You Said We Did Q&A Response - Part 4

Here are some more of your questions, which we have responded to:

What are the plans for improving children's play parks in Cirencester? 

Play parks are an important part of our open spaces across Cirencester, as such we have set up a Play Spaces Advisory Group, including residents with children. We are hoping to have some funding in 2026-27 to improve some of our play parks and also, through our Green Spaces Strategy.

Why is there no budget/ low budget for flowers around Cirencester similar to other local towns i.e. Tewkesbury?

We work with the Phoenix Gardeners, to provide planters and hanging baskets throughout the town, and spend several thousand pounds on plants with volunteers doing the planting.                  

Would you consider putting up security cameras in the play parks around Cirencester to monitor anti-social behaviour?                                                   

We have and we do. If you are concerned about a specific park or play area please contact us and the Police.                                                                   

Why on earth is there very few baby changing areas?

We have baby changing facilities in the Abbey Grounds and Bingham House; public toilet provision and facilities such as baby changing is on our radar, as part of local government reorganisation and devolution.               

Please can you do something about the litter in our streets.                                       

We currently spend around £5k on clearing litter from Town Council sites and some of the town centre; Cotswold District Council is responsible for street cleaning, a service which the Town Council may consider taking on under Local Government Reorganisation and devolution in Gloucestershire.                                                                                     

What are you doing about the anti-social behaviour ruining our town?           

We are working with our partners such as the Police and local schools, using social media and funding youth workers through The Door.      

Please could you provide seating in areas such as the path between Millennium /Century and Kingshill School and the Windmill Meadow between Watermoor School and the rear of Kingshill?

This has been passed onto our Land and Property Team to consider for 2026-27.

Are we ever likely to get a cinema? 

There are various development sites in Cirencester which could be viable for a cinema, but with ones close by in Stroud, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Swindon, there needs to be a strong business case for demand. The Barn has a cinema programme and other venues in Cirencester show films, let’s use local.                                                      

When is going to get the Heras fencing removed along the Riverside walk?        

Whilst we have no direct involvement with this project, we are aware that some funding may be in place to improve this area through a local charitable trust. It is a charitable trust that is responsible for maintaining the wall.       

What action are you taking to prioritise environmental breakdown caused by the climate crisis?          

The starting point was to declare a climate emergency; we then worked with the community in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan which includes various planning policies on the environment. More recently we have developed a Green Spaces Strategy and set up a Cirencester and Churn Waterways and Environment Partnership, delivering practical projects which maximise mitigation.   

How can the traffic system in the Market Place be improved?                            

You don’t say what the issue is. Some people want less traffic in the town centre, so want to be able to park close to the shops and amenities and use the town centre as a cut through. We believe that we have got the balance about right for now, but please let us now your views.                                                                                                          

Why are there so many road closures all at the same time?  Why can’t they be staggered?    

Road closures are managed by Gloucestershire County Council; some road closures are necessary for emergency work which can have a temporary impact on other schemes planned for improving surface and flow of traffic.       

What could be done to increase the number of urban trees?        

Having a nature first destination is one of the key priorities of our Green Spaces Strategy; urban tree planting is something we can consider but with the right species and care plan in place.                                                                                   

Can we have more police walking about please?   

Our Community Services Team work closely with the Police on local priorities; the fear of crime locally can sometime be higher than actual crime and anti-social behaviour but it’s not pleasant when it happens. The Police and Crime Prevention Plan for Gloucestershire has six strategic priorities:

Priority 1: Creating safer communities

Priority 2: Tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG)

Priority 3: Strengthening your Constabulary

Priority 4: Targeting the causes of crime

Priority 5: Supporting victims and reducing reoffending

Priority 6: Improving trust and confidence in policing