Reverting strict mode for now, to allow next release #910
Description
The strict mode commits are being reverted until the feature can be completed at a later date.
This is to allow other unrelated commits to be released.
The strict mode reverts in #911 will be merged after a 1 week comment window, if there are no objections.
After the merge, any remaining approved PRs will be merged
Finally, any requested changes that have been approved but not implemented, will be completed.
The next release should be completed before the end of November 2024