Latest news & events
Forest of Dean News
Dates for payment of Housing Benefit over Christmas
If you receive Housing Benefit from Forest of Dean District Council, here is a handy table showing when your payment(s) will be received over the Christmas period.
Leader thanks local postmen and women as they gear up to deliver a first class Christmas
Staff thanked for the extraordinary lengths they will go to ensure Christmas parcels and cards are delivered on time.
Council declares ‘Climate Emergency’ to champion rural decarbonisation
Aim is to achieve carbon neutrality for Forest of Dean District Council and the district by 2030, taking into account both production and consumption emissions.
Christmas food waste tradition is best left in the past
Gloucestershire’s Joint Waste Team at the Forest of Dean District Council is asking residents to put a stop to the traditional waste of food over the whole Christmas period, especially on the big day itself.
Council bans Chinese lanterns
Chinese lanterns pose a significant hazard once they have landed back to earth.
Annual Rough Sleeper Estimate
Each year between October and November in response to a request by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) all councils carry out a national count of rough sleepers in England.
Don’t let loan sharks bite this Christmas
Residents are being warned not to turn to predatory loan sharks to solve Christmas money worries.
Community invited to Chairman’s Christmas Carol Concert
Residents are invited to the Forest of Dean District Council Chairman’s Christmas Carol Concert.
Local young people meet to talk politics
Forest of Dean District Council has hosted the first meeting of the Forest Youth Council which took place on Monday 19 November at council offices in Coleford.
Early recognition of council's support for small business
Forest of Dean District Council’s Forest Economic Partnership (FEP) has scooped a special award for its economic support of local small businesses.
New booklet helps prepare for emergencies
The ‘Are You Ready?’ booklet provides clear practical advice to help people prepare for and respond to an emergency.
Forest Economic Partnership (FEP) builds momentum for a thriving economy
The FEP reflects on a great first year and looks forward to the challenges of 2019.
Community waste and recycling panel launched
Members of the public with an interest in recycling attended the Forest of Dean District Council’s very first community waste and recycling panel meeting this week.
Council enforcement decision upheld by Planning Inspector
Forest of Dean District Council’s decision to issue an enforcement notice for a breach of planning control at Yorkley Court Gate near Lydney (Ref APP/P1615/C/18/3194339) has been upheld by the Planning Inspectorate.
Local housing schemes scoop two prestigious environmental awards
Two new build housing schemes in the Forest of Dean District have been recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony held by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) Gloucestershire.
Severn Bridge delivers early Christmas present to motorists and Forest business
The Forest of Dean District Council welcomes the announcement that toll charges on the Severn Bridge will now be scrapped before Christmas.
New campus at Cinderford has a real ‘wow’ factor!
Students are settling in at Gloucestershire College’s new £15.8 million campus at Cinderford with the inaugural term now well underway.
District Council Chairman announces official charity
The Chairman of the District Council, Councillor Marrilyn Smart OBE, has chosen Forest Mental Health Carers Support Group as the local charity to receive her official support this year.
High Sheriff of Gloucestershire visits to support the Forest of Dean economy
The High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Charles Martell met with District Councillors and representatives of the recently formed Forest Economic Partnership.
Can you fix it? At a Repair Cafe you can!
Residents are being encouraged to repair broken household goods at Repair Cafes, rather than throwing them away.
Publica Group awarded for being Disability Confident
Publica Group has demonstrated its commitment to support people with disabilities and long term health conditions by being awarded the Disability Confident Accreditation.
Council elects Councillor Marrilyn Smart OBE as Chairman
Councillor Marrilyn Smart OBE has been elected as Chairman of Forest of Dean District Council with Councillor James Bevan as her deputy.
Watch our Full Council and Planning Committee meetings live online
Our Full Council and Planning Committee meetings are now available to watch live online.
Valley Road recycling bank site to be removed
The recycling facilities at Valley Road, Cinderford are to be withdrawn following an increase in fly-tipping at the site.
Publica Group features in national transformation toolkit
Publica Group is one of the case studies in a new national ‘Transformation in Localities Toolkit’ launched at the District Councils’ Network Spring Assembly.
Council to phase out pest control service
At the 10 May cabinet meeting members approved the recommendation to phase out the District Council’s pest control service.
Junior Warden campaign leads to dog fouling fine
A dog fouling campaign led by Bream Primary School pupils has resulted in a local resident being issued with a fine.
We’re in business!
All partner councils approve Publica plan for 2018/19
Growing attendance at second Forest Economic Partnership meeting
Up to 100 delegates from the private and public sector came together at a second Forest Economic Partnership meeting.
Changes to housing advice drop-in session times
From 30 April our Homeseeker Plus and Housing Options drop-in sessions are increasing.
Forest Economic Partnership set to showcase its new look
The Forest Economic Partnership is set to showcase its new look at this year's Enterprise Fair.
District wide leisure study commissioned
Cabinet has commissioned a company to look at leisure provision across the district.
Neighbourhood Development Plans made by Council
Following a referendum two new Neighbourhood Development Plans now formally make up part of the Development Plan for the Forest of Dean area.
We're inviting suggestions for land suitable for housing
We're inviting people and organisations to suggest where land in the district could be used for housing in our annual assessment of possible sites.
Church on the Street launches Coleford Memory Café
Church on the Street volunteers have launched a memory café after attending one of our dementia awareness sessions.
Plans for Lydney harbour building refurbishments given the go-ahead
Planning committee has given the thumbs up to plans to regenerate Lydney’s historic harbourside.
New beverage cup recycling scheme launched
Thanks to a new initiative plastic-lined paper cups can now be recycled in the Forest of Dean.
Council members represent the district at the Severn Growth Summit
Members of the District Council attended the sell-out Severn Growth Summit at Celtic Manor, Newport on Monday 22 January, at the invitation of the Secretary of State for Wales Rt Hon Alun Cairns MP.
District Councillor becomes a Community Dementia Link
Cllr Julia Gooch is urging local councillors to become dementia aware.
Organisations invited to the launch of a new Forest Economic Partnership
Local businesses, business clubs, schools, colleges and public sector organisations are invited to join a new Forest Economic Partnership.
Council welcomes comments on budget proposals
We're inviting residents to feedback on our 2018/19 budget proposals.
Forest Youth Activities Fund re-opens for applications
The District Council in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council is offering a second round of Forest Youth Activities Funding.
#LoveYourForest competition winners see designs come to life
Four Forest of Dean youngsters have seen their winning artwork recreated on two of Biffa’s street cleansing vehicles.
Street Warden Team scoops Gold for the fourth year running
Our Street Wardens have been awarded a Gold Footprint for the fourth year, as part of the RSPCA’s Community Animal Welfare Footprints scheme.
District Council supports business growth by making tendering easier
The FSB is collaborating with the District Council to raise awareness of how small businesses can improve their chances of winning procurement contracts.
New ground-breaking company will safeguard local services
In November the council launching a ground-breaking partnership which promises to deliver better local services for residents.
Advice for Cinderford Residents
Advice for Cinderford residents neighbouring the warehouse on Cinderford High Street following the fire.
Second round of community grant funding open for applications
Community groups have a further opportunity to apply for a one off grant of up to £2000.
Statement from District Council Leader and Cabinet regarding health service provision
Statement from the District Council Leader and Cabinet regarding health service provision in the Forest of Dean.
Cabinet approves affordable homes funding
Cabinet has approved a proposal to fund a development of ten new affordable homes in Newent.
