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Primary school-aged children across the Forest of Dean are being invited to make a collage that represents how they feel about their market town closest to home.

The new leisure, enterprise and education facility at Five Acres in Berry Hill received planning permission on Tuesday 13 February, following a decision by the Council’s Development Management Committee.

Councillor Adrian Birch has been appointed co-deputy leader of Forest of Dean District Council, alongside Councillor Andy Moore. He replaces Councillor Jackie Fraser who has reluctantly decided to step down from her role for personal reasons.  

Following consultation with residents, Forest of Dean District Council Cabinet Members have agreed on an amended draft budget for 2024/25. The proposed budget maintains local services in the face of reducing funding and plans for further expected cuts to local government finance. 

Forest of Dean District Council is providing £20,000 to fund 24 lunch clubs across the district.

Businesses in the Forest of Dean are being invited to apply for a second round of Rural Business Grants to develop and grow their business. This funding is available for a limited time, so businesses are being encouraged to act quickly so they do not miss out. 

The Forest of Dean District Council has agreed to provide £160,529 of unallocated affordable housing funding to a Community Led Housing Scheme in Longhope. 

Since April 2023, Forest of Dean District Council has provided over £147,500 to those most in need in the Forest, with a further £82,500 to be supplied before April 2024 as the cost of living continues to rise. The funding has been distributed by the Council on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions, from the Household Support Fund.  

Forest Deli in Coleford and Plump Hill Farm in Longhope have been granted over £22,000 in Rural Business Grant funding to make improvements to their businesses. The funding comes from the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF).  

Councillor Jackie Dale has been appointed to the Council’s cabinet as Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities. 

Nature-based solutions such as planting trees to reduce rainfall run-off or to help keep urban areas cooler, are measures residents could see implemented as part of a collaborative project to make the Forest’s towns and parishes more resilient to the impacts of climate change.  

Forest of Dean residents opting for a real tree this Christmas will be able to have it collected from the convenience of the kerbside once the festivities are over.