Cllr Maisey was elected to Stroud District Council last year for the Severn ward, which includes the Parishes of Arlingham, Eastington, Frampton on Severn, Fretherne-with-Saul, Great Oldbury and Whitminster.

He served on the Environment and Development Control committees.

Cllr Maisey was the agent for Simon Opher MP’s successful parliamentary campaign last year.

Cllr Catherine Braun, leader of the council, said: “I was shocked and saddened to learn of Richard’s passing. I really enjoyed working with Richard and his good humour, commitment to local residents and cross-party engagement on environmental and many other issues always shone through.

“He will be sadly missed at Stroud District Council, and I’d like to extend my sympathy to his family and fellow Labour councillors, as well as to his colleagues and friends in the communities of the Severn Ward.”

Cllr Adrian Oldman, coordinator of Stroud District Green Party, said: “I would wholeheartedly echo Catherine’s sentiments about Richard. He was a thoroughly committed champion of the environment, a pragmatist, and an extremely hard working Labour activist. I’d like to send my sincere condolences to Richard’s family, friends and his Labour Party colleagues.”

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Gloucestershire Greens are delighted to have it confirmed that the Gloucestershire County Council elections are to go ahead, despite the council’s Conservative leader trying to have them cancelled.

Adrian Oldman, coordinator of Stroud District Green Party, said: “Around the country, people are being denied a vote at local elections in May because the Labour government wants to do away with many local councils and replace them with more unaccountable bodies.

“Cllr Stephen Davies, Conservative leader of Gloucestershire County Council, jumped on this move and tried to have these elections cancelled, because the county’s Conservatives were scared to face the voters with their painfully slim control of the council. Thankfully his request was turned down by the government yesterday, but the local Conservatives have forfeited their right to represent the county as we face an uncertain future for local decision-making.

“Now the government has confirmed that elections are being held here, let’s make sure the government hears from local people.”

Beki Hoyland, coordinator of the Forest of Dean Green Party, said: “The big parties in Westminster claim they want to devolve more power to local councils, but Labour’s latest plans will see this year’s election cancelled in eight counties. Our fragile democracy can’t afford to ignore the people’s right to vote.”

There are already five Green county councillors in Gloucestershire and the party believes it can increase that number significantly in May.

Adrian Oldman added: “We will have candidates standing so that people’s views on what happens in the place they live are heard in the council chamber.”

National Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay MP said: “It’s hard to think of anything more anti-democratic than cancelling elections ahead of a significant change in local democracy. It’s straight out of an authoritarian playbook. How can politicians claim an electoral mandate for major local government changes if those most impacted see their elections cancelled? 

“The Green Party is urging the government to save our democracy, allow these long-planned elections to take place and get around the table to discuss how to make devolution work for people in local areas across the country.

“We want decisions made closest to where they have the greatest impact with significant devolution of powers and funding from Westminster. Without that, people will grow ever more cynical about politics.”

The government’s plans are outlined here:
16 Dec 2024 Local government reorganisation: letter to two-tier areas – GOV.UK
5 Feb 2025 Devolution revolution: six areas to elect Mayors for first time – GOV.UK

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Adrian Oldman was co-opted at the full Town Council meeting (oddly enough, held on September 13th) to fill a vacancy in the Farmhill & Paganhill Ward that had been created by the resignation of an independent councillor.

This brings the Town Council Green group to 13 strong. There were already 13 Greens on the District Council following gains in May’s elections.

“Now we on the Town Council will be joining our District colleagues in being able to use the phrase #Green 13,” said the Town Council Green group leader and Mayor, Cllr Kevin Cranston. “This must be quite unusual; I don’t know of anywhere else that can claim such a catchy hashtag!”

Combined, there are now 24 Green councillors in Stroud (two councillors sit on both Town and District). “Stroud isn’t known as the People’s Republic for nothing,” said Cllr Cranston. “Obviously, the number 13 is lucky for some!”

Cllr Adrian Oldman (pictured, left, with Cllr Cranston) said: “I’m delighted to be the 13th Green councillor on the Town Council. I’ve recently taken up playing Boules, where 13 is a winning score. I may not be brilliant at that; but at least I’m part of a great team in Stroud Greens!”

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