Lydney councillors back new mower and town centre funding, debate community assets and highlight anti-social behaviour concerns

Full Council – Monday 14th July 2025, 7pm–9:10pm

Lydney Town Council met on Monday 14th July, with councillors discussing highways, local developments, community assets, and plans for town improvements.

Key decisions and updates

• Highways and traffic
  • Cllr Howard met with the Lydney Highways Manager to discuss 2025/26 priorities. Speed surveys will be carried out in some areas, with the potential for Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) that display number plates of speeding drivers.
    
  • Traffic light safety measures were also discussed: if a car runs a red light, both sets of lights lock on red until reset.
• Local Development and Community Assets
  • Updates were given on Grove Lane development, with ecological concerns possibly affecting plans.
    
  • The District Council confirmed that despite previous NHS objections, changes in law mean the council could reapply to register the Newerne Street GP Surgery as a Community Asset.
    
  • The council agreed not to re-register Lydney & District Hospital as a Community Asset at this time.
• Forest gateway project
  • Cllr R Holmes reported on discussions with West Dean Parish Council. Objections have been raised over ecology concerns, and independent surveys of bats, dormice, flora, and fauna could cost around £17,000.
• Finance
  • Payments totalling £34,962.98 were approved.
    
  • Income and expenditure reports, earmarked reserves, and bank reconciliations were all approved.
    
  • VAT payments for Quarter 1 were noted.
• Committee reports and community issues
  • Anti-social behaviour at East Marsh continues to be a problem, with reports of litter, fires, and camps.
    
  • The Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) consultation closes 22nd July, with further feedback to be gathered at the Summer Community Event on 19th July. A follow-up Zoom meeting will take place on 5th August.
    
  • Councillors were reminded to support the Summer Community Event, which will feature pirate shows and craft activities.
• Strategic planning and policies
  • Strategic Plan 2023–2030 was updated, with some targets moving from red to amber.
    
  • Biodiversity Duty Policy was reviewed and unchanged.
    
  • An Information Technology (IT) Policy was adopted.
    
  • Budget consultation for 2026/27 will run from 16th July to 12th September 2025.
• Equipment and assets
  • A new 5-year lease for an updated office photocopier was approved.
    
  • A 5-year hire purchase agreement for a Kubota F391 sit-on mower was approved. Councillors also requested costings for fitting trackers to vehicles.
    
  • The council agreed to contribute £1,500 towards a Logic Sweeper purchased by Lydney Recreation Trust.
    
  • Decisions on upgrading office IT systems and buying a new multi-use vehicle were deferred to September to allow time for further quotes and feedback.
• Grant applications and funding
  • The council’s application for outdoor fitness equipment at the Mesne was unsuccessful, so the item was withdrawn.
    
  • Councillors agreed to continue pursuing the Town Centre Improvement Fund with FoDDC officers.
• Consultations
  • For the FoDDC Local Plan 2021–2043, councillors agreed to request an extension to the end of September and to delegate the response to the Regeneration Committee.

Final Notes

• Next Full Council meeting: Monday 8th September 2025, 7pm at Claremont House.
  
• Reminder: Lydney Summer Community Event takes place Saturday 19th July at Bathurst Park.

The meeting closed at 9:10pm.