This week's Tetbury news written by Kevin Painter.

AND it’s all change at the Tetbury council offices, as the new reception area has been completed.

Unfortunately due to current guidelines it is not open to members of the public however the phone and emails are obviously working.

And now when you ring the council offices you will be greeted by a new voice, Natalia, who is the new receptionist admin officer.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

(From left to right - very informal but welcoming new team Tara Natalia, Ann, Natilia and Georgina)

She is looking forward to meeting everyone as soon as possible and welcomes anyone to ring her to introduce themselves.

Natalia said: “Originally from Sussex, I moved to Tetbury two years ago with my fiancée who is a senior chef at a local hotel.

"During that time we have had a little boy and have really settled into family life in this fantastic town.

"Also from a hospitality background, I’m really looking forward to becoming the face of the town council and helping in any way I can.”

As part of the redevelopment of the town council offices and workforce Tetbury Mayor Ann Pearce is delighted to inform everyone that Tara Nibblet has now taking up the role of chief executive for Tetbury Town Council.

Ann said: “I would like to thank Tara for all her support and advice that she has given myself and indeed the town during these challenging and unprecedented times, as she has proven herself time and time again and always gives more than is needed.

"In fact that could be said of the whole team, officers, ground force, VIC staff and our cleaner who keeps everything looking so fine.’’

GREAT news for the summer. The new amazing play area by the Tetbury Good Shed Art Centre should be open from Saturday, even though the official opening ceremony with the mayor is planned for 11am on August 21.

It was felt that the children and families should be able to use this facility to enjoy the summer.

So please go down and enjoy this fantastic area.

Thanks to the determination and hard work of Will Cook and Graham Cleaver.

However please observe whatever the current government guidelines in relation to social distancing are.

And whilst you’re down there you may wish to partake of the scrumptious Summer offerings of the Whistlestop Café.

DUE to the sad news that Rodney Smith has resigned from the town council there is now a vacancy in the office of councillor for Tetbury Town Council.

The vacancy will be filled by election if a request from 10 local government electors for the town is received within 14 days of the date of this notice.

The request must be received by August 20.

Requests should include each electors’ name and address and should be sent to the Returning Officer at Jan Britton, Returning Officer, Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX.

You can also email elections@cotswold.gov.uk.

If a request by 10 electors are not received by the date given, the town council may fill the vacancy by co-option.

If an election is called, the Coronavirus Act 2020 and The Local Government and Police and Crime Commissioner Regulations 2020 regulations state that the by election will not take place, and the vacancy will be held open.

The 2020 regulations provide for the by election to take place on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

However, this date may be brought forward or deferred by the Government depending upon the circumstances.

Any election that is called will be duly publicised as required by law.

Georgina Osman of Tetbury Town Council would like to say thank you to Mr & Mrs Cochrane, one of our unsung heroes.

Georgina said: "You may recognise them as nearly every day they can be seen litter picking around the town on their daily walk.

"It was great to meet them and have a chance to thank them for their contribution to keeping our beautiful town tidy.’’

Georgina added if you know someone you’d like to nominate or even just to say thank you too please email ctdmanager@tetbury.gov.uk.

Also if you would like to get more involved with litter picking, Tetbury Town Council has 10 sets of litter picking equipment that are available to the community to use throughout the year, please get in touch if you would like to arrange to borrow them.

FOLLOWING on from last weeks article which was the press release/statement from Tetbury Town Council, the Chair of Trustees at the Dolphins Recreation Centre wrote to the editor with a few concerns over the content.

As this was a press release from the town council obviously we have no control over the content.

And it was suggested that he contacts the source.

He also felt that as I am a town councillor there may be a conflict-of-interest.

Rest assured in all the years I have been writing here, this is the first time this has ever been raised.

My responsibility is simple, to portray Tetbury as positively as possible and this is done professionally adhering to the principles of journalism which are objective, accurate, trustworthy, reliable. And of course unbiased.

Of course this is why the printed form of news is still one of the most trusted, as being in black-and-white makes one accountable.

Of course everyone’s news and submissions are treated equally and I can only write what I am told/informed.

So thank you all, I will continue to promote and share everything our wonderful town has to offer.

This gives me a chance to say thank you to the many people who show support. And indeed make the Tetbury page.