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Carmelo Garcia
@carmelogarcia.bsky.social
130 followers 120 following 140 posts
Local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire based at Gloucestershire Live

Got a story? 📩 carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com | #COYS
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carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Shire Hall backs single unitary as council-shake option amid concerns over local democracy

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Shire Hall backs single unitary as council-shake option amid democracy fears
County Councillors have voted for the 'lesser of two evils' option of merging with the district authorities rather than an East/West split
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 2:38 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Police commissioner's 'not stale, male and pale' hearing in secret

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Police commissioner's 'not stale, male and pale' hearing in secret
Chris Nelson's BBC radio interview comments sparked concerns over bias against white, male, mature applicants to the temporary chief constable role at Gloucestershire Constabulary
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 10:46 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
'Terrible' decision on pub leaves Cheltenham's 'last Regency inn' facing uncertain future '

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
'Terrible' decision for Cheltenham's 'last Regency inn'
'It's just a crying shame anybody could want to shut a pub like this down'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
November 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Huge decision made on 'critical' bid for 1,100 homes, new school and GP surgery on edge of Cheltenham

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/chelten...

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Decision on major plans for 1,100 homes, new school and GP surgery in Cheltenham
A key part of the West Cheltenham development has been considered by Borough planners
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
October 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Gloucestershire police officer suspended after appearing in BBC Panorama which exposed misogyny and racism

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/glouces... #LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire police officer suspended after appearing in BBC Panorama
The officer, who is being investigated for alleged misconduct, had initially been restricted to non-public facing roles but was suspended after the documentary was aired
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Forest of Dean bid for Unesco biosphere status gets backing of Gloucestershire County Council

#Gloucestershire #LDReporter
Forest of Dean bid for Unesco biosphere status gets boost
'The land between two rivers has a unique and very special culture, globally significant species and habitats and a very strong pride of place'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
September 12, 2025 at 9:24 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Protests over 'bloody ridiculous racism' as scapegoating of migrants is called out at council

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Scapegoting of migrants called out amid protests of 'ridiculous racism'
'I find this whole fiasco about weaponising migrants quite disgraceful and outrageous'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
September 11, 2025 at 12:12 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Chartist settlement of Snig's End could be put on Historic England's Heritage at risk register and villagers fear nearby Lowbands will also be ruined by thousands of new homes

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Historic A417 village with links to fight for voting rights 'completely ruined'
Chartist settlement of Snig's End could be put on Historic England's Heritage at risk register and villagers fear nearby Lowbands will also be ruined by thousands of new homes
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
August 19, 2025 at 10:44 AM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Hundreds of parish council vacancies go unfilled

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Hundreds of Gloucestershire parish council vacancies go unfilled
One parish councillor estimates there are 212 vacancies across 113 parish councils in the county.
www.bbc.com
August 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
A417 village says NO to new 3,000-home town which will 'spoil the Malvern Hills view' and 'cause road traffic chaos'

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
A417 village says NO to new 3,000 homes bid which will 'spoil the Malvern Hills'
'It's too many houses in one place. We don't need it'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
August 12, 2025 at 7:24 AM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Sadness as Julian Dunkerton's 131 Promenade 'precedent' used to justify another development in historic spa town centre

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Sadness as 131 Promenade 'precedent' used to justify more town centre plans
'We pointed out that any planning decision in favour of 131 applications would set a precedent that would be cited by others to justify all manner of structures in front of buildings'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
August 6, 2025 at 8:11 AM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Gloucestershire watchdog joins 130 in opposing Government plans to scrap health and social care champions

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Watchdog joins 130 in opposing plans to scrap health and social care champions
'People often tell us we are the first service to truly listen and the only one that follows up to ensure they receive the support needed'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
August 5, 2025 at 8:28 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Targeted ex-councillor warns of 'venom' in politics

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Ex-councillor warns of 'venom' in politics after attacks
Stephan Fifield says he has noticed an increase in
www.bbc.co.uk
August 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Ofsted deems county children's services as good after 'turbocharged' improvements

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Ofsted deems children's services as good after 'turbocharged' improvements
'I'm just so proud of our staff, our staff who've worked so hard, through blood, sweat, and tears over a really long period'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
August 4, 2025 at 12:15 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Cotswold village rules mean all kinds of restrictions on basic household works
Cotswold village rules mean all kinds of restrictions on basic works
The new measures which come into force in October are aimed at protecting the exceptional historic character of Snowshill
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
August 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Fears consultation on 13k homes and TWO new towns will be 'slipped past the public'

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Fears 13k homes and two new towns plan will be 'slipped past the public'
There are concerns over the timing of a consultation on a Gloucestershire council area's development blueprint
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
July 26, 2025 at 11:14 AM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Thames Water should be brought under public control, says council as infrastructure 'creaks at the seams but bills just keep rising'

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Thames Water should be brought under public control, say Shire Hall chiefs
'Nationalisation is the only credible option to end the unlawful dumping of raw sewage, stop rewarding shareholders for failure, reinvest all profits back into fixing leaks'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
July 20, 2025 at 9:54 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Shire Hall falls silent to pay tribute to 'much-loved' Labour stalwart Brian Oosthuysen

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Tributes paid to 'much-loved' Labour stalwart Brian Oosthuysen
'His was a life well lived, full of love to the end, and God knows, don't we all need more of that in the world today. May he rest in peace'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
July 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Cheltenham council accused of 'burying head in sand' over 10 year closure affecting footbridge linked to world famous composer

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Council accused of 'burying head in sand' over footbridge closed for 10 years
'Cheltenham Borough Council need to take responsibility for it'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
July 14, 2025 at 7:09 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
People 'resort to subterfuge' and 'borrow cars to use nearest tip in other county to avoid 34-mile round journey'

#Gloucestershire #LDReporter
People 'resort to subterfuge' and 'borrow cars to use tips in other county
There are calls for a cross-border agreement between Gloucestershire and Herefordshire on the use of tips
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
July 13, 2025 at 1:45 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
'Dumped' e-scooters spark trip hazard concerns in Cheltenham

#LDReporter #Cheltenham
'Dumped' e-scooters spark trip hazard concerns in Cheltenham
'They are an immense hazard for people who are mobility or visually impaired'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
July 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Gloucester council cagey over reasons for latest delays to £107m The Forum development as 'hotel won't open until 2026'

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/glouces...

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Council 'cagey' over reasons for latest delays to £107m The Forum development
The new Indigo hotel won't open until early next year and the opening of the multi-storey car park will be in the autumn
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
July 10, 2025 at 7:12 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Veteran who 'saw the bones in his hands' as nuclear bomb exploded calls for compensation for heroes

www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/glouces...

#BritishNuclearTestVeterans
Man who 'saw bones in his hands' as nuke exploded calls for heroes' compensation
'Bomb gone. Then there was one almighty flash. I could see the bones in my hands. I felt the heat on my back. We were then told to turn around and the whole sky was bright red'
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
June 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Firefighters protest outside Shire Hall as new Lib Dem chiefs duck call to axe shift pattern changes

#LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Firefighters protest as Lib Dem chiefs duck call to axe shift pattern changes
The dispute over shift pattern changes approved by the Conservatives should be resolved through third party arbritration, according to fire cabinet member Paul Hodgkinson
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
June 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
carmelogarcia.bsky.social
Greens gain seat from Labour in Stroud council by-election as Moya Shannon is elected #LDReporter #Gloucestershire
Greens gain seat from Labour in Stroud council by-election
The Greens, who lead the authority, now have 24 councillors at Ebley Mill
www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk
June 12, 2025 at 4:27 PM