The Progressive Independents

Working together for our district

Truly Independent politicians for The Forest of Dean District Council.

election news

On your Marks,, Set ,,,,,,, After you !

Thank you all for the contact and the questions following our post about forming an official party or group to fight all elections. Its heartening to know that so many of you think the same as we do . We continue to work towards this but as you can imagine , its not an straightforward path.

Its important we get on with forming a party with elections on many levels expected over the next twelve months. County Council elections in May 2025 will be a key target. We have seen only this week the damage the fanatical approach of some Green Councillors can do.

Regular readers will know that one such chap is Cllr Chris MacFarling . Well this week media reports explain how he and his buddies at County Council preached their Gospel and went against strong officer advice to block an application to extend a quarry in Tywning. The applicant appealed , won ( with the judge criticising the councillors who turned it down) and has left the Gloucestershire tax payer to pay the near £200k costs.

That Cllr is your Green Canidate for the Forest of Dean when Rishi finally calls a General Election.

Very soon we expect another FODDC Councillor to be named the Labour party candidate ( the one who was all over Mr Corbyn last time but who has now found a conveniantly new moderate position , apparently ) and theres an issue.

These two support each other at District Council level but will apparently go head to head in a general election.

Theres not a voting slip width between them.

Well we say , the Forest of Deans politics and future is just as important as the national picture.

They are either trying to fool the electorate or they dont think that the Forest is important, something that can be played with and manipulated.

And, due to the state of national politics for the first time in many years, the MPs position is under serious threat. His is one of the very many Tory seats that are "at risk".

The Lib Dems know they cant win the Forest of Dean. they dont even try  really do they ?The Reform Party will take some votes from the Conservatives , which will only open the door further, for the the one who last time told you Corbyn was a genius, or for the one who thinks its Ok to just waste money, on ideological flights of fancy 



This is genuinely a worrying time for our Politics. Nationally but moreover here in the Forest

The Greens, ,just a year into running the FODDC are  showing exactly why they should never be allowed near power , anywhere, anytime,ever , never ,No NO NO!

So we need to get sorted, those of us who do put the Forest of Dean first , we need candidates and sponsors. We need supporters and we need you to raise awareness , its so important. 

Yes nationally Labour will win a landslide probably, but do you want somone who has actually assisted the Green Party to run your council , being your MP ? 

Please ,come and say hello, lets work together, We can not make the difference without you.


National politics has and will continue to fail us, We need something better but we have to get up and make it happen.

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Important Update
Its been proven so many times that Party Politics at District Council Level is damaging rather than positive. We only need to examine what is currently happening at FODDC with the "agreement " between the Greens and Labour. Similarly we need to find a way to seperate so called Independents who do not hold the same set of values as those of us in the Progressive Independents do . We need to be able to use our logo at elections so we are identified , we need to be able to respond to every thing, Thats why last week  we began the process of registering The Progressive Independents as an OFFICIAL political party. This will mean we will be  able to stand candidates in ALL FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS.  The choice as always will be down to the electorate but we believe something different to the current party system is needed.If you want to know more or even join us ( once we are set up) please message us by clicking the link below. Progressive Independents, No Whipping, No National Ideology and above all No BS.
Honest , Transparrent Local Politics for and by Local People
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Yes we have seen them

13Mar

The Elephant in the room , the press and "those" articles

 It is always a tricky decision for a political group to decide to question the media.You run the risk of waking the angry bear and suffering from ongoing reporting.

However, we have to grasp the nettle if no one else will and trust that the media involved will still treat us fairly in future.


Recent months have seen a regular full page “in my view "article by the Leader of the Council in both The Forest Review and The Forester.

Progressive Independents have asked relevant questions and been told that the Council plays no part in the creation of the articles, nor does it pay for the submission of these articles.


It has also been agreed that future articles should make clear that the articles are personal opinions and NOT FODDC views.


However, this week's article in today's Forester ,written by the Deputy Leader and Parliamentary Candidate Chris MacFarling is clearly a political posting, a campaign leaflet by any other name.


He even declares his candidacy for the yet to be called General Election.


Nationally , media groups and newspapers often favour a party. It would appear as if the publishers of both the Forester and the Forest Review are supportive of the Green Party's politics.


Certainly that would account for what many consider to be the "easy ride" or " something of an easy time of things " that The Green Cabinet have been given since their election success compared to previous administrations. 

Overhyping of certain issues and non reporting of many others, would indeed be explained by the publishers of our two local papers having Green Party leanings and thats fine.


But when you consider these articles only started when a Green Leader was in place, when you compare the space given to the Green article compared to the Forest of Dean MP, and unless the Green Party , and the press officer they send to every meeting is influencing or paying for what is being put in our local media, it must simply be assumed that the Publishers of both Forester and The Forest Review are indeed of Green persuasion .


That's their prerogative, it happens throughout the world of media. They will gain support and readership from some quarters and no doubt lose some from others.


We actually hope the Green Party does pay for the article, but want to assure everyone the views they convey are NOT the views of the FODDC in its entirety,


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What used to be Special needs to be found again.
In the late 70s & 80s, against a tidal wave of racism, The Specials music , The Two Tone movement & message of anti-racism gave a generation of kids hope Today, the normalisation of racist rhetoric  by so called politicians and their supporters as well as a devisive and damaging media leaves us bereft. Todays kids need to lead the way again.
 A point to ponder on and to pose a question....As the local Green Party's preference is for a single settlement solution in the Forest of Dean, as borne out by the Churcham fiasco last year, have they been involved in any way with the proposal and consultation for a single, large settlement at Glynchbrook?
Your Council
 Following the frankly shameful passing of the dangerous and uncosted Green Party budget that was supported by LABOUR please be advised that the Progressive Independent Group will be playing no active role in the scrutiny panel investigating the withdrawal from shared services under PUBLICA.

There are two main reasons for our position which we list here.
  1. It is clear, despite denials ,  from press releases , statements and previous meetings that decisions on the withdrawal have already been made and the panel is simply a ratification process for those decisions. 
  2. It is our belief that this panel should have heard evidence about all financial and strategic implications before such Council decisions were made and  public statements made. Then it should have passed their judgement onto the executive to consider alongside its strategic ambition before announcing its decision, The SOSC is being used to evidence its decision rather than to guide it.


Also following the attempts by the Chairman of The Scrutiny Committee and the Labour Group Leader , witnessed at Thursdays's full council meeting ,to damage the capital programme of the Council for what we consider to be personal reasons, we have no confidence in the panel's ability to lead a true and fair inquiry.

We will use the Full Council to debate and consider our position on such issues, and will do so vigorously.

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Budget Update

FULL COUNCIL BUDGET AMENDMENT

FULL COUNCIL BUDGET AMENDMENT

Budget Amendment

Progressive Independent Group Amendments

Today the Progressive Independent Group submitted its amendment proposals to the Leadership of FODDC.


We have sent them to all Leaders, in good faith with the aim of delivering a viable and sustainable Forest of Dean budget.


The Highlight of the amendment is an intention to deliver 2 hours free parking on FODDC car parks, in line with the wishes of many Businesses and community members. 

We need to examine whether such a move does boost our town centre and local economy as many feel it will. The only way to truly find out and to evidence what needs to be done with our Car Parks is a 12 month trial.
While it is never a good idea to budget for losses, the expected loss in income of two hours free income is offset by using funding budgeted for what we consider to be unnecessary growth items.

 
We don't need to spend 75K (25k per year for 3 years ) on an environmental theatre group to spread the word on climate change or council finances, We have a comms team


We don't need to spend 22K on a consultant to tell our environmental officers what to do about climate emergencies , and we don't need to spend another 48K for yet another biodiversity officer, we already have a good team in place for the size of our district and our councils responsibilities.


We don't need to budget for 10 cabinet members at an extra average cost of £7500 for each post, Reducing to 7 saves over £22K alone
By removing this spending, we can fill the income loss on the car parks, we can keep frontline services intact, we can deliver cycle parking and EV charging points and even put some money back into reserves.


Much of this was planned for this year by the previous administration.

 Following Covid it was important to allow a period  of calm before addressing the car park situation full on, 2024 is the time to do it,
Cllr Bernie O'Neill will deliver the amendment proposals in Thursday's meeting.We hope both the current cabinet and other councillors will view our proposals positively. It's not about damaging the Greens or political point scoring, it's what we think is best.


Bernie's amendment will read as follows :
Progressive Independent Group AmendmentsThe Progressive independent Group proposes the following amendments to the Cabinet's final budget which are for Car Parking Charges on page 55, and its growth proposals as set out on page 69 of the agenda, and a reduction in the size of Cabinet.Car Parking charges.

