COLUMN by Stroud District Council deputy leader Natalie Bennett

If you are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of people living in your local community then now is a good time to consider standing as a councillor as local elections for our parish, town and district councils will be taking place next year on 2 May.

Being a councillor is rewarding, challenging and enjoyable; if you would like to find out more then come along to the “Be a Councillor” event on Wednesday 6 September at Ebley Mill.

The session will be split into two sessions, Parish/Town Councillor - 6.00pm start, District Councillors -7.00pm start.

To register your interest in the event please email democratic. services@stroud.gov.uk

Results day can be a stressful experience for students and I would like to wish every success for the future to those who received their exam results last week, whatever their next steps may be, and good luck to everyone who will get their GCSE results this week.

If you don’t get the results you hoped for there is good advice available and the first port of call should be your teachers at school or college.

We’re approaching the last couple of weeks of the school summer holidays and if you need some new ideas for fun things to do to keep the children entertained do take a look at the long list of free-of-charge and low cost activities on the council’s website and social media channels.

Here in Nailsworth I’m pleased to see that Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) are running a consultation with residents living near to Forest Green Rovers as it can be very busy with traffic on home match days.

GCC are the Highways Authority and are proposing changes to current parking arrangements to try to improve the situation.

If you have received a consultation letter and have concerns then please do respond.