Feedback wanted on Tewkesbury Borough Council’s draft Council Plan
Posted on: 19 January 2024
Tewkesbury Borough Council is asking for feedback on its proposed new Council Plan, which sets out its new vision, priorities and focus areas for the next four years.
The consultation, which is live from Friday, 19 January and runs to Friday, 2 February, invites views on whether what is being proposed will ensure the best outcomes for residents, businesses and communities in the borough.
The council’s proposed vision is ‘supporting people, strengthening communities’ and it is underpinned by three priorities:
- Caring for our people – being dedicated to the wellbeing of our communities to ensure our borough is a supportive, inclusive and thriving place with a focus on those that need us most.
- Caring for our environment – providing community leadership to support the borough to become carbon neutral. Delivery policies and practices that protect and enhance our environment.
- Caring for our place – committing to working with our communities to shape the future of our towns, villages and rural areas, actively contributing to the prosperity of our borough.
Sitting underneath each of these priorities, the council is proposing that it focuses its delivery actions on eight big issues, which range from flooding, growth and young people to health and wellbeing, the economy and climate.
To coincide with the launch of the new plan, the council is using the opportunity to explore the option of a new name for Tewkesbury Borough Council.
Options were originally being considered to update the council’s existing logo, which is out of date and difficult to use on digital assets such as the website and online forms.
During discussions with councillors, community groups and local businesses, it became clear that many communities in the borough do not actually identify with the name ‘Tewkesbury Borough’, and so as part of this consultation, the council is keen to hear views on changing its name to better reflect the whole area and the towns and villages within it. One suggestion that has been proposed is North Gloucestershire Borough Council – it is felt that such a name would also support the council’s ambition to attract jobs and investment for the whole borough and better reflect its key strategic location.
Importantly, if the council was to change its name, all costs would be minimal, particularly as the logo is primarily used on digital assets. The design work would be done in-house and physical signage across the borough would be updated and replaced in line with its normal life cycle.
Find out about the draft plan and submit your feedback here: Tewkesbury Borough Council – Council Plan 2024-2028 – Tewkesbury Borough Council
Hard copies of the consultation are also available on request by emailing council.plan@tewkesbury.gov.uk or calling 01684 295010.
Tewkesbury Borough Council Leader, Councillor Richard Stanley, said “We are very keen to create a new four-year plan for the council that reflects the ambitions of the new council and the views of local people, businesses and community organisations.
“I encourage those groups in the borough to respond to the consultation and to let us know if our draft plan addresses key concerns and issues for the area. All responses will be carefully considered, so please help us to shape a positive future for Tewkesbury Borough.
“The consultation also includes questions on a proposed name change for the council and I’m keen to hear people’s views on this. We know this has been talked about for years, and recent feedback from community groups, businesses and parishes shows people feel the name ‘Tewkesbury Borough’ isn’t considered representative of our entire borough – it’s more associated with Tewkesbury Town, which can cause confusion, especially for people from outside our area.
“We want to make sure our name is as inclusive as it possibly can be – our borough covers 160 square miles and includes other large areas such as Brockworth, Bishop’s Cleeve, Winchcombe and Churchdown – and many more! We believe a new name has the potential to raise the profile of our borough, help us to attract new jobs and investment, and better reflect our important location in the country.
“It’s important to stress that no decision has been made on changing the name, but since the whole council is embracing change anyway as part of the new Council Plan, it makes sense that we take the opportunity to consider a change of name as well.”