The amendment which we are proposing is to replace the Cabinets' proposed tariffs laid out on page 55 by the following:-The first 2 hours will be free of any charge in all Forest of Dean owned Car Parks, and the current fees will remain for 2-3 hours at £1.00, 3-4 hours at £1.50 and all day at £2.00 and a weekly ticket at £6.00. The previous administration had commenced a review into Car Parks and the Public toilets associated with them, and we urge the current Cabinet to review the situation throughout the coming year. During this time, we ask that the Cabinet investigates and reports on whether some spaces could be provided for the overnight stays for motor homes, as some authorities do. This is an area which the previous administration would have looked at. During the year it will be an opportunity to see just what effect these charges would have, particularly the first 2 hours free.

To remove growth items.

We propose the removal of the following Growth items, and extra Cabinet members :-

 Policy and Strategy, Cross Border Issues, 

Future Generations & Health& Wellbeing 

Public Engagement £25,0006. 

Environment, Wildlife, Heritage & Culture (inc waste & recycling & AONB designation

 Consultancy £22,0009. 

Planning Policy, Performance, 

Shared Working & Climate Emergency 

Biodiversity Net Gain (officer resource) £43,980

Therefore Remove Growth, £90,980

Remove Member allowances( 3 Cabinet) £23,268

(When Council was 48 members Cabinet consisted of 6 members (12.5%) and when the Council membership was reduced to 38 the first Cabinet was 7 members and ended with 5. (13%). It currently is 8 out of 38 (21%). Whilst recognising that the Leader can set the size of Cabinet up to 10, some thought should be given to an optimum number.) 

Total saved £114,248

Best Estimate for loss of income for free 2 hours - £65,063 

Therefore, 

Move to reserves £49,185

We believe that there are opportunities to use some of the money saved above, in other ways.One area we have looked at is the provision of cycle racks at the Council Offices. A rack of 12 places, plus 4 Electric bike charging stations can be set up for around £11,000.

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Progressive Independent response to the adjusted FODDC Budget proposal

Progressive Independent response to the adjusted FODDC Budget proposal

2nd FEB PROG IND STATEMENT ON BUDGET OF FODDC .

Updated GREEN PARTY Budget .


There was once a politician who said she was not for turning, The Greens are making U turns a weekly event .


The Greens it would seem have stepped away from the catastrophic abyss that was their proposals for £2 and hour parking charges .
Following unprecedented public outcry at the proposals from businesses, parish and town councils and individuals, added to  our own alternative budget that was announced last weekend and gained massive support, the Greens have done another complete U Turn and gone from insisting the charges needed to be £2 for the first hour ( its currently 50p) to the first hour now being free ( we have proposed and evidenced how 2 hours free was not only possible but would make a huge difference to our towns) and at least a 200% rise after the first hour. Theres also mention of a overnight charge  of £50 but no mention of how this will be policed or the costings. .


Now one's first thought is to welcome such a climbdown, even if it doesn't go far enough.However, closer inspection of this revised budget reveals concerns that need much further examination.
For instance, without mention in their preamble, there appears to be a near 12% cut in funding for our Leisure services. What will this mean for the future operation , repair and improvement to our swimming pools, gyms and sports pitches ?


The near £179k losses on the car parks, on closer scrutiny include figures from those dark years of Covid, of lockdowns etc, when no car parks were being used and teh Council received grant funding to assist high street recovery.
Hardly representative of a normal period on which to evidence a budget ?
There are even more climate officer staff roles now in the budget, the potential theatre group production about climate change is still there as is the £22k set aside for consultancy for climate issues.
So we are hiring more climate officers and immediately telling them we need to hire a climate consultant to tell them what to do!
They are still budgeting for ten cabinet members ( twice as many as were in place at the end of the last administration) and also now an officer to assist those ten cabinet members and the leader as they are clearly far too busy to write their own emails and letters.
Sort of a Green Party PA.


All this following three weeks of the Green Leader, The named Leader of the Council informing you all in full page spreads on both local newspapers that we simply must accept higher charges, it was absolutely necessary , couldn't be avoided, would be good for the council, the towns, the businesses and the environment. He is even in today's Forest Review.


We would , hes told us ,have affordable attractive wonderful car parks, with thriving businesses ,wonderful places for people to visit and the Council would be making £200k out of it as well , a win-win , he said.


But now, out of the blue ( or Green) they are able to make a change in their proposals , and make the first hour free.


If we didn't know better, we would suggest that those council groups who support the Green administration and voted them into place have managed to do a deal with them.

One can envisage the conversation


"We will support your budget and vote it through , if you do this or that ", it really has gone back to the bad old days of pre meetings and the like.


Indeed we know this is indeed the case.


On Wednesday afternoon, The Greens held a budget support group meeting for all other councillors.Budget support groups were designed to discuss next steps the council might take, to develop strategy based on consultation and opportunities. To guide the Leadership.
So we have Councillors, perhaps representing you ,thinking they were taking part in planning to develop budget strategy .


However at the very same time  a parish council is posting the draft minutes from its  full meeting the night before.
In those draft minutes it is revealed that Cllr Phillip Burford, leader of the Independent group, and someone who alongside members of his group and The Labour Group supported the Greens taking over the administration by voting for them, is informed enough to feel able to assure the parish council that the Car Parking charge rises had been removed.


Before , other District Councillors had been informed and at the same time councillors were taking part in a strategic meeting to plan and advise what to do.


All done and dusted , by phone call or private meeting it would appear.
All seems rather undemocratic does it not, perhaps there was a concern that this abysmal and damaging budget might threaten the "coalition by agreement "that is currently running the council.


So much for Green and in particular the Green Leader principles . ( the moral compass of the groups mentioned has already been displayed by them giving the leadership of the council to a party, they often described as dangerous, delusional and damaging).


Groucho Marx, another comedic actor type once said
“ Those are my principles , what I demand from myself,,,,,,, and if you don't like them I have another set of principles.
Politics of any level is not always a pleasant place to reside.


This new budget however is still not right for the Forest of Dean.
It remains wet finger in the wind stuff about the costs of Publica etc .

It doesn't address the future of the town centres and car parking and just offers short term mid range appeasement.


The Portfolio pots for
Housing Town and Parish Councils ( Inc town centre development ) goes down from £188k to £109 K , cut by £79k
Sports ,Leisure, Tourism, Arts and Communities ( inc Community safety ) goes down from £681k to £608k a cut of £73k


However


The reserved pot for

Environment and Wildlife inc waste and recycling goes up by £500k
And a pot including Climate Emergency goes up by £50K.
It is clear where priorities lie and also that thanks to the support from the groups mentioned the Greens will get their budget accepted and continue their path.
The Green Party protests that you're either doing something about the climate emergency or you're not.
You're either proactively involved or you're a Climate change denier, a saint or a sinner, educated or ignorant, environmentalist or capitalist.
That myth needs to be destroyed, there's nothing wrong with doing your bit, just doing what you're able to do without damaging other areas, or forgoing opportunity.


You can be Climate Emergency aware  but also housing emergency aware, business emergency aware , sports clubs emergency aware , town centre emergency aware.

The weaponising of the Climate Emergency and the enviroment has to stop , It is simply divisive and actually stopping people wanting ro get involved.


There needs to be so much more explanation , so much more scrutiny of this budget, Where did the £200K projected income from parking come from in the first place and where has it gone now? How are those reported “losses” being covered if we are still spending such large amounts on climate emergency issues and ideas.


Simply put , we think the public needs more time to examine such a turnaround in major budget proposals and will be requesting an extended consultation period. Similarly we will continue to examine the proposals.


A budget U Turn to protect the leadership and their Council props and not one designed to promote and assist the Forest of Dean is not a budget our group will support


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Alternative Budget

28Jan

OUR ALTERNATIVE BUDGET MEANS Real CAR PARK changes.

Progressive Independents alternative budget proposals 2024

2024 ALTERNATIVE BUDGET PROPOSALS by the                     Progressive Independents

Forest of Dean District Council


Introduction

The recently released draft BUDGET proposals, issued by FODDC on behalf of the Green Party administration has caused much anger, consternation and shock among the people of the Forest of Dean, its businesses, its parish and town councils.All these groups have made their feelings known as part of the consultation process and the 300 % rise in car parking charges in particular being raised with Progressive Independent Councillors. As we stated when this budget was originally published“ This budget is making this council and this District over reach in terms of climate emergency.It is blinkered and ignores the other and “reachable” objectives of the communities and the district in order to prioritise an environmental position it is not capable of reaching.It demonstrates a complete ignorance of the needs for businesses and people that the Council is in place to represent while being idealistic and weaponising the Climate emergency.It fails to bring growth to the district, threatens services and the very sustainability and future of the Council. It is “fantasy “ local Government, and extreme environmentalists “dream” budget.”

