The Strategy and Resources Committee of Stroud Council was scheduled to discuss a range of significant financial and development matters. Key topics included the council's budget strategy and draft Medium Term Financial Plan, proposals for compulsory purchase powers to acquire land for new homes in Dursley, and a community asset transfer for The Old Town Hall in Stroud. The committee was also set to consider support for Woodchester Mansion and Kingshill House, alongside funding opportunities for energy efficiency and housing schemes.

Budget Strategy and Draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

The committee was scheduled to review an updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and the strategy that will guide the setting of the budget for the 2027/28 financial year. This report, authored by Lucy Clothier, Strategic Head of Finance, outlined the framework for creating the draft budget and informed members of known changes in the MTFP, as well as areas of uncertainty. The strategy covers the revenue position of both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Key considerations included the Local Government Finance Settlement, Council Tax income projections, business rates, inflation assumptions, and the management of earmarked reserves. The report also addressed the implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and presented the draft MTFP, highlighting a projected budget gap that would require significant savings to be identified. The Housing Revenue Account faced pressures from regulatory changes and capital maintenance costs, with rent increases subject to national guidance. The committee was asked to approve the budget strategy and draft MTFP.

Authorisation to use Compulsory Purchase Powers for New Homes Scheme at May Lane/Prospect Place, Dursley

This item concerned the potential use of Compulsory Purchase Powers to acquire land for a new homes scheme in Dursley. The report, authored by Alison Fisk, Head of Property Services, detailed the proposal to acquire land to deliver up to 17 new affordable houses. This would involve widening an existing service road, altering residential parking, and modifying rear HGV delivery parking for an adjacent retail unit. The committee was asked to consider the compelling case in the public interest for this compulsory acquisition, pursuant to Section 17 of the Housing Act 1985. The report outlined the land acquisition process, the legal basis for compulsory purchase, and the associated documents, including an Order Map and Statement of Reasons. The scheme aimed to address the district's need for affordable housing, evidenced by a significant number of households on the Homeseeker Plus register.

The Old Town Hall, Stroud: Proposed Community Asset Transfer

A proposal from Stroud Valleys Artspace (SVA) and Stroud Textiles Trust (STT) for the transfer of The Old Town Hall, Stroud, was scheduled for discussion. The report, authored by Alison Fisk, Head of Property Services, presented a plan for SVA to take a long leasehold interest in the building for a nominal sum to develop a 'Centre for Textile Arts'. The proposal included a sub-lease to STT for part of the ground floor, the continuing availability of a meeting room for public use, and the continuation of existing leases for three stores to market traders. The council would retain use of one store for market equipment. A key element of the proposal involved the council funding and undertaking works to replace the gas heating system with an electric one, taking the building off-gas, with an estimated cost of £70,000. The committee was asked to delegate authority to the Head of Property Services to agree Heads of Terms for the transfer, subject to specific conditions.

Woodchester Mansion

The committee was asked to consider how the council could support the Woodchester Mansion Trust (WMT) in finding a workable solution to fund the next stage of project development, aiming to secure a sustainable future for Woodchester Mansion and Park. The report, authored by Jill Fallows, Property Manager, provided an update on the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) Resilience Project and highlighted funding challenges facing WMT after existing grant funding ends in December 2026. It examined the potential need for council support to bridge an 18-month funding gap and considered future match funding requirements for a major NLHF capital bid. The report also addressed potential implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and assessed risks. The committee was asked to consider providing up to £245,000 from the Council Plan Earmarked Reserve to support project costs for a Round 1 NLHF funding application.

Kingshill House

This item concerned an urgent funding request from Kingshill House Limited and the future of Kingshill House. The report, authored by Jill Fallows, Property Manager, and Alison Fisk, Head of Property Services, detailed the history of the Grade II* Listed Georgian mansion, its lease to Kingshill House Limited (The Trust), and the council's ongoing support. It highlighted that the Trust was running at a deficit and its auditors had confirmed it was 'not a going concern'. The report outlined the Trust's request for £25,000 in urgent additional grant funding due to marketing costs, loss of income from repairs to the Littleford Room, and a vacant cottage. Officers advised that this request could not be lawfully granted under the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and did not comply with the council's fiduciary duties. The committee was asked to note that if Kingshill House Limited ceases operations, a further report would be brought back to consider next steps, likely involving disposal of the property on the open market.

Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 Additional Solar Supplementary Funding

An opportunity for additional grant funding through the Social Housing Fund Wave 3 project was presented, allowing Stroud District Council to increase the number of homes delivered and improve their energy performance to EPC C. The report, authored by Tara Skidmore, Head of Assets & Investment (Council Housing), detailed an application for an additional £1.546 million in grant funding, of which SDC's proportion was £549,500. This funding, to be spent in the 2026/27 financial year, would enable solar PV and battery installations in an additional 65 properties. The committee was asked to recommend to Council that an additional £550,000 be committed to the 2026/27 HRA capital programme for this grant funding.

Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 4

A further opportunity for LAHF Round 4 funding was presented, which would deliver additional housing for those fleeing conflict and those in need of temporary accommodation. The report, authored by Lucy Clothier, Strategic Head of Finance, noted that Stroud District Council had successfully delivered 24 properties in the first three rounds. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had increased the initial allocation of grant funding, enabling the acquisition of 16 properties: eight for resettlement households from the Afghan Resettlement Programme (ARP) and eight for temporary accommodation. The committee was asked to recommend to Council that an additional £3.9 million be added to the 2026/27 HRA capital programme for this scheme.

Acquisition of Housing Capital Budget

This item provided an update on acquisitions agreed to date and proposed a further increase to the budget. The report, authored by Lucy Clothier, Strategic Head of Finance, and Alison Fisk, Head of Property Services, noted that the council had successfully acquired 44 new affordable homes through S106 and additionality routes. An offer had been accepted for a further twelve S106 homes. The current budget of £15 million was largely committed, with £9.2 million remaining. An additional £10 million was requested to enable the council to continue its acquisitions programme and maximise opportunities. The committee was asked to recommend that Council agrees an additional £10 million be included in the Council's Capital Programme for the HRA's 'Acquisition of Housing' capital budget for 2026/27.

Budget Monitoring Report Quarter 1 2026/27

The committee was presented with the Q1 forecast outturn position against the General Fund, Housing Revenue budgets, and Capital programme for 2026/27. The report, authored by Lucy Clothier, Strategic Head of Finance, and Adele Rudkin, Accountant, indicated a projected net revenue overspend of £367,000 for the General Fund and a forecasted underspend of (£174,000) for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The capital programme showed a forecast spend of £62.96 million against a total budget of £68.571 million. The report also detailed potential savings identified across various service areas and noted that no decisions had been made to stop or reduce spend at this stage, with workshops planned to discuss priorities and savings options.

Member / Officer Reports

Under this item, updates were scheduled to be received on:

• Performance Management Q1: A report detailing performance against Council Plan actions and indicators.
• Leadership Gloucestershire Update: An update on activities and discussions from Leadership Gloucestershire.
• City Region Board: An update on matters discussed by the Gloucestershire City Region Board.
• Regeneration and Investment Board: An update on the activities of the Regeneration and Investment Board.

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its work programme for the upcoming period. This would outline the topics and reports planned for future meetings.