This week in Gloucestershire:

Adult Social Care Overhaul: Council Takes Control Amidst Requires Improvement Rating

Gloucestershire County Council's cabinet has approved a significant shift in adult social care, taking over services currently delivered by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust starting September 2026. This decision follows a requires improvement rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), highlighting the urgent need for change. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

• Services in Transition: The council will now directly provide occupational therapy, reablement assessment, mental health social work, and supported accommodation services.
• Focus on Prevention: Councillor Dr Kate Usmar, Cabinet Member for Adults' Support & Independence, stated that the new model aims to prioritize prevention and empower individuals, ultimately reducing long-term care needs.
• CQC Concerns: The CQC's report identified critical areas needing improvement, including assessments, care planning, financial assessments, support for unpaid carers, market provision and care availability, use of data for monitoring and insight, accessibility and inclusion, and workforce and integration.
• Potential Intervention: The report pack stated that if sustained problems in adult social care are not addressed, local authorities may face intervention under the Health and Care Act 2022.

This move signifies a major commitment by the council to address the shortcomings in adult social care and ensure vulnerable residents receive the support they need.

Tackling Domestic Abuse: Strategy Approved Amidst Rising Crime

The cabinet has adopted the Gloucestershire Tackling Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-28, acknowledging a concerning 32% increase in domestic abuse crimes reported to the constabulary. This strategy aims to fulfill the council's obligations under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which mandates support for victims and their children. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

• Strategy Rollout: Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities & Fire, stated that the strategy will be presented to district councils, partners, and stakeholders for approval, with an official launch planned for the autumn.
• Framework for Support: The strategy outlines a multi-faceted approach, including prevention, early intervention, multi-agency collaboration, workforce development, and high-quality service provision.
• Rising Crime Rates: The increase in reported domestic abuse cases underscores the urgency of implementing effective measures to protect victims and address the root causes of abuse.

The success of this strategy hinges on collaborative efforts across various agencies and a commitment to providing comprehensive support to those affected by domestic abuse.

Refugee Support Services: New Framework Aims for Comprehensive Assistance

Gloucestershire County Council is establishing a new Framework Agreement for support services for refugees and asylum seekers, with a potential spend of up to £12 million over four years. This framework will enable the council and its partners to commission vital services such as housing advice, language support, and mental health services. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

• Addressing Growing Needs: The UK has experienced a rise in refugees in recent years, necessitating robust support systems to help them integrate into the community.
• Flexible Funding: The Framework Agreement provides flexibility to accommodate future grant funding opportunities.
• Collaborative Approach: The framework will allow the council and other statutory partners, such as district councils, to commission services.

This initiative demonstrates the council's commitment to providing comprehensive support to refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring they have access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives.

Other Matters

• Waste Management Funding: The cabinet approved an additional £250,000 in annual revenue funding to address rising costs in waste bulking and haulage contracts for the Forest of Dean and Cotswold districts. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Highway Maintenance: The cabinet approved plans to procure a contract for structural maintenance works, including carriageway resurfacing, for up to eight years, with an estimated value of £192 million. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• School Expansion: The cabinet approved changes to the Children & Families Capital Programme to create additional school places at Severnbanks Primary School and Henley Bank High School. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Suicide Bereavement Support: The cabinet approved plans to procure a contract for a suicide bereavement support service for residents of Gloucestershire. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Honeybourne Cycle Link Scheme: The cabinet agreed to adopt the role of scheme promoter for the Honeybourne Cycle Link Scheme, taking over from Great Western Railway (GWR). Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Grounds Maintenance Services: The cabinet approved the establishment of a Grounds Maintenance Framework Agreement and the subsequent awarding of call-off contracts under it. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Gloucestershire Health & Wellbeing Board on July 29th will discuss the Better Care Fund Plan and receive an update on the Integrated Care Board transition. See details.
• The Gloucestershire Health and Wellbeing Partnership on July 29th will discuss the work of the Gloucestershire Gateway Partnership and receive an update on the 'smoking' exemplar theme. See details.
• The Pension Board on July 30th will review the fund's governance, operations, funding and investments. See details.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on July 31st will discuss the council's performance, risk management, financial monitoring, and strategic planning. See details.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Domestic Abuse Strategy Faces Scrutiny Amidst Rising Crime Rates

Gloucestershire County Council's Cabinet is set to review and potentially adopt the Gloucestershire Tackling Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-28, but this comes as recorded domestic abuse crimes in the county have increased by 32% between 2021/22 and 2022/23, remaining at similar levels through 2023/24. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

• The Strategy: The strategy outlines five key priorities: prevention and early intervention, multi-agency collaboration, workforce development, high-quality service provision, and breaking the cycle of perpetrator behavior.
• The Challenge: The rise in reported domestic abuse cases raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures and the resources allocated to combat this issue.
• Statutory Duty: The strategy aims to fulfill the council's obligations under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, which mandates needs assessments, strategy development, and support for victims and their children in safe accommodations.

Adoption of this strategy is crucial, but its success will depend on addressing the underlying factors contributing to the increase in domestic abuse and ensuring adequate resources are available for prevention and support services.

Schools Face Potential Expansion Amidst Housing Development Boom

Gloucestershire County Council's Cabinet is considering a proposal to expand Severnbanks Primary School and Henley Bank High School to accommodate increased demand due to new housing developments. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

• The Plan: The proposal involves adding £3.168 million in Section 106 Developer Contributions and transferring £1.986 million in unallocated Basic Need Grant Funding to Severnbanks Primary School, and adding £2.682 million in Section 106 Developer Contributions to Henley Bank High School.
• The Need: Analysis indicates that additional primary school places will be needed in the Lydney area from September 2028 to meet the rising demand from new housing.
• Section 106 Contributions: Section 106 contributions are financial contributions made by developers to mitigate the impact of their developments on local infrastructure and services.

This decision highlights the ongoing pressure on school infrastructure due to housing growth and the importance of securing developer contributions to fund necessary expansions.

Waste Management Costs Soar, Council Seeks Budget Boost

Gloucestershire County Council's Cabinet is being asked to approve an additional £250,000 in annual revenue funding to address rising costs in residual waste bulking and haulage contracts for the Forest of Dean and Cotswold districts. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

• The Problem: The prices received for the Forest of Dean and Cotswold waste management contracts exceeded the council's available budget.
• The Solution: The Cabinet is being asked to allocate an additional £250,000 annually to the waste transfer budgets from 2026/27.
• Contract Expiry: The current contracts with Enovert South Ltd are set to expire on January 31, 2026.

This decision underscores the increasing financial pressures on waste management services and the need for sustainable and cost-effective solutions.

Other Matters

• Refugee Support Services: The Cabinet is considering tendering support services for refugees and asylum seekers, with a framework agreement estimated at £12 million over nine years. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Adult Social Care: The Cabinet is considering bringing a range of adult social care services currently delivered by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust back in-house, at a cost of approximately £24.9 million per year. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Highway Maintenance: The Cabinet is considering procuring a contract for structural maintenance works, including carriageway resurfacing, for up to eight years, with an estimated value of £192 million. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Suicide Bereavement Support: The Cabinet is considering procuring a suicide bereavement support service for residents of Gloucestershire, with a seven-year contract valued at £700,000. Read the full Cabinet agenda.
• Youth Justice Plan: The Cabinet will consider Gloucestershire's Youth Justice Plan 2025/28, which outlines the county's approach to youth justice services. Read the full Cabinet agenda.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee on July 22nd will receive updates on adult social care and public health, including performance reports and service updates. See details.
• Cabinet on July 23rd will discuss support services for refugees and asylum seekers, domestic abuse, adult social care, waste management, and highway maintenance. See details.
• The Audit and Governance Committee on July 24th will discuss annual reports on treasury management, risk management, counter fraud and whistleblowing, as well as internal audit plans and strategies. See details.
• The Gloucestershire Health & Wellbeing Board on July 29th. See details.
• The Pension Board on July 30th. See details.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on July 31st. See details.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Planning Overhaul: Streamlining Decisions or Silencing Voices?

Gloucestershire Council is poised to adopt a revised Scheme of Delegation (SoD) for planning applications, aiming to speed up the process and align with national reforms proposed in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. But critics fear the changes could reduce transparency and limit community input. Read the full story.

• What's changing: The new scheme expands the powers of planning officers to approve applications, reserving Planning Committee scrutiny for cases with unresolved statutory consultee objections or significant public interest.
• The concern: Critics worry that the definition of significant public interest is too vague, potentially allowing controversial projects to be approved without proper public debate.
• Councillor referral requests: A new Planning Committee