OUR PROPOSALS


In the interests of the District we are happy to assist the Green Cabinet in producing a successful budget and lay out our proposals here. We DO NOT believe the entire budget needs changing and actively support some parts of it. Our proposals are based on plans and ideas that were in place ,while Progressive Independents were the Leadership of FODDC ,in consultation with Town Centre business people from each of the Forest towns and take into account the Government announcement of an extra £86k in funding being given to FODDC on Thursday. It has also been declared finacially sound by the Councils Section 151 officer .

The basis of the amendments we offer are to secure FREE PARKING for 2 Hours in our car parks 

ALTERNATIVE BUDGET PROPOSALSForest of Dean District Council  - 2024/2025.

 Alternative Budget Proposal Introduction 

This alternative budget proposal offers an alternative to the Executive’s  budget as published in the papers for the Full Council February Meeting.This proposal, put forward for consideration by all Councillors, recognises the tough times our business community is facing. The current economic climate affects us all but in particular local businesses and our town centres are in need of all the help we can offer themWe also feel it is important to recognise and accept the Cabinet's clear and distinct desire to address the climate emergency,but wish to perhaps add some balance to their initial proposals. We have met with representatives of the Business community from each of the four towns and believe the changes we are proposing to the published Budget proposals meet with the support and the approval of that sector.




The Proposal

  1. In Relation to the increase in car park charges throughout the district, we propose to remove these increases.
  2. In Relation to growth item of 25k per annum for engagement with public ref financial and climate emergency issues, (via letter drops or drama group) we propose to remove this item
  3. In Relation to growth item of 22k for consultancy, we propose to remove this item
  4. In Relation to budget item Members Allowances. The Government has stated that Council may have up to 10 Cabinet or executive members and therefore 10 members are budgeted for..It is clear that a Council of the level and size of FODDC does not need a Cabinet or executive of 10 Councillors and propose to reduce the maximum number of Cabinet members to 7, This immediately releases approx £22500 per annum that covers the reported losses currently suffered by FODDC Car Parks.
  5. The finance saved from Points 2 and 3 ( approx £100k) and the extra £86k of Government funding is directed to improvements in FODDC Car park/Toilet facilities.

This will create a refurbishment fund near the £200k The Cabinet suggested they wished to raise by means of the rises for refurbishment purposes

  1. Raise further finances for car parks and toilets by allowing and charging motorhomes to park overnight in designated areas in FODDC Car Parks.
  2. This will be the position for the first year, during which time while discussions with town councils and the community begin to create Community Groups/town council teams to take over control of Car Parks and toilets.
  3. Once set up , FODDC will utilise the Forest Lottery so that people can contribute to  Car Parks upkeep.
  4. We propose a two year trial of this system with no increases in prices ( other than setting Motor Home Prices) and that  the first two hours of parking in FODDC CAR PARKS is  FREE with suitable charging settings for those wishing to park for over two hours.


We believe these adjustments to the Budget proposals address the needs of our community, avoid any cuts to services and offer a realistic and sustainable model for future provision of Car Parking in FODDC car parks.

For many years our towns and local communities have told us they believe car parking charges damage the centres and damage the viability of businesses. Clearly FODDC cannot lose vast amounts of finance on car parks.

This proposal gives the community an opportunity to achieve what they have campaigned for , 2 hours Free Parking in all our towns.

It gives the Community direct access to assist and steer the condition and sustainability of the  Car Parks.

It is reliant on the community and our towns being given and taking responsibility for these resources and being in control of their own town,without having a financial burden placed upon them or similarly leaving FODDC with extra costs.. 

It is our belief, having consulted with them , that those groups will step forward .Now is the time to be radical, to think differently and to give our town centre businesses and town councils the opportunities they are demanding.



 


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Articles

2024/2025 FODDC DRAFT BUDGET

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And so it begins

And so it begins image
                                                                                                                                                                                                    Theres really nothing worse than someone throwing out the " we told you so " line.
Perhaps we didnt get our very real concerns over enough?

But the financial issues that many groups and Councillors have held about a Green Cabinet are beginning to show through

You may know that they have already announced that they intend to withdraw services from the shared service company the council set up with West Oxon, Cotswold DC and Cheltenham BC in 2017.

They have announced they will bring services back in house.

That may well be the best thing to do, however the Council has had NO COSTINGS, NO FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS and NO FORWARD PLAN presented to it,

Nothing , Zilch , nowt

Worse is that the Chairman of the Scrutiny Panel ( put in place with the support of the Greens ) has agreed NOT TO examine this massivley important finacial decison until AFTER it had been made.

One can only hope that the Council will still be finacially viable by the time that decison is finally scrutinised.

We know the Green Machine is on full General Election charge here in the Forest of Dean. They have press officers and strategists at every meeting and are basically doing as they wish. They are working in agreement with Labour and the Scrutiny Committee chairmans group.

The only effectual opposition are sidelined.

They may actually have to listen to the public, at least eventually.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE PROPOSED DISTRICT COUNCIL BUDGET THAT WILL BE USED TO SET YOUR COUNCIL TAX -

The headlines of which are :

CAR PARKING CHARGES INCREASING BY 300% from 50p to £2 for 2 hours GREEN BINS an increase of £5 There is a proposal to Commission a drama group to write a play specific to the Forest, which can be shared with the community to educate and engage re 'the money'. Plus additional engagement around Climate and Waste@ a cost of £65K

Julia Gooch ( Leader of Progressive Independents ) is asking residents to make their views known to the Council. " The Budget consultation usually only gets a few comments from residents of the Forest of Dean. This year , with these proposals being put forward, the people of the Forest must play a role. We are very worried about the direction the Council is heading."

Residents can vread the budget proposals and find out how to respond by clicking on the following link :

https://news.fdean.gov.uk/news/residents-invited-to-have-their-say-on-forest-of-dean-district-council-budget-1?fbclid=IwAR3bS7qSBi24e1bph5XpvKpwo20sAEwk0t8ieSREAAOfpcvLUchS1G8L8Wg











Blog

THE FOREST CANNOT LOSE ITS VOICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Members and supporters of the Forest of Dean Progressive Independents are deeply concerned about the direction the current cabinet is taking, as it has shown a worrying lack of consideration for the local issues that affect our community. We believe it is essential to address these concerns and highlight the importance of respecting the community's needs and opinions.First and foremost, we are alarmed by the manner in which local issues are being dealt with by organisations outside of the Council  without adequate consultation or consideration for the impact they may have on our community. The fence that has been put up by the Environment agency on a site at Lydney Harbour that has received so much hard work and hard fought for funding, is an outrageous and damaging move.Similarly Forestry England's continued drive towards change at Cannop Ponds is both concerning from a loss of local amenities viewpoint but more importantly is flying completely in the face of local public opinion..We firmly believe that decisions that affect our community should be made in consultation with those who will be directly impacted, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the potential implications.Furthermore, it is disheartening to hear of a viewed lack of respect for the community's voice. The current cabinet's failure to publicly  address these concerns and opinions of the community demonstrates a disregard for the democratic process.While there is no evidential link between the administration and these two  issues , it is perhaps telling that neither Forestry England nor The Environment Agency displayed the current level of disdain for public opinion when the previous cabinet was in place. Perhaps they see the Green administration as one more sympathetic to such moves?We firmly believe that a local government should be accountable to its citizens and should actively engage in open and inclusive discussions to ensure that the voices of all community members are heard and respected. Sometimes that means the Leader of the Council or relevant Cabinet member publicly speaking out on behalf of the community, the silence from the current administration is certainly a worry.We are also extremely concerned at the reported approach and attitude of the current cabinet to local organisations and businesses. Every such business in the Forest of Dean , that employs, educates and brings financial and community growth into the Forest of Dean is to be cherished , nurtured and supported .They do not deserve to be disrespected and dismissed simply because they may not follow a national party's ideology to the letter.The consequences of such actions and relationship breakdowns are far-reaching. By neglecting the concerns of the community and local business the council may be failing to provide a platform for meaningful participation, the current cabinet is eroding the trust and confidence that the people have placed in their elected representatives. This not only hinders the progress and development of our community but also undermines the principles of democracy upon which our society is built.

For now, as they are a new administration and perhaps need time to understand the importance of the issues mentioned , The Progressive Independent team will simply but strongly ,urge the current cabinet to reassess its approach and take immediate steps to rectify the situation. We call for a renewed commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and respect for the community's needs and opinions. It is only through collaborative and consultative decision-making processes that we can ensure the sustainable and equitable development of our community.

We are committed to working with all stakeholders, including the current cabinet, to address these concerns and find solutions that prioritise the well-being and interests of our community. We believe that together, we can create a more inclusive and responsive governance system that truly serves the needs of all.

