Coleford councillors back new active travel plans, approve cemetery improvements and debate community awards

Full Council – Tuesday 8th July 2025, 7pm–9pm

Coleford Town Council met on Tuesday 8th July with Councillors discussing a wide range of community matters, from staff appraisals and Active Travel projects to memorial benches and local awards.

Key Decisions and Updates

• Staff appraisals
  The Town Clerk confirmed that appraisals had been completed for the Assistant Clerk and Administrator. Both will receive a one-point salary increase in line with contracts. A review process will be looked into for Admin Officer K Hughes.

• Flag flying requests
  Councillors agreed that in future the Union Flag should fly on the Clock Tower throughout Armed Forces Week, while the Pride flag will be flown either side of this week and for the whole of June at Bells Field.

• Active travel project
  Progress was reported on the cycle and walking path. To manage costs, the scheme will now be split into three phases, with work linked to funding from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.

  • CTC will fund the project, but long-term maintenance will remain with the landowner (FoDDC).
    
  • The Co-op section will be held back for possible action later due to high legal fees.

• Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) applications
  Councillors discussed three potential projects, including a “pocket park” with an industrial-meets-nature theme linked to the Railway Museum. Local schools and artists may be involved in shaping the design. The Council team has delegated authority to develop the application.

• Cemetery projects

  • Concerns were raised about water damage affecting the Cemetery plinth mural. Councillors agreed to rethink the project and possibly halt it if necessary.
    
  • A request for a memorial bench in the Garden of Remembrance was approved, with the condition that it could be moved in future if the area is extended.
    
  • A new noticeboard will be installed at the Cemetery, with an oak frame and green background, subject to checking existing storage.
    
  • Councillors reaffirmed the policy that memorial benches are only allowed in the Cemetery, not in the town centre.

• Other local matters

  • A bench request in Sylvan Close was approved, with fencing to be installed by TEK Fencing including anti-vandal wire.
    
  • Phone boxes: one in Coalway may be relocated within the parish, while the Sunnybank box will be sold to Greenacres for £250, with removal and land restoration to be completed within six months.
    
  • The King George V pavilion’s electrical safety certificate (EICR) has been completed and urgent items addressed. The clock will also be repaired.
    
  • A proposal for an Angus Buchanan bust was declined due to cost.

• Speed limit review
  Councillors will consider supporting 20mph zones where evidence or statistics show a clear need.

• Community & awards

  • The GGP Community Builder scheme was deemed district-wide and not a priority for CTC at present.
    
  • The Council decided not to fund sponsorship of the Forest Review Local Heroes Mayor’s Award, as it duplicates Coleford’s own community awards. However, they will nominate Erin Burke as “Sporting Hero” and Cllr Nick Penny will attend.
    
  • Cllr M Getgood was nominated to speak at a forthcoming Climate Adaptation Workshop.

• Citizen visioning
  Six councillors attended the final presentation. While feedback was mixed on the process, the passion of participants was noted. A formal report is expected by the end of July.

• Police update
  Police statistics were noted. Concerns were raised about drug use and dealing in the town. Coleford has been added to the national “Summer Blitz” scheme.

• Policies

  • The Document Retention Policy will now keep safeguarding records for 30 years, in line with insurance requirements.
    
  • The Council adopted a new Expenses Policy, including mileage incentives for car-sharing.

Final Notes

The meeting closed at 8:46pm.