More Responses Needed for 2024 - Your Participation Matters!

As we welcome a new year we continue to be bombarded with e-mails and social media messaging, some are welcome, others not so much. Some require our time, effort, and commitment and we make a judgement on which ones to respond to.

We value your feedback and we need to know that we are making the right decisions on your behalf.

Two really important consultations are live but just over 20 people have responded to our vital budget consultation and just under 60 to our vision planning green spaces consultation.

Does a low response rate mean we are on track to make the right decisions?

Please take time to share the links on your social media and any Cirencester-based social media groups.

We would like more than 250 responses to our consultations so that assessing the feedback has meaning. The budget consultation closes on Sunday 21st January with feedback being reported to the Town Council meeting on Tuesday 23rd January. Our Green Spaces consultation remains open for the time being.

https://cirencestertown.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/budget-consultation-2024-25/step1

https://cirencestertown.commonplace.is/en-GB/proposals/green-spaces-public-consultation/step1

Budget Info

Cirencester Town Council is consulting on its budget estimates for 2024-25; in 2023 the council tax was increased to fund various projects such as the town centre improvements, refurbishing the Abbey Grounds toilets, and providing new play equipment in Chesterton – these projects were all delivered and completed in 2023.

Our budget consultation is open until Sunday 21st January 2024. There are two consultations one for people aged 13-19 and another for anyone over the age of 20.

In light of the financial challenges many people continue to face at this difficult time, we are proposing to increase our expenditure where we need to and reduce it where we can.

We are also required by the External Auditor to address our low level of reserves, which will have an impact on Council Tax. We also want to build a capital investment fund in the longer term so we can continue to deliver improvements across Cirencester for the whole community.

Whilst our team of dedicated staff provides a high level of service, we believe that we can, and should, be more visible and accessible to the public, that is why we will build on the key priority for 2023-24 in improving service provision including the environment and our response to the climate emergency, the public realm and street cleaning, community safety, children and young people and day to day improvements across all our open spaces.

The Town Council receives no funding from the Government and we receive no direct funding support from either Cotswold District Council or Gloucestershire County Council; we are also limited in the type of grants we can apply for.

Our proposed 2024-25 Council Tax for a Band D household is estimated to increase by just £0.95 per week, which will deliver £1.6 million in service delivery for Cirencester, generating an income of £204k and building the general reserve by £200k.

Green Spaces Info

The Town Council's mission is to create high-quality, safe, attractive, and inclusive parks, gardens, playgrounds, and green amenity areas in Cirencester, whilst preserving and strengthening the natural habitats and biodiversity of council owned sites.

We will achieve this by developing The Green Spaces Strategy, an evidence-based strategy that will provide a set of guidance and strategic visioning documents to shape the future of Cirencester's green spaces. We believe that it is vital to incorporate the input and opinions of the community throughout this process, which is why we are inviting all residents to participate in a survey dedicated to Cirencester's open spaces.

Key Objectives: Our strategic work encompasses several key outcome objectives:

1. Enhancing the Amphitheatre:

We will review and update the Amphitheatre Masterplan, preparing an action plan that incorporates a feasibility study and priority projects. Our aim is to revitalise this outdoor space, making it a hub of community activities and events.

2. Vision work for the Abbey Grounds:

The creation of a Masterplan for the Abbey Grounds and an accompanying action plan, complete with a feasibility study and priority projects, will be instrumental in rejuvenating this historical and beautiful area. We are committed to unlocking its full potential for residents and visitors alike.

3. Assessing the State of Green Spaces:

We acknowledge the importance of understanding current environmental and social concerns related to green spaces across Cirencester. Through sustainable management practices, we will identify areas where improvements can be made, particularly in enhancing biodiversity, mitigating climate change impacts, and promoting community engagement.

4. Generating Income Opportunities:

As we plan for the future use of the Council's green spaces, we recognise the potential for generating income that can contribute to their sustainable maintenance and development. Exploring opportunities in this regard will be an essential part of our strategy.

5. Climate Change Resilience:

Our natural and built environments must withstand the impacts of climate change. By adopting resilient practices, we can ensure that our green spaces serve as resilient spaces for generations to come.

6. Communication and Engagement:

We firmly believe that effective communication with the public is crucial to successfully manage and steward our open spaces. We are committed to implementing a comprehensive communications strategy that informs and engages residents, and encourages their active participation.

Your Participation Matters:

To make this vision a reality, we invite all residents of Cirencester to take part in our survey. Your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions are invaluable in shaping the future of our open spaces. We genuinely value your input and believe that by working together, we can create a greener, more inclusive, and thriving Cirencester.

Thank you for participating and engaging in our consultation and survey. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and the exciting developments that lie ahead.