Every year this is a challenging issue to debate because we know the wider impact it has; equally, our role is to support the local community and provide services which meet the social, environmental and economic needs of Cirencester.

Whilst the 2^nd reading of the Private Members Bill, proposed by Roz Savage MP, was adjourned and now not likely to be considered further due to other parliamentary priorities, the Town Council wanted to show support for this important Bill.

Our CEO recently spoke at a national conference about the wider value of markets and events to the local community and economy of Cirencester. Whilst we have a diverse offer of markets and themed events, we want to extend that offer in the future. One idea from Market Harborough is an all-age Comic Con event. Everything to do with film and TV including characters, actors, cosplay, merch, toys, and collectables. Or maybe a themed weekend, such as a throwback to the 1980’s!

We are particularly interested in hearing from students at Cirencester College and the RAU, as well as young people in employment about the type of markets and events they would like to see in Cirencester.

Following extensive engagement with the local community and stakeholders, officers are currently preparing a draft strategy, for consideration by the Council’s Green Spaces Strategy Group on March 4th.

Following public consultation the Town Council approved the budget estimates for 2025-26 with an increase in expenditure from £1.8 million to £2.2 million, an increase of 22% with estimated income increasing from £205k to £346k, which is an increase of 69%.

We have a significant level of responsibility on behalf of the local community in looking after a wide range of historic assets, as well as land and the public realm, and community services which includes markets and events, community safety and children and young people.

We would like to say thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in being co-opted onto the Town Council to represent the Chesterton Ward, alongside Cllr Andy Jopp.

We use the Commonplace platform for public consultation and engagement. In 2024, over 3,300 people visited the ‘Cirencester Town’ portal.

Cirencester Town Council is consulting the public on its budget for 2025, to assess the amount of council tax needed to support local services and projects.

We have a vacancy on the Town Council for the Chesterton Ward and wondered if you would be willing to step up for your local community. The vacancy will be filled by co-option.

We have various recreational activities at St Michael’s Park, including crazy golf, pitch n putt, croquet, boules and tennis.

Congratulations to the team at Cirencester Town Council’s LIC who recently were accredited Silver in the South West Tourism Awards.

Our grounds team are responsible for maintaining significant areas of open space and public realm throughout Cirencester.

The Local Information Centre received a record 2,671 visitors in October 2024.

Wow, what an amazing inaugural festival. With 99% of tickets sold across the whole programme, credit to everyone involved who made it the success it was.

Over nine action-packed days, history came alive with an amazing line-up of events and speakers.

The Cirencester Waterways: Environment and People Symposium was held on June 12th 2024 at the Royal Agricultural University.

In early 2024, the Town Council was required to fell a diseased Beech Tree in Abbey Grounds. To honour the tree’s legacy and connect young people with their local heritage, the Council decided to transform the felled tree into a distinctive natural play feature featuring three animals of local significance: The Hare, the Phoenix, and the Cotswold Lion Sheep.

Thank you to everyone who responded to the Regulation 14 consultation and visited the exhibition. We are now collating, and reading through, every comment from statutory consultees and members of the public.

Cirencester Town Council’s Local Information Centre has secured a significant achievement in the Green Tourism awards certification programme with a silver in recognition of the business’s commitment to sustainability.