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Blog

30Jul

The Incompetance starts to shine through as true colours are revealed

The story of the latest meeting at Forest of Dean Council, and the observations of a Independent Observer


The Forest of Dean District Council full meeting on July 27th , was for those of us in attendance confirming the troubled waters the Forest of Dean faces for as long as there is a Green party administration in place, supported by what was once referred to as the Labour group.
Be in no doubt , as far as the Council is concerned there is NO Labour group.
What there is , is a group of Labour members who act and vote as a Green Party seconds team, and they are led by a drop in wannabe candidate whose only ambition is to be named as the Parliamentary candidate.( he obviously enjoys losing elections)
The previous leader of the Labour group, once highly respected, has unfortunately damaged her record as a keen and powerful advocate for the community and for the Forest by being no more than voting fodder for the Greens in exchange for a chain of office.
It is very sad and frustrating.


But we must face the fact that if there is an environmental angle to a question , or to a motion, Labour Cllrs will be instructed by their Wannabe Leader to vote with the Greens, however damaging and however hypocritical .
This was never more prevalent than last Thursday concerning a motion about MOTOCross or scrambling events that many young people enjoy.


This motion, calling for more Council enforcements on such events that will undoubtedly mean such events don't happen and those youngsters will instead revert to riding their bikes in the Forest, was originally put to council debated and rejected just 6 months ago.
At that time, that very same motion was voted against by the Labour Group, very vociferously by their current leader and by the now Chair of council.
Miraculously, 33 weeks later and following all the deal making over positions in Council the Labour group now support the Green Party's suppression of motorsport in the Forest of Dean.They alongside the Greens won the vote
How very convenient for everyone , apart from those who enjoy motorsport.
Similarly. The Conservative Councillor for Tidenham, produced a motion that seemed sensible to everyone except the Greens and Labour.
He wanted the Council to extend and commit to working with MPs and government to alleviate the traffic issues that face Sedbury , Lydney and Tidenham as well as Chepstow.
A long standing issue, Our administration was really vocal on the issue for 6 years and everyone knows its something that needs sorting. Labour candidates even campaigned on the subject in the recent election.


The Greens , fearful that traffic alleviation may mean new roads or bridges went into full no more road building mode. We had talk of fire and pestilence, disease and death. Well not quite but they really don't like road building.
Nothing new there, we all know that the Green Party's idea of stopping traffic issues is to sit in front of said traffic
Labour , this time voted with the Greens and quite clearly believe the issues in the area are not important enough to have discussions with other organisations and sort the issue.
How convenient for everyone, unless you're from Sedbury, or Tidenham.
The Labour Group ( Green second team) leader is already fighting a general election that hasn't been called, and doing nothing for the Council. Preferring cheap soundbites to policy, smart arse comments to substance and all the while doing exactly as the Green party tells him to , only allowed his own view on licence.
The Progressive Independent Leader, Cllr Julia Gooch reminded the new Leader of the Council about his comments concerning the salary of the chief executive that he made last year when an interim was hired.
Amongst must gnashing of teeth the Leader back then said how terrible it was that the council was paying so much, it was wrong morally and he and the Greens would do things much more cheaply and in a very different way.
Under questioning on Thursday he admitted he had been wrong and he now knows the salary is correct and proper.
So all that fuss? All that nastiness and all the abuse shown to the previous administration due to the comments made by members of the new cabinet including the Leader was all unnecessary .
There were some high points. The Progressive Independents did get a motion put by Cllr Tim Gwilliam, calling for fairer fuel prices for rural communities.
Cllr Jamie Elsmores motion asking for Green Party support for the retention of Cannop Ponds was successful as he gave the Council Leader no wriggle room.

The team also managed to get committment that our Leisure services will be considered a statutory service and that the Council should work to ensure each of our towns have youth clubs open at least three nights a week.


But we have worries. Cllr Bernie O'Neill is hugely concerned by the autonomous public decrees by Extinction Rebellion member and current Cabinet member for Finance, Cllr. Moore, that they will be disinvesting from anything to do with Fossil fuels.
While admirable, this would cost the council in its very first stage and on the very first investment over a quarter of a million pounds , as well as nearly sixty thousand pounds in interest.
That is massive for the Council.
Will the Labour Group support that ?
Will their skilled U turning also allow them to now support the single settlement at Churcham? A much despised Green plan which is already starting to resurface and will do doubt be put forward by the Green administration by the Autumn.


The “other Independent group are having similar issues with their leader being part of the Green coronation.
There is much to worry about, we know many genuine Cllrs are getting worried and we are aware that internally there are real concerns about the direction the Council is being placed by the Greens and their second team.
However, there are some chinks of light, people are seeing through this sham, they are seeing the incompetence and the one eyed ideology.
There is still hope.
As a footnote, one Green councillor brought their poodle to full council on Thursday.
That's how highly they regard your Council, however the poodle did at least make a little bit more sense. than many of the Cabinet members and Green Councillors We suspect it may have a position as the leaders special advisor  by the end of next week.


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23Jul

Progressive Independents in Council

True Progressive Independents are active in Council. Unlike some other Independent and Labour councillors who have become nothing more than the Green Reserve team.

Thursday 27th July will see the next meeting of the Full Forest of Dean District Council . Here we post the questions and motions that our Councillors will be putting to that meeting. We always welcome your views and requests for future questions or motions and you can contact us throught this website or via email. Remember thanks to Progressive Independents you can watch a live stream of the full council meeting via the council web page. 




7.Member questions
7.1Councillor Tim Gwilliam
Many Councillors will recall attending youth clubs 2 or three times a week, playing sport, talking, dancing and being young. While not a cure all , youth clubs gave many of us an outlet, youth clubs were was a truly valuable community asset. Many of us believe that a generation of young people are being failed by unprecedented cuts to youth services across the country. Cuts made to youth services for several reasons, have devastated the lives of young people by damaging community cohesion, making it harder to stay in formal education, and having a negative impact on their health and wellbeing. Many youth workers say the cuts have influenced crime and anti-social behaviour. Youth work is a distinct educational process offering young people safe spaces to explore their identity, experience decision-making, increase their confidence, develop interpersonal skills, and think through the consequences of their actions. This leads to better informed choices, changes in activity and improved outcomes for young people. All Councillors will be aware of young people becoming disillusioned, losing hope, and falling prey to drugs, crime, and violence. We get called so often with reports of anti-social behaviour by young people who simply are left with nothing else to do. They deserve better.and while as a council we provide leisure services and sporting opportunities these are considered discretionary ; these facilities must never be at risk of being taken away from the young people of the Forest of Dean. Therefore, does the Leader agree with the Progressive Independent group that 1.    Leisure services should be considered as important a service in the Forest of Dean Council as recognised statutory services recognising the important role such facilities play in supporting young people to realise their potential. 2.    Will he ask his relevant Cabinet Member to engage with and lobby Gloucestershire County Council to ensure that Youth Clubs open at least twice a week in each of the Forest of Deans main towns and that such clubs should be funded through Council Tax as a statutory and regulatory service while any Existing services should be funded to expand and increase the service to levels in line with this motion. Also will he engage with Forest of Dean County Councillors to support and promote the provision of youth clubs in the Forest of Dean Towns in all debates and votes within Gloucestershire County Council.
7.2





Councillor Jamie Elsmore

Can the public finally receive assurances from the newly elected Council Cabinet including its Green Party Councillors to uphold the commitment made by the former Cabinet and its full council, to fully endorse the efforts to retain Cannop Ponds in their current state and for the necessary works to be carried out to the Dams to secure the long term future of the ponds with the objective of minimising the risk to both wildlife and uphold the preservation of our Forest of Dean heritage?


16.Notice of motions
16.1Councillor Tim Gwilliam

On Saturday May 27th at 1045 am a litre of diesel at a Texaco linked petrol station in the Forest of Dean was priced at £1.58.9p per litre. A difference of 15p per litreAt the very same time at Westgate Bridge petrol station on the outskirts of Gloucester, another Texaco linked petrol station a litre of diesel cost £1.43.9p per litre. A difference of 15p per litre.A similar difference was found for petrol and also among all other Fuel Companies. We in the Forest of Dean are used to paying a premium for delivery on goods , being as we are, clearly in the eyes of city dwelling organisations and businesses considered, in the back of beyond. It would however seem fair to suggest that the cost difference in delivering fuel from refineries in either the middle east or from the southern United States is somewhat minimal whether that fuel be delivered to Westgate Bridge or 20 miles down the road to Coleford. The FODDC Council asks the Leader of the Council a to write to the MP on behalf of the Council and ask the MP, in his role as Transport secretary , to request fuel companies consider Rural area pricing policies that ,while allowing the vendor to earn a decent living , ensures that petrol and diesel pricing does not discriminate against rural communities such as the Forest of Dean.



