The Parish Councils annual return has been returned by the auditors with no comments – which means a clean bill of health. Anyone wishing to see a copy of the annual return should contact the Clerk.

At the beginning of our August meeting, the quality certificate was presented by Kim Bedford, County Secretary of the Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils. Kim congratulated the Parish Council on their achievement, and Chairman Adrian Cooper explained that the Council has set up a committee to monitor compliance with the standards for Quality Status, which are about to change, so that we can continue working at the highest standard, and will have no problem re-qualifying in four years time.

In conjunction with Brockweir & Hewelsfield Parish Council we are producing a welcome pack of useful information for people moving into the area. A draft version will be provided for approval to both parish councils in September, and we hope to have some printed and available in the autumn. The information will also be made available on our website, and we will make some copies available around the area for existing residents. We will rely on people letting us know when you have new neighbours so that we can send them out.

Our plans to remove the leylandii trees in the autumn are ongoing – the trees are to be replaced with slower growing native species. The cemetery committee are concerned that the rules regarding graves are not being adhered to. Our rules state that the surface of graves must be kept as level turf, to enable mowing. We have written to the owners of graves where planting has taken place, and asked for the graves to be restored to turf in the autumn, so that next years mowing can take place uninterrupted. Flowers in vases or pot plants are allowed only in holders on the base of the memorial itself. We understand that some relatives may be upset by this, however with a large cemetery to maintain, it is essential that we are able to use large mowers between the rows of gravestones, and if the surface of graves is planted, this becomes impossible.

We have already allocated our budgeted sum for donations for this financial year. We have been approached by the Assembly Rooms who are looking for a large donation, and this has been referred to our finance committee who will meet in November. If there are any other organisations who wish to apply for a donation from the Parish Council for the next financial year, please put your request in writing to the Parish Clerk by the end of September. In order to consider a request it needs to be made by an organisation based in St Briavels, and we require detailed information regarding the project or purpose of the donation, including project budget and sources of other funds, along with your organisations last year’s accounts. If you would like to apply but need more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Michelle.