In this week's column, Paul Bettison OBE, the leader of Bracknell Forest Council, celebrates the beginning of LGBTQ+ History Month, and also welcomes news that the Local Plan is moving ahead (albeit with some modifications). Cllr Bettison writes:

Today (Wednesday, February 1) marks the start of LGBTQ+ History Month. The theme for this year is ‘Behind the Lens’, aiming to celebrate LGBTQ+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens.

Whilst aiming to celebrate the immense achievements of those creative professionals, it also encourages us all to listen to their stories directly, particularly when their own voice is often marginalised. Bracknell Forest will be putting that contribution front and centre this February. If you would like to find out more, please visit the LGBT+ History Month website.

Looking further ahead, I am pleased to say that the Bracknell Forest local plan, which sets out where new homes, businesses and facilities could be located in the next 15 years, moved a step forward closer to adoption last week.

READ MORE: 2000 home garden village scrapped after inspectors brand local plan 'legal but unsound'

The Government planning inspectors' feedback on the draft local plan has now been published and you can find it on the council’s website.

Inspectors positively stated the plan is legally compliant and with some straightforward modifications it will set out a sound approach to development across the borough up to 2037. This is not a unique situation – nearly all councils are asked to make modifications by planning inspectors prior to adoption.

The council is now working through the next steps in order to get the right plan adopted for the borough as quickly as possible. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to comment on the plan so far. Please check the council’s website and social media channels for future opportunities to have your say.

For now, I wish you all a positive week ahead.