 




16.4Councillor Julia Gooch

I am becoming increasingly aware the effect bullying has on children & young people and the anguish it creates. No child deserves to be someone else's target physically or emotionally.Bullying causes trauma and can have a lasting effect on a child's ability to learn, cause depression and anxiety leading to serious mental health issues or worse.Safeguarding Children is everyone's responsibility and as civic leaders we can and should highlight our concerns. We can help others understand the harm bullying has on the lives of children & young people by making a pledge to sign up to Anti Bullying week 2023 Make some noise and wear odd socks. I call upon council to make a pledge by signing up to Anti Bullying week 2023 Make some noise and wear odd socks promoting the pledge through the council's social media platforms & website. https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week-2023-make-noise-about-bullying/anti-bullying-week-2023-make-noise-about-bullying


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22Jul

WE MUST CHANGE BECAUSE THIS ISNT RIGHT

Politically its been the same for hundreds of years. A real and honest assessment of where its taking us should tell us one thing. It hasnt worked

Britain 2023
We were told that privatising water companies would make the water we get through our taps cleaner and cheaper.
instead
We have rising bills, leaks all over the place , sewage in our rivers and millions being paid to shareholders including Foreign owned companies
We were told privatising the electric companies would make our energy bills cheaper, make our service more reliable and create investment.We still get power cuts in poor weather.
instead
We have rising unaffordable bills, energy crisis, companies forcing prepayment meters on the most vulnerable of society.
We were promised an NHS fit for purpose where everything would be free at the point of use and where everyone could get the care they need.
Instead
The NHS is being allowed to die, ambulances take an age to get to patients because they cannot drop the patients they already have off in hospital as the hospital beds are full of patients in need of social care. There is not enough or adequate social care so there is nowhere for the patients to go.The care homes are being closed .Mental health facilities have been reduced to near zero and the police will no longer respond to issues involving mental health because they are so low in numbers they simply don't have the manpower.It can take weeks to see your GP and if you haven't already got a NHS Dentist , your going to have to go private
We were told that the planning system was designed so that everyone could own or rent their own home.Councils would replace the homes they sold off and the right to buy would ensure homes for everyone.
Instead
Development after development ignores local need and are allowed to build high profit executive homes,as slowly or quickly as they like, timing it to maximise profit. Council housing has been slashed as housing associations sell off inefficient or expensive to repair homes and right to buy continues to reduce numbers. Mortgage rates are becoming unaffordable for many and house prices are such that affordability is beyond most people.
Also
We now have to work for longer before we can retire.Many of our schools are now privately run , this means someones making a profit. We see lack of investment in schools.Youth Clubs and young people's services have been closed, cut or removed meaning young people quite often have literally nothing positive to do in rural areas.
Our roads are a national embarrassment. Potholes and decay that damages the cars you pay a fortune for. If you can run a car the fuel prices are so expensive you may not be able to fill the car with petrol to even get to work to earn the money to pay for the car.
You can't catch a bus or a train because we were told that privatising the buses and the trains would mean cheaper , efficient and modern services.
Instead
We get reduced or no services , on poor quality transport , where you often have to stand up and that's if it turns up at all.It also cost a small fortune to travel a few miles and when to get to the station or hub there's no further infrastructure to take you to where you wish to go.
Food prices in supermarkets are at all time highs, there are security tags on Cheese.
Food banks have become normal and are being used by people working full time,

 
Health
Water and water ways
Housing
Schooling
Childhoods
Policing
Transport
Energy
Roads
And even being able to simply feed our families.

All these fundamental things, things for society, things society needs are failing

This is Britain in 2023, is this what we want ? Is this what we deserve ? Is this the way forward ?
We are not attacking the Government or on any party
We are saying that the current political system , the party system has had its time and is now failing Britain.
We need a reset, we need to admit that the path we have travelled has made the few very rich but made the majority worry and stress.
It doesnt have to be party v party, ideology v ideology.
We need a new way of doing our politics, just because somethings always been there doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't change change


.

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15Aug

Money makes the world go round, it also pays for things like leisure centres and housing advice, for community and business start up grants

Fossil fuel disivestment

In February this year The Greens put a motion to Council that it shoule disinvest in anything that had any link to fossll fuels. An admirable target and somewhere the Council needs to get to it was explained very clearly by officers that to do it straightway would have catastrophic effects on the Councils finances and viability.

Heres how Glos news centre report the issues at the time .

"Councillor Mark Topping (G, Lydney West and Aylburton) called on the council to disinvest from the Schroders Income Maximiser Fund which is currently providing the authority with a return of 7.8%.He told the meeting in Coleford on February 16 that the council is giving money to the very thing they are trying to fight.“It’s crazy. It is not just ironic that we give money to the fossil fuel industry and declare a climate emergency on the other hand, it is pure madness,” he said.Finance cabinet member Richard Leppington (Progressive Independents, Bream) said the fund invests in Shell but it constitutes just 3% of the fund. The big oil and gas companies pay a lot of tax which supports services like the NHS and are investing in renewable energy technology, he said.“Selling up at this time would lose the council money. I cannot support an action which would damage this authority and in the future we may reconsider the investment,” he said.Officers also explained that it would cost the council £259,504 pa to disinvest. Councillor Philip Burford (I, Hartpury and Redmarley) accused the Greens of grandstanding. He said they would have the council lose its investment return to “do the good green things the council wants to do”.He asked how people are supposed to get to work and look after their families without fossil fuels if electric vehicles are also bad.He said: “It irritates me that members will come to this meeting and not think about our residents. We are all committed to a climate emergency and doing the right thing for the environment but it’s my belief that we should also be committed to doing the right thing financially so that the people of the Forest of Dean can live and prosper.”Councillor Andy Moore (G, Pillowell) said climate change was at the top of the council’s corporate priorities but is nowhere when it comes to where the council invests its money. He said: “We have to take our money and put it where our mouth is.”Conservative Cllr Nick Evans (C, Tidenham) asked why the Greens had not while they were in the cabinet. And council leader Tim Gwilliam (Progressive Independents, Berry Hill) defended the work the authority has done to reduce its carbon emissions over the last five years.“Much of it was pushed by the two [Green] former cabinet members. I find it disingenuous that they should slight us in the way they are doing.“There is a climate emergency. We are trying to take it seriously but we have to do it in a way we can afford to do it.”Cllr Gwilliam said the return from much of the investment may have gone towards carbon reduction such as solar panels."


So over a quarter of a million pounds would be lost to the council budget ,without any equal or near equal replacement. Devastating to a Council the size of the Forest of Dean and would almost certainly mean cuts to other sevices.

Please note in the text the quotes in bold. In February Cllr Burford was open in his anger at the Green party proposal.

The Green Party in May, when positioning themselves to take over the administration following the election ,supported Cllr Burford for the position of Scrutiny Chairman ( a paid position). Cllr Burford as Leader of the second largest group supported a Green administration at the same meeting,ensuring the Greens took control of the Council

In their first Cabinet meeting on Thursday The Green Cabinet stated their intention to totally disinvest from Fossil Fuels and were taking steps to do so immediately. The Cabinet member announcing the move was the Deputy Leader of the Council  who on dis declaration of interests page lists "Extinction Rebellion" and his work as "Climate Activist"

So in supporting and putting a Green Cabinet in place Cllr Burford (alongside the Labour Group of Cllrs) has created the very thing he was so angered about just six months ago . It "irritated" him that The Greens wanted to do such things and not consider the communtity and the effect such fiancial ruin would have on the Forest of Dean.

It will be interesting to see Cllr Burfords reaction to the announcement on Thursday and whether the issues that were there just weeks ago and caused him such anger and angst remain or whether the assurance his finances and his ego recieved when securing the Chairman of Scrutiny Role has now tempered his concern.

More importanltly we will work with our Progressive Independent Councillors and supporters to ensure that local services are damaged as little as possible and that disinvestment is achieved in a sustanable and sensible manner.

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About

About image
Progressive Independents have been at the heart of the administration at the Forest of Dean Council since 2017. We have never been in a majority group, have always been swimming against the tide, always trying to bring the council with us and above all trying to do things openly, fairly and with the interests of the Forest at heart. We have always been battling political dogma and ideology and it has to be said the self interest of party political councillors .

Despite this there have been huge achievements

Affordable Housing delivery beyond anything previously delivered, forming the brilliant Forest Economic Partnership and the council bringing businesses back into the Forest and giving those Businesses a platform to succeed here have been real successes of which we are hugely proud, The Forest of Dean is once again a place where business can thrive. 

