Statement on Outside Dining in the Market Place

Posted on By Town Clerk

Published by Northleach with Eastington Town Council on 12 October 2022.

The Town Council at its meeting on 28 September 2022 resolved to support an outline proposal from Cotswold District Councillor Tony Dale to widen the pavement on the Market Place.

The reasons given were that the pavement extension would benefit the community, especially the most vulnerable who would benefit from a safer environment and residents who enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that a pavement hospitality scene generates.

Gloucestershire Highways has been informed and we are awaiting further information from them on the design and costs of the scheme.

The Town Council appreciates that many people value the outside dining space while others are concerned about the loss of parking spaces. We have been working with all parties to try and find the best possible outcome for the town.

The tables and chairs on the Market Place were introduced during the pandemic after new laws simplified the process for issuing pavement licences. Grant monies were available to provide planters and barriers around the tables and chairs, and Town Council officers put considerable efforts into developing the scheme. Unfortunately, a second pavement licence was refused by Cotswold District Council and we learned that the first licence had been issued incorrectly. The legal department at Gloucestershire Highways has advised there is no legislation permitting tables and chairs on the carriageway. The Town Council felt it could not justify spending public money on the scheme when permission could be withdrawn at any moment.

We now know that the existing licence was not withdrawn but has not been renewed by Cotswold District Council. The Town Council is supporting the proposal to widen the pavement which would allow for pavement licences to be issued in the future and will share further information as it becomes available.

Any questions about pavement licences should be directed to Cotswold District Council.

ENDS

For information about the work of the Town Council, please contact us.

Help Save the Black Cat Café

Posted on By Town Clerk

“More than just a cup of coffee”

*** THIS SURVEY HAS NOW CLOSED, thank you to all who responded ***

At the meeting on 28 September, the Town Council heard from residents how much they missed the Black Cat Café since it had ceased trading last month.

A group of people are trying to put a rescue package together, working with the directors of the café business, and the Town Council resolved to support the effort.

A questionnaire is the first step. We would like to determine the level of support for acquiring the building as a community asset and launching a new café business. We would also like to hear from anyone who feels they can help.

Take the survey

There is less time than we hoped to save the café. We have been tasked with producing a complete business plan by Friday 21st October, so please complete your questionnaire as soon as possible. Paper copies were printed with a deadline of 30 October, before this was known.

Paper copies of the questionnaire are being distributed to households across the parish and can be returned to the collection box in Fruitcakes. Every household in town, and as many supporters of the café as we can reach, will be asked to complete one questionnaire, ideally capturing the input of the whole household, not just the individual completing the form. 

It would be very helpful if you could complete your response online, as this will save us time when collating the results. Click the button below to access the questionnaire online.

Take the survey

The questionnaire has been produced by Northleach with Eastington Town Council. Responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide your name. Any personal data will be handled securely and in line with the council’s privacy policy.

The results of the survey will be published by the Town Council in due course.

Stagecoach Bus Update New Service – S2

Posted on By Admin Officer

Important Information for People who used the Stagecoach 853 Service serving Northleach (Cheltenham – Witney – Oxford)

New Service – S2

S2 – The S2 will now run from Oxford to Witney and Curbridge every hour and extend to Cheltenham every 2 hours.

This bus will no longer serve Carterton but alternative connections are available on the S1 and 233.

This revised S2 replaces services 853 and S2X which will be withdrawn.

View S2 timetable

Remembrance Day Sunday 13th November 2022

Posted on By Admin Officer

The traditional open air service in Northleach to mark Remembrance will be held at 10:50 on Sunday 13th November 2022 beside the War Memorial at the Market Place. Residents are warmly invited to join us to mark the occasion.

The Market Place will be the subject of a road closure order for the duration of the ceremony. The temporary road closure will ensure that people can pay their respects without the noise of passing cars or risk of traffic accident. The closure order will apply to the Market Place and West End between the Market Place and Cotswold Hall. The closure will be in place for just the short period of the ceremony itself and the Town Council hopes that no one will be too badly inconvenienced by these arrangements. Please ensure that all vehicles required to be used during this time are removed prior to the order taking effect. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained.

Public notices advising of the road closure will go up shortly and a copy of the legal order can be found below.

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Notice of Vacancy in the Office of Councillor

Posted on By Admin Officer

NOTICE is given that, due to the resignation of Mark Ogden, a vacancy has arisen for a Councillor for the Town Council.
The vacancy will be filled by election if a request from 10 local government electors for the Town is received within 14 working days of the date of this notice. The request must be received by 13th October 2022.

Requests should include each electors’ name and address and should be sent to the Chief Executive at the address below or by email to elections@cotswold.gov.uk
If an election is called, it will take place not later than 15th December 2022.

If 10 signatures are not received by the date given, the Town Council may fill the vacancy by co-option.  For further information please email the Town Clerk. clek@northleach.gov.uk

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Road Closure – A429 Cirencester to Northleach

Posted on By Admin Officer

GLOUCESTERSHIRE HIGHWAYS ROAD CLOSURE RESCHEDULED – A429 Cirencester to Northleach

This road will be closed (as per the plan) from 22/09/22 to 30/09/22 to allow for urgent ash dieback tree work by Gloucestershire Highways.  There will be a rolling road closure along this stretch of road.  These roadworks have been rescheduled.  

Emergency access will be maintained.

Please find FAQ and a letter from the Communication Officer explaining the importance of the works below.

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If you should require further information please email streetworks@gloucestershire.gov.uk