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It’s Christmas lights prep time!! If anyone has half an hour spare, this week during the day, to wrap lights round a tree please do pop along to the Community Centre to help! Bring the sparkle to your Town! Mince pies and coffee for all volunteers… leave a comment to let us know when you’re coming. Thank you
The Lloyds Bank van is here tomorrow along with a whole host of fabulous stalls.
Cotswold District Council is asking residents, businesses and organisations across the district to give their views on the Council’s finances as it prepares to set the budget for the next financial year. ![]()
The budget consultation is open from Friday 3 November until midnight on Friday 8 December. The Council is keen to gather residents' views on key areas in the proposed budget including an increase to council tax and car park charges to help bridge the funding gap the Council faces and protect the vital services residents rely on.![]()
The budget also includes a recommendation to increase the cost of the garden waste service so that those using the service are covering the cost rather than other taxpayers subsidising it. There are also proposals for changes to some resident’s collection days for the waste collection service which will make the service more efficient and save significant amounts of money.![]()
The financial modelling done by the Council shows that unless significant changes are made to reduce spending and increase income, the Council will not be able to balance its budget in 2027.![]()
Over the last decade, the Council has seen its core Government funding reduced in real terms by 50% and the recent rise in inflation has pushed up the cost of delivering council services. On top of this, the much delayed review of local government funding suggests a further £3 million reduction in funding by 2027 which would cut the Council’s budget by around 25% in one go. ![]()
Cllr Mike Evemy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “The Government has failed to fund local councils properly and as a result, we’re now facing an unprecedented financial challenge.![]()
“The Council is in a sound financial position currently due to decisions in the last few years to raise charges and make services more efficient. I want to be upfront with residents that if we don’t take tough decisions in this budget, and over the next couple of years, we risk ending up like other councils that are now in really difficult financial positions - some have had to declare they are effectively bankrupt leading to big tax rises, huge hikes in charges and services shutting down.![]()
“Our proposals this year could save £1.5 million which would make a big difference and will help us to protect the services our residents and communities rely on. Last year, we were able to freeze car parking charges to help residents and visitors with the cost of living, but we can’t afford to continue that freeze next year.![]()
“I would urge everyone to complete our short survey once or join us at one of our forthcoming engagement events to have your say on how we navigate this challenge.”![]()
The budget consultation will start on Friday 3 November and will run until Friday 8 December. Residents, businesses and organisations are encouraged to engage with the consultation at your.cotswold.gov.uk. ![]()
As part of the consultation, the Council will hold a series of engagement events across the district so residents can speak with Council members and officers and ask any questions they may have about the Council or its finances. Details on engagement events will be announced soon and published on our website.![]()
More information about the Council’s priorities and Council Tax are available on the Cotswold District Council website.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2023 PARADE PLAN![]()
FAIRFORD ![]()
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1. Introduction. The Fairford Remembrance Sunday Parade is being conducted on![]()
Sunday 12th November. The coordination of the Parade is the responsibility Fairford Town Council (FTC) supported by the Royal British Legion (RBL), Fairford Branch and St Mary’s Church, Fairford. This document details the administrative coordination details for the event.![]()
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2. Parade in General. In outline, the Parade will comprise 5 phases:![]()
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a. Phase 1 – Forming the Parade. Those wishing to march will assemble at the Hyperion House nursing home at 10.15am. The Parade organisation representatives will receive a brief from the Parade Marshal on the format of the Parade. The Parade will then be formed up ready to march off . A blessing will be delivered by the Vicar prior to the Parade marching off.![]()
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b. Phase 2 – Parade to the Church. The Parade will march off from outside The Hyperion House nursing home to St Mary’s Church. The Parade will halt outside of St Mary’s Church and file into the church under instruction from the Parade Marshal. Standard/Banner/Flag and Wreath bearers are to congregate in the vicinity of the St Mary’s Church entrance porch.![]()
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c. Phase 3 – Church Service. The Vicar will lead the Remembrance Sunday![]()
Church Service. Under direction from the Vicar and during the first hymn, Bearers![]()
will move into the Church to the High Altar. They will then ‘Turn and Face’ the![]()
congregation for the Act of Remembrance. During the second hymn,![]()
Standards/Banners and wreaths will be placed on, or near the High Altar. These will then be retrieved during the final hymn.![]()
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d. Phase 4 – Reforming the Parade and Wreath Laying. On completion of![]()
the Church Service, the Parade will reform on High Street facing the Fairford War![]()
Memorial. Standard/Banner/Flag and Wreath bearers are to move to allocated![]()
positions beside the Memorial and at the front of the Parade respectively. The![]()
Parade Marshal will provide the signal to commence the laying of wreaths at the![]()
base of the Memorial which will be accompanied by the hymn ‘Abide with Me’ ![]()
sounded by the Bugler. The Parade will be at the position of 'Attention' and the![]()
Standard/Banner/ Flag will be in the 'Dipped in Honour' position for the duration ![]()
of the wreath laying. The vicar will close the proceedings with prayers.![]()
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e. Phase 5 – March Off and Parade Dismissal. On completion of the laying of![]()
Standard/Banner/Flag bearers are to re-join the Parade. On the signal from the![]()
Parade Marshal, the Parade will march off to the Market Place, ‘Halt’ and then![]()
disperse. The Parade Marshal will offer word of thanks and appreciation to all those who took part in the parade.