News

Cllr Lisa Spivey has been elected as the new Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, the first woman to ever hold the role.

Cllr Lisa Spivey, Leader of the Council, said: “I am incredibly honoured to have been elected Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, becoming the first woman to hold the office. I bring a hands-on, energetic leadership style and I am committed to making a real difference for the residents of Gloucestershire. 

“Supported by my Cabinet, I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work – with passion, determination, and a vision for a stronger Gloucestershire.”

As part of her acceptance speech, Cllr Spivey announced the following immediate priorities:

• Children – doubling down on support for the most vulnerable children in our county
• Highways – dedicated team to clear up signs, barriers and cones from verges
• Speed reduction – making towns and villages safer and more pleasant places to walk and cycle

Below is a full list of Cabinet members and their areas of responsibility:

• Cllr Colin Hay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets & Transformation
• Cllr Kate Usmar, Cabinet Member for Adults’ Support & Independence
• Cllr Ben Evans, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding & Care
• Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities & Fire
• Cllr Linda Cohen, Cabinet Member for Education & Skills
• Cllr Joe Harris, Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance & Communication
• Cllr Roger Whyborn, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & Strategic Highways
• Cllr Julian Tooke, Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development, Planning & Infrastructure
• Cllr Martin Horwood, Cabinet Member for Nature, Climate & Waste reduction

22 May 2025

Multi-agency statement ahead of Gloucester cheese rolling event

The Tewkesbury Borough Safety Advisory Group (SAG) has again raised concerns over public safety at the annual cheese rolling event on Cooper’s Hill. A particular concern raised by members of the SAG is how emergency services would be able to respond if there was a major incident with multiple casualties.  

The event, which is taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 May, attracts thousands of people to the site near Brockworth and is a historical event engrained in the county’s identity and heritage.   

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environmental Services, Councillor Murray Stewart, said “The cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill is a unique tradition in our county and we have no desire to stop it.   

“However, as the event does not have an official organiser, the relevant documentation and plans detailing how members of the public will be kept safe, has not been submitted.  

“The Safety Advisory Group has been left with no alternative other than to declare the event unsafe and has a duty to share this with the public.    

“We are advising those planning to attend or participate in the cheese rolling to consider the risks they might be putting themselves in.”  

The SAG consists of agencies, including the emergency services, who work together to promote high levels of safety and welfare at events by giving advice and guidance.  

Members have asked for additional information to help them understand the plans for the event and how issues around traffic and parking on the day will be dealt with. Such things are standard items for any public events. However, as the event does not have an official organiser, the relevant documentation and plans detailing how they will keep members of the public safe, has not been submitted.  

At previous cheese rolling events, several people have suffered medical episodes and injuries which required emergency treatment by paramedics. Double-crewed ambulances and rapid response vehicles struggled to gain access to the site for a prolonged period of time.   

This puts a strain on the resources of both Gloucestershire Constabulary and South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, impacting emergency service provision.  

ENDS 

Gloucestershire County Council is introducing No Waiting at Any Time (Double Yellow Line) Restrictions on various roads within the Twigworth Green Phase 2 development in association with the ongoing development to the south-east of the A38 Tewkesbury Road (planning ref – 19/00935/APP).

To view the relevant documents, please see below:

• Sealed Order
• Sealed Tile x 1
• Sealed Tile x 2
• Notice of Making
• Updated Due Regard Statement
• Draft Order
• Notice of Intention
• Consultation Plan
• Statement of Reasons
• Due Regard Statement
• 2017 Order

HAVE YOUR SAY – this Order comes into effect on 29th May 2025.

Councillor Kashan Pervaiz was invested as Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough at a ceremony held at Tithe Barn in Bishop’s Cleeve on Tuesday, 13 May 2025.

Guests welcomed the new Mayor at the ceremony, which included musical performances by students and alumni from Cleeve School.

The mayor is the first citizen of the borough and members of the council nominate a councillor each year to take on the role. The mayor chairs council meetings, represents the council at civic events and attends community engagements throughout the year.

Councillor Pervaiz lives in Bishop’s Cleeve and represents the Cleeve St Michael’s ward on the borough council. He named his wife, Aisha Azmi, as his mayoress.

Councillor George Porter was invested as Deputy Mayor for the year at the same ceremony.

Councillor Pervaiz said: “I am deeply honoured to serve as the Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough. I look forward to working closely with our community, supporting local initiatives, and representing our borough with pride and dedication.

“I am committed to making a positive impact throughout my term.”

Councillor Pervaiz also went on to recognise The Butterfly Garden and Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers as his two chosen charities for the year.

On behalf of all residents, Twigworth Parish Council has raised the VE 80 Day flag this morning, at the Church of St Matthew, to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day to honour this historic milestone.

Unfortunately this post is unlikely to reach those that choose to offend but hopefully it offers some support to the victims of this unwelcome behaviour, the community are here to offer their help.

There is no place in our community for those who create the anti-social behaviour, be it with drug use, loud music, speeding cars, littering or just plain harassment or intimidation.

You are not welcome!

Apologies for errors on original post

The turnout was 35.79%.

Sarah Jane Hands (Lib Dem) has been elected as a county councillor with 1,074 votes.

For the full results, visit the county council website. https://orlo.uk/F8BeW