About
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.
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.