Our investment strategy, maintaining a balanced budget under the most extreme circumstances, and cuts to funding by central government ,
In the Community our innovative support for those in need of help and creating The Forest Lottery that is helping dozens of local good causes are further evidence of how far the council has come in 4 years.

The wonderful local grant policy is second to none and and in introducing 3-year funding means organisations can plan effectively. We are currently working on localising and maximising our investments to bring maximum benefit to the Forest of Dean and to end the practice of having to send families in need of emergency housing outside the district. We are lo maximising the use of the council offices and financially are in a strong a position as we could ever have hoped to be.

Our innovative and committed work on the climate emergency, the carbon reduction toolkit, finding money for actual officers to help us reach our carbon reduction goals and above all bringing the district into the discussion all achieved while Independently led
Projects, such as the active transport policy, Foxglove Gardens, the leisure strategy and Lydney Harbour have been progressed and delivered under an Independent administration.

The successful bid to The Levelling up fund is testament to how far the council has come. The projects it will fund and those it has placed in our path can offer a future for young people, for communities and for the district. And in simple terms it could not have been delivered 4 years ago when the council was damaged by the nonsense of party politics in the district council. £20million secured and that can be just the beginning if our template for success is followed in the future. If we are not divisive, if we don’t pitch town against town and if we speak with one voice we have a chance of more success, more growth.
The way the council has led from the front regarding Covid has gained acknowledgement far and wide ..
We have succeeded in giving the Forest of Dean a voice at the very highest tables. No longer taken for granted, No longer just an aside. A thriving district now, sure of its place and proud of its past while having a future full of opportunity.
And yes we have had assistance from some political party members, assistance we welcome. But we accept it and use it because party politics is left at the door. What is good for the Forest of Dean is our emblem and our badge of honour. Politics has NO PLACE in the FODDC.
We have proved it, look at our record, don't let it go back to how it was.

Blog

18Aug

Money makes the world go round, it also pays for things like leisure centres and housing advice, for community and business start up grants

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In February this year The Greens put a motion to Council that it shoule disinvest in anything that had any link to fossll fuels. An admirable target and somewhere the Council needs to get to it was explained very clearly by officers that to do it straightway would have catastrophic effects on the Councils finances and viability.

Heres how Glos news centre report the issues at the time .

"Councillor Mark Topping (G, Lydney West and Aylburton) called on the council to disinvest from the Schroders Income Maximiser Fund which is currently providing the authority with a return of 7.8%.He told the meeting in Coleford on February 16 that the council is giving money to the very thing they are trying to fight.“It’s crazy. It is not just ironic that we give money to the fossil fuel industry and declare a climate emergency on the other hand, it is pure madness,” he said.Finance cabinet member Richard Leppington (Progressive Independents, Bream) said the fund invests in Shell but it constitutes just 3% of the fund. The big oil and gas companies pay a lot of tax which supports services like the NHS and are investing in renewable energy technology, he said.“Selling up at this time would lose the council money. I cannot support an action which would damage this authority and in the future we may reconsider the investment,” he said.Officers also explained that it would cost the council £259,504 pa to disinvest. Councillor Philip Burford (I, Hartpury and Redmarley) accused the Greens of grandstanding. He said they would have the council lose its investment return to “do the good green things the council wants to do”.He asked how people are supposed to get to work and look after their families without fossil fuels if electric vehicles are also bad.He said: “It irritates me that members will come to this meeting and not think about our residents. We are all committed to a climate emergency and doing the right thing for the environment but it’s my belief that we should also be committed to doing the right thing financially so that the people of the Forest of Dean can live and prosper.”Councillor Andy Moore (G, Pillowell) said climate change was at the top of the council’s corporate priorities but is nowhere when it comes to where the council invests its money. He said: “We have to take our money and put it where our mouth is.”Conservative Cllr Nick Evans (C, Tidenham) asked why the Greens had not while they were in the cabinet. And council leader Tim Gwilliam (Progressive Independents, Berry Hill) defended the work the authority has done to reduce its carbon emissions over the last five years.“Much of it was pushed by the two [Green] former cabinet members. I find it disingenuous that they should slight us in the way they are doing.“There is a climate emergency. We are trying to take it seriously but we have to do it in a way we can afford to do it.”Cllr Gwilliam said the return from much of the investment may have gone towards carbon reduction such as solar panels."


So over a quarter of a million pounds would be lost to the council budget ,without any equal or near equal replacement. Devastating to a Council the size of the Forest of Dean and would almost certainly mean cuts to other sevices.

Please note in the text the quotes in bold. In February Cllr Burford was open in his anger at the Green party proposal.

The Green Party in May, when positioning themselves to take over the administration following the election ,supported Cllr Burford for the position of Scrutiny Chairman ( a paid position). Cllr Burford as Leader of the second largest group supported a Green administration at the same meeting,ensuring the Greens took control of the Council

In their first Cabinet meeting on Thursday The Green Cabinet stated their intention to totally disinvest from Fossil Fuels and were taking steps to do so immediately. The Cabinet member announcing the move was the Deputy Leader of the Council  who on dis declaration of interests page lists "Extinction Rebellion" and his work as "Climate Activist"

So in supporting and putting a Green Cabinet in place Cllr Burford (alongside the Labour Group of Cllrs) has created the very thing he was so angered about just six months ago . It "irritated" him that The Greens wanted to do such things and not consider the communtity and the effect such fiancial ruin would have on the Forest of Dean.

It will be interesting to see Cllr Burfords reaction to the announcement on Thursday and whether the issues that were there just weeks ago and caused him such anger and angst remain or whether the assurance his finances and his ego recieved when securing the Chairman of Scrutiny Role has now tempered his concern.

More importanltly we will work with our Progressive Independent Councillors and supporters to ensure that local services are damaged as little as possible and that disinvestment is achieved in a sustanable and sensible manner.

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15Jul

7 BIG THINGS A START-UP MUST HAVE TO SUCCEED

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01May

10 RULES TO BUILD A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

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08Apr

9 STEPS TO STARTING A BUSINESS

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Our Response to Budget Changes

Statement by the progressive independents

Statement by the progressive independents image
This is The Progressive Independents first public statement since the Local Elections in May. Those Elections were obviously disappointing for us as a Group losing two Councillors. It was, it has to be said ,difficult to campaign and to run a Council at the same time and we want to thank everyone for their huge efforts. Paul, Richard and Claire will be much missed by their wards and by the Council.

So why did the election turn out the way it did ? The Tory vote collapsed, there was a very small turn out and The Greens proved that throwing central office money at a campaign can really work in Districts such as The Forest of Dean.

But this article is more about the Councils administration rather than those elections.

The Greens had a successful election and as the biggest group have a right to try to form an admistration. They did not however have a majority, it was not a complete victory for them .They could even have formed an administration without support from other Groups who could have sat on their hands and distanced themselves as Progressive Independents did.

However,

In simple terms, at the recent FODDC AGM the future of the Forest of Dean was exchanged for some positions in The Council .

In supporting a Green Party administration and Green Chairmanships of nearly every committee ( Audit went to a new Labour Councillor) the Forest of Dean Labour Councillors have handed the future of the Forest of Dean, to the Green Party in its entirety.

You will have all read the many statements from Labour denying any collaboration with the Green Party.

Their voting patterns and the positions they gained at the AGM sadly point to a very different truth.

This is a Labour Party who have consistently spoken against Green politics in the Council , who have consistently lobbied to remove Green Councillors from Cabinet and argued against Green Group proposals in particular in relation to the Cinderford Northern Quarter,Cannop Ponds and the Local Plan.

The hypocrisy displayed by the now former Labour leader (the very councillor quoted in the denial statements) in not only voting for a Green Leader and administration but then being supported unanimously by the Green Party, to attain the heralded position of Chairperson of the Council , is plain to see..

She was a worthy candidate for the role having served the Council for so long, but to achieve it in this manner reflects poorly on all concerned.

Anyone watching the meeting will see the voting patterns, those who did not should go to the council website to check for themselves, and we are sure the same conclusion will be drawn by all, it its blatant, it is obvious , it is totally clear. https://meetings.fdean.gov.uk/documents/g4305/Printed%20minutes%2025th-May-2023%2019.00%20Full%20Council.pdf?T=1

One must now call into question the claims made by the local Labour party that they could only field 7 Candidates in last month's elections. The fact that many of those missing Labour candidates were actually missing from Green Party targeted wards might also now offer a question as to whether that was part of the same pre-election pact.

Ultimately it is a matter for the local Labour Party ,its members and their voters to decide whether they are happy to see the Labour Party in the Forest of Dean become a partner of and subordinate to the Green Party , for by being part of this sell out that's exactly what these Councillors have now decreed that they.
Nothing more than hand servants to another political party in exchange for a few positions in the Council.

There is nothing wrong with political coalitions if you stand by the principles to which you are elected and are honest with your electorate.

