New council leader reveals her priorities
Councillor Lisa Spivey has been elected the first female county council leader for Gloucestershire
Clearing up highways signs left for weeks on end, a commitment to children in care and making roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians are the three first things Shire Hall’s new leaders will work on.
Gloucestershire County Council’s new Liberal Democrat leader Lisa Spivey (LD, South Cerney) told today’s (May 21) meeting that the electorate made it clear they want immediate change.
She outlined her Lib Dem administration’s bold and ambitious commitment to getting on with the job.
And said putting the pride back into Gloucestershire is among the three things they will get on with straight away.
She said a dedicated team will be sent out to collect left over road signs in the county’s verges. The authority will also work to bring its young children in care outside of the county back home to Gloucestershire.
And the council will consult with town and parishes about the possibility of reducing the speed limit to make it safer for walkers and cyclists.
“Residents in Gloucestershire are fed up with signs left on verges after road works, and so are we”, she said.
“Highway signs, cones left for weeks, months, sometimes years. From today we will begin a clear up operation and have a team dedicated to collecting all of these left over signs from our verges.
“It’s time to take pride in Gloucestershire and make sure it looks great.”
She said the council will also make a commitment to the county’s most vulnerable young children.
“Too many children are placed out of county for their care,” she said.
“We want to bring our children home and make sure we have the right homes in care, in the county so we will be doubling down on our efforts to support fostering, getting our children’s homes open and preventing children leaving the county unnecessary.”
She also said they make a commitment to making roads, towns and villages safer for road users. “Residents across the county have asked for speed reductions across the county.
“This week we will start consulting with town and parish councils on our pledge to introduce lower speed limits where parish, town, district, county councillors are in favour of it.”
Cllr Spivey said it will not be easy and the authority faces enormous challenges and will have to make difficult decisions. She said she will be open, transparent and honest with the public about the challenges they face and how they deal with them.
“My ask of you is that in these forums dialogue is respectful and constructive and its purpose is always for the betterment of our county and its residents,” she said.
“I ask that we conduct ourselves in a manner that demonstrates kindness, compassion and consideration and that we work with each other and not against each other.”