There is currently a plan to build 31 houses on Middle Hill opposite the allotments. The development will be for 31 houses, 8 for affordable rent (20% below market rent) 8 for equity share (part mortgage and part rent) and 15 for market sale.

the houses are on what is known as a rural exception site which is a site where building would not normally be permitted unless it is for social housing.

there are real concerns about the effect on the local infrastructure, including increased traffic joining the A419, schools and the doctors surgery.

I asked for the application to be called into Planning and for a sites visit. The application was due to be heard on the the 3rd September and together with many parishioners and Parish Councillors we attended the meeting. The application was deferred due to a late response from County Highways who objected to the internal layout of the site and will go to the October meeting.

I have spoken to Planning at District and at present they are unsure as to what is likely to happen.

Lots of volunteers help Debbie deliver her Lunch Clubs and so Debbie thought it was right to return the favour. As well as delivering food surplus to the Long Table, based in Brimscombe Port she also volunteers every Thursday prepping veg for the lunchtime service

Rural and social isolation is a major problem for our older people so Debbie runs a Lunch and Breakfast club each week at the Frith Youth Centre. Debbie takes surplus food from a local supermarket and turns it into a 3 course lunch every Tuesday

"There is also a choice of starter, main course and dessert plus a hot drink and chocolates to follow" Debbie said "The Lunch costs £5 as does the full english on a Friday, but its not just about the food its about the friendship, our motto is come for the food stay for a chat" she continued

The clubs also provide volunteering opportunities for those with learning disabilities enabling people to get into work through work experience and a reference.

Anyone is welcome and can just pop in.

Debbie was shortlisted for the Woman of the Year awards in 2017 for Gloucestershire, the BBC West Food and Farming Awards in 2018 and the Prince of Wales Community award at the Royal Bath and West Show in 2019 for this work.

The Frith Youth Centre is a space for all ages. Youth Club runs every Monday, Thursday and Friday night, but there are also art classes, a community cafe, dancing classes, a breakfast and a Lunch Club

The Club is a valuable space and activity and as such needs people to help manage it. Debbie has joined the Management Committee to ensure the Club keeps on providing its service. 

Debbie said " being on the management committee means a whole range of things, from clearing out the rubbish, helping out at the car boot sales to making financial decisions to ensure the club is on a sound financial footing"

More volunteers are also needed so it your interested in helping out, give Debbie a call

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Debbie together with other local Conservative activists campaigned about the introduction of car parking charges in our Market Towns. She campaigned in Dursley, Stratford Park and Nailsworth where many local residents shop use the facilities and was pleased to see that charges were not brought in thanks to the large petition that was produced

Debbie believes in doing and not just talking so when local groups are running an event she is more than happy to help. She does a regular weekly slot in the Village Shop in the Valley and is there from 11-1 every Thursday, so as well as picking up your weekly shop of fresh fruit and veg, local meat and bread you can air your views.
This year Debbie has also helped out at the France Lynch and Chalford Hill Garden Trail and The Scarecrow Trail 
Debbie also cooks each month for the Frith Youth Club car boot sale which runs every first Sunday of the month  during the Summer (April to October) raising funds for the Youth Club

As we all know there have been lots of road closures in the Parish due to works to install broadband and these have not been running too smoothly. Debbie met with Gigaclear the broadband provider, Complete Utilities the installer, Gloucestershire Highways and the Parish Council this week . " Highways, myself and the Parish made it perfectly clear we were happy about the communications to ourselves and residents regarding what was happening when. We were happy with the meeting and the ways works were to progress. We were given a timetable of work and road closures and it seemed a really successful meeting" said Debbie
Then this happened, a burst water main and collapse along the High Street at 7.30 this morning. 650 homes and Chalford Hill Primary had no water, 6 families were evacuated and the road was closed. Debbie was on the scene talking to local residents and liaising with the Parish Council for them to update their website. The current position is that most homes should be back on mains water, but bottled water has been delivered to all those affected The High Street is likely to remain out of action for several months once the water main has been repaired and the road will need to be demolished and rebuilt.
Debbie continued "My main concern was that affected residents had water, the lack of drinking water was compounded by the hot weather and I wanted to make sure all households were aware of the issue and had fresh water. I also wanted to make sure the evacuated residents had somewhere to stay. I was very impressed at the Teamwork of all the agencies, Highways, Severn Trent, Stroud District Council and the Police were all working together and working hard for those residents affected."

Debbie operates a food surplus company, each day she collects food surplus from a well know supermarket and distributes it to local charities, such as Marah, Foodbank or the Nelson Trust. She also cooks with it running two Lunch Clubs in Stroud and Chalford and a Big Breakfast in Chalford. Anyone can pop along and pay £5 for wither a three course lunch or  a very big breakfast. Very often Neighbourhood Wardens or PCSOs will pop in the hear residents concerns and pass on information

Debbie really believes that as a Councillor you should take part and help in Community Events, which is why she helps or attends Village and School fetes, food collections and helps in the local shop 

Debbie has in past run the volunteer rota for the Community Village shop. She does 11-1 every Thursday, so pop in for a chat and some shopping