The Green Party were successful in our view in the recent elections for several reasons. Some of them are positive because people care about the environment but also because of their campaigning style and what they did not discuss or divulge during the election . For many the non disclosure by the Greens about a number of hugely important local issues suggests a negative and concerning aspect to their plans.

The Labour Party were supposed to be the official opposition but following the AGM and subsequent discussions one can only assume that as they are happy to hand over the Forest of Dean futures to the Greens they may well do the same to Gloucestershire in County Council elections and then even the country in next year’s General Election.

We can only assume that the two Prospective parliamentary candidates for the District for the General Election, Cllr Chris Mcfarling of the Green Party and Cllr Shaun Stammers who declares himself to be the Labour Party candidate, will also do a similar deal or toss a well-used coin to decide which of them will oppose the sitting Conservative MP Mr Harper when the election is called.

Perhaps this Green Lab pact will also decide who will stand where in the county elections telling anyone who will listen that unfortunately they will be unable to field candidates in wards where their partners from their sister party might have a better chance of winning.

This pact, these councillors who are happy to assist a Group they considered a danger to the Forest of Dean a matter of weeks ago, to so easily become the Councils administration will show anyone why party politics is so damaging at Council Level.

If Labour had been open and honest about their dealings and their obvious pact with the Greens ( the Lib Dems did this in the North of the District ) there would be no issue.

But they haven't been, one only needs to examine the statements and then look at the voting patterns and the candidate placements to see this.

Since the Cabinet was named, entirely of Green Councillors despite the promises of an inclusive and mixed administration, there has been an increase in messages to us on social media and via email , from individuals and organisations ,concerned about the future but also asking how 15 Green Councillors, in a Council of 38 , have managed to achieve almost total control in the Council.

The answer is simple, its because of the actions and hypocrisy of the Forest of Dean Labour Group .

For many reasons, we expected better from these Councillors. The actions of Labour were mirrored by another so called Independent Leader ( although not all his group followed him) , who now becomes Chairman of Scrutiny ( another senior position ). The difference is , this Councillor has been doing such deals to strengthen his own position for a decade so his hypocrisy was only to be expected.

They will be reminded of this at every election in the future.

News and a call for help

News and a call for help image
Progressive Independents have led the Forest of Dean and its council through 6 years of unprecedented growth. We need to continue with that work for the Forests future. Jobs , services , infrastructure and the very future of the Forest of Dean and its council will be at risk on May 4th.
The Forest cannot be led by politicians of any party as they will always put their national party position before the interests of everyone in the Forest of Dean. National issues will matter more, party ideology will always be more important than you !

We can win control of the Council on May 4th. But we need your help.
All the main parties are throwing huge sums to assist their candidates in the local campaigns. Independent Councillors don't have that option. We would like to do mail outs and ensure everyone gets leaflet

We need help , leafletting, running social media campaigns and letter writing.
If any businesses want to help out we really need mail out costs, assistance with printing leaflets and publicity.

We need your vote and we need you on our team. Any thing you can do will make a huge difference no matter how small you think it might be.  Please contact us for more information

The Progressive Independents

Who are your Progressive Independents ?

A look at the District Councils web page will show a plethora of Cllrs who work under an active Independent banner. They are not all , by any means linked to or part of The Progressive Independents that have run the Council so efficiently for the last 6 years. So here we will list the Independent candidates who have signed up to work with the Progressive Independents. Not all applicants have been or will be accepted. Julia Gooch Paul Hiett Bernie ONeill Claire Vaughan Jamie Elsmore Alan Grant Tim Gwilliam

What We can achieve is simply fab!!

What a Future we can have

What a Future we can have

Making a difference, despite the odds

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Let's be clear

Let's be clear image
Now please remember that the whole CNQ saga and the road, college/ five acres etc was started a long time before we became the cabinet. Wasn't our plan , wasn't our wish , was an inherited project already way down the line. Personally, I would never have even started the project. However we have to face what we have before us , so we asked for an open review. It lasts over a year takes loads of evidence independently , comes up with recommendations and we publicly state that we cannot see there being any more road funding and say that based on the review we will :

1. Proceed with planning applications for the development of work units/live work units on plots F1 and F2 which do not appear to be contentious.

2. Use the findings from this inquiry to consider how Cinderford Northern Quarter sits in the new Local Plan 2041 and consider the impact of all relevant changes to legislation, regulations, and best practice guidance.


3. Engage with local educational and construction organisations to see if there is an opportunity to work in partnership with the Council in delivering residential development in a way that improves its viability and is better aligned to the challenging land conditions. This might include nonstandard construction /low impact homes or even student accommodation on the site . Cabinet believes that by using those educational organisations. their apprentices, their trainees, and our local companies we can deliver true community housing and business premises while at the same time giving those students an opportunity to learn hands on.
This is very much aligned to the education led regeneration project we wish to achieve.

4. Engage with Steam Mills primary school and the local education authorities to see if there is an appetite for discussion of relocation of the school to the Cinderford Northern Quarter in line with the current road availability. In the short term we will also engage with Gloucestershire Highways and County Council to request a 20mph zone outside the current school zone during school hours and furthermore begin discussions as to whether ALL forest of dean schools should have an automatic 20mph zone outside their gates during school times.

5. Engage with Glos Col, Hartpury College, and University, all our local secondary schools and our colleagues at Wye Valley Tourism to develop the prospect of a wildlife/environment training and visitor centre on the rest of the site.

Nothing pre determined, nothing already planned, just an effort to see whats possible.


Now most people are seeing this as positive, a new direction, a way forward and actually very much in line with all that the opponents of the sites development have been asking for , demanding for a decade. Nothing that isn't rather good . local growth for young people, accepting all the ground condition issues and wanting to celebrate both environment and heritage.

The Greens response to the press release ? a simple quote "dream on".
Dream on ladies and gentlemen, dream on. Dream on if you actually want any say in what happens, dream on if you want any growth, any jobs or any education, dream on if anything you want to do or achieve doesn't at first fit their view of the world and what it should be, Dream on if you want to retain Cannop ponds because they believe rewilding would be better, dream on if you don't want a new eco exemplar town that will eat up any hope of social housing or investment anywhere else in the Forest due to the huge costs their demands place on developers and builders. Dream on if you think they will tell you this before the election, they tell us they have more sense than that
Dream on if you
think these people are the cosy, somewhat eccentric cardigan wearing environmentalists of the past.
Dream on of you want to accept climate emergency and want to deal with it but also deal with housing, with jobs , with transport. Because those issues will always be secondary
Dream on if you don't think that locally at least the Green party are a funded and drilled organisation, determined to disrupt and to enforce their views on every aspect of your life.
Dream on Dream on Dream on.

Im sick of trying to reach out to them, they are deceitful ( and i shall be outing one of their Berry Hill candidates soon for the bullshit he's spouted about me just because of a housing application near where he lives, how dare you try to damage my name and my families name in this village with your nasty vicious rumour mongering) .

I sacked two Greens from Cabinet because they refused to support the local plan strategy, democratically voted for by all council . I had already taken planning off one of the Green Cabinet members because of the complete mess he made of the previous local plan strategy. Instead of listening to parish councils, businesses and developers, he instead pressed ahead trying to force a SUPER GREEN TOWN on Churcham. On Flood land, against the will of the people and at what have been massive cost to any developer. It came to a head when other Cabinet members insisted I got shot of them when both Greens suggested they were supportive of the draining of Cannop ponds for rewilding options. I sacked them because above all , they refused to make public their views on both subjects for political gain. That goes against everything we are about .My Cabinet felt they could not trust them any longer. I gave them every opportunity, liked both and considered them friends . They made me look a total fool for trusting them and yes , perhaps I’m over sensitive . Ask my cabinet members, ask them if you think Im lying ask them.
They were sacked, not for having different views or opinions but for not being open with the public about those views. They believe silence is the better policy. I and my cabinet believe honesty is.
Ask any Green candidate on their view on Extinction Rebellion, On Cannop Ponds, on Rewilding and on a new town or where it should be ( and look them in the eye when they answer;
But Dream on? So before the conversation has even begun, before any proposals are put forward before any projects, any opportunities are developed we have a closed shut down,
Destined again to rally the troops, those saviours of the Dean, the self-appointed trustees of our Forest.
The ones who will show you copies of maps from half a century ago, will speak about bats and butterflies and just because you want to also talk about jobs education and housing, will paint you as either stupid, a liar or corrupt or a combination of the three.
Destined for challenge and courts, rather than discussion and hope.
I may not be re-elected
I may not be leader of this brilliant council
But I'm telling you all now, The Forest of Deans Greens are damaging and dangerous.

