previously at a standstill should start to move again. I will be watching.
Among other items on my desk now are checking out what is going on with overhanging trees
(from properties owned by GCC) on Blacksmiths Lane and seeing if we can do something about the signage on and the approach to the Tatchley roundabout – not sure what we can achieve but I am having a go.

As a long term local resident I feel privileged to be in a position to continue working hard for Prestbury throughout my term – you know where I am if you need to contact me.

All Good Wishes
Stan
(Councillor Stan Smith – PAB)