16th May 2007

Cllr John Marjoram returned to the helm at Stroud Town Council at the annual general meeting on Monday and outlined his personal green agenda for the next four years. John Marjoram has been dubbed the "listening mayor" after his pledge to be available to the public at least one hour a week. Below he sets out a green vision for the future - starting with making the town a "no plastic bag zone."

John Marjoram said: "My objective is to look at climate change. I would maintain that every community in the world has got to start add-ressing this."His seven-point personal plan included the key proposal to work towards making Stroud a "no plastic bag zone"."With the help of the business community I want to make Stroud a no plastic bag zone. We have got to take a stand on this. People historically always carried a bag over their shoulder. We will talk to businesses on this."

Coun Marjoram also said he would become the "listening mayor". Every Thursday, starting in June, he will sit on the bench in Kendrick Street from 11.30am to 12.30pm to listen to the concerns of the public."

Other proposals include the introduction of core delivery times in the High Street, so that it becomes fully pedestrianised, and introducing facilities for cardboard recycling. Fully supporting the “Transition Stroud” movement in cutting Co2 emissions, introducing a Mayors reception (latter in the year) for “Movers, Shakers and Initiators” and Circular billboards in the Town Centre.

Cllr Marjoram presides over a Green party majority on the STC after the Green's increased representation by two seats to take 11 of the 18 town council seats at the May 3 election. He was elected unopposed as Mayor, taking over from fellow Green councillor, Kevin Cranston. 

John Marjoram said: "This is not a Blair/Brown situation but genuine partnership between myself and Kevin."

Stroud Town Council has eighteen members, eleven of whom are Greens, five Independents, one Lib Dem and one Tory. John Marjoram was previously the town's mayor from 1997 to 2004.