Team

Julia Gooch

Leader of the Group and hugely respected Council Chairperson

Julia has served the Newent & Taynton ward with dedication and drive. Her spell as Chairperson of the Council has brought a new found respectability and positivity to the Councils reputation at major Civic events. A complete Independent who puts her ward and her district first and foremost. The Council is fortunate to have her in her role and the Group are proud to have her as their leader

Paul Hiett

Long term Councillor and current Deputy Leader of the Council

Paul has been a brilliant Bream ward member on various councils for 25 years, A complete and total community champion. Leads the team dealing with community support grants and leads the Forest of Dean community safety partnership. Passion, integrity and straight talking Paul is now taking his many skills into the climate emergency challenge

Claire Vaughan

Cabinet Member for Housing

Claire joined the cabinet because of her extensive knowledge and passion on social and affordable housing. In her spell with this portfolio the councils affordable housing delivery numbers have literally gone through the roof. Lydney representative but a lover of the Forest, Hardworking and honest , a key part of the administration

Team

Bernie Oneill

Cabinet member for business, ( award nominated )

The Member for the Ruspidge where he works for his community everyday. Which makes his work on Cabinet with Businesses all the more amazing. From Start up Grants to sitting on the board of the FEP Bernie has put everything into supporting the business community through simply horrendously difficult times, They appreciate this so much and its seen him be nominated for a major national award.

Jamie Elsmore

Councillor for Berry Hill and FANS Chairman

If the group wanted one person to join it, it would have been Jamie. Passionate and driven, loves his ward of Berry Hill, loves the Forest. His work on The Five Acres Community group exhibited many of the skills that also make him an excellent ward councillor Learning the ways of Council but with a massive future . The Council needs more councillors like Jamie Elsmore. Jamie is currently leading The Progressive Independents opposition to the loss of Cannop Ponds proposed by Forestry England and supported in secret by the Green Party

Tim Gwilliam

Council Leader

Blog

Lydney, a new Town and the Local Plan

Lydney, a new Town and the Local Plan

The story of Lydney and also why the Greens new town , wont work

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The Climate emergency Issue

The Climate emergency Issue imageThe Climate emergency Issue imageThe Climate emergency Issue image
The Climate emergency, and the environment are subjects that we must ALL take responsibility for. They cant be owned , or used by individuals or groups and used as political weapons or tactically when they lose a debate.
Indeed when people or parties try to politicise the climate emergency and the need to reduce carbon etc is the time other people switch off and the whole discussion and impetus is lost.

We all must take responsibility. and we cant allow it to be used as a political weapon.

Since taking over as the administration we have declared both a climate and biodiversity emergency.
 
Climate is fundamental to everything we do, it is a primary consideration in all reports and decision making, it is part of our Corporate plan.
 
We have increased the amount of officers directly dealing with CE. Demonstrating the level of priority it is to us.
 
We are the only Council in the whole of Europe selected for the 500,000 Euro Aurora project.
 
The Cabinet portfolio holder meets regularly with the Climate Emergency officers.
 
We have exciting bids in place for further Climate projects that will make a fundamental change to our environment.
 
The Cabinet portfolio holder is a “Commissioner” along with representatives from three Welsh Councils working to improve the health of the River Wye.



the others and what you must decide

the others and what you must decide image
May 2023 will see the next Local Government elections for the Forest of Dean Council. The people of the district will have a choice between the growth, prosperity, good fiscal management and openness of the last 6 years or a return to the party politically driven stagnation of the past.
Everyone will have a political view, an opinion or support a party. We believe that at District Council Level such ideology only damages the district. We have all seen the years of political parties arguing and back biting and getting absolutely nothing achieved for the district as a result. They are so busy trying to out politic each other that they forget why they are in the Council in the first place.
We know this as some of us were part of that nonsense in the past. Nonsense that sees Cllrs vote for or against opportunities or proposals for political gain, because it is the party line, or because you are under instruction from the whip.
It is possible to put the district before politics, it is possible to escape that nonsense.
While we are talking national politics, do you really trust any of them?
It has been a period of years where the quality and standards of those in the highest office has been frankly shocking, lurching from one crisis to another.
These are not the political leaders of the past.
These are people who should not be representing you.
And those that decide to follow that national standard, that national party dogma here in the Forest of Dean similarly, do not deserve your support.
There have been some party linked Cllrs who have been able to set aside their political ambitions for the good of the district in recent years. Members of Labour, and until recently the Greens have played major roles in creating the vibrant quality council the FODDC has become.
The Conservatives, under their current leadership have just opposed everything. They have held progression up and frankly need to look at themselves and their behaviour very closely. They even opposed the Council purchase of a brownfield site for £1. The same site their own Government granted the council millions of pounds for as part of a major regeneration project that the Independents gained, while working. They are mixed up, negative, openly dangerous and need to be sent a lesson, even by their own supporters that they need to re-evaluate and re set. A strong and compelling Conservative party is important to the Country in the same way as a strong Labour or Lib Dem Party. This current Conservative party simply is not fit for purpose. At every level of Government, Westminster to County to our District Council this current Conservative party have proved they are prepared to damage the Forest of Dean's aspirations and plans just for political gain, to score a few points.
Likewise, there are some so called Independents who have not played anything like a worthwhile role in the last term of Council. They have been ploughing their own furrow, and in some cases actively working against the current administration for their own personal ambition or reasons.
You can tell who these Independents are, they are not in the Progressive Independent Group and have chosen opposition instead. We would urge you to ask each of them to give you one positive contribution they have made to the FODDC in the last 4 years.
Opposition and complaining for four years are easy. You sit there in Council or write letters to the press and moan and tell the world how bad everything is or worse do nothing but take your allowance. We will not have them in our group, you will see and know who they are, ask them what they’ve done for their allowance, you may be shocked by the answer.
The Greens have been an important part of the rainbow cabinet in the last few years. So, it was particularly disappointing to have them choose success at the elections over the best future for the Forest. They have said much about why they are no longer in the coalition of the willing, but the simple facts are this.
They want a bespoke garden village. A new settlement where Green Ideology is absolute, A Green Oasis, an exemplar of what they believe in. A completely new settlement, where developers will have to put Green directed planning policies before the provision of affordable housing or anything else. The Council as a whole made the decision to move away from this idea at Churcham when developers and legal advice told us we would not be able to provide infrastructure or affordable homes either there or anywhere else in the Forest, such would be the costs to developers wishing to build there.
So, the Council came up with a new strategy. Its fine that the Greens may wish to put their own views forward, but they did not do that. Instead, they undertook a campaign to damage the new strategy, negatively with incorrect statements, misleading quotes and at no point telling the public what their actual plan is. When asked when they would tell the public what they will do if in charge and where they will build this new Green Town, they said they wouldn’t announce it because it wouldn’t be electorally savvy ! That is deceitful, its party politics in the extreme and its just one of the reasons they were removed from the coalition.
There is a balance to be struck, we must deal with the climate emergency as a matter of upmost urgency and that exactly what the administration is doing, having spend more money and done more work reducing our carbon footprint than any other council in the region.
But we have and have had other emergencies, in housing, in Covid and in the cost of Living. We have been successful in brining new businesses, new jobs, and opportunities to the Forest. University education and a sound business footing for the council.
These things done, with the climate emergency at the very forefront of them all, are the way to succeed in reducing carbon and creating true sustainability and a cultural and heritage supporting Council.
The simple facts are that the Greens are completely ill equipped to consider anything other than the climate. It is vital yes, but there must be other considerations to take account of. They attack anyone who wants to discuss any other priority, and genuinely prove to be a real hindrance to anyone who disagrees with them. It’s a huge shame but the simple fact is we have a number of priorities that are of equal importance, and you cannot be in the administration and be the opposition at the same time.
So we urge the discerning voter to look carefully at who has been part of the fantastic stuff that has gone on.
Ask your candidate what they have done if they were in Council, ask the Greens where their Green City will go and above all please, make sure you vote for someone who loves this wonderful district more than they do a political emblem.

Portfolio

  • A Personal View

  • Its not been all beer and skittles !

  • Urban

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  • The Forest of Dean

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10 RULES TO BUILD A WILDLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

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Testimonials

 “Tim Gwilliam’s leadership in the Forest of Dean really has helped put the area on the map. He is a powerful voice for the Forest in the county’s local government. “Tim is proud of the Forest and has encouraged increasing investment in the area. “Standing up and being counted is a characteristic that Tim has in spades”. 

Ian Mean: Business West Gloucestershire director and former editor of the Western Daily Press

 The Save Cannop Ponds Team would like to thank Jamie for supporting our campaign to save the Ponds" 

SAVE CANNOP PONDS: COMMUNITY GROUP

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October Newsletter

October 2023

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Our Response to the changed Green Budget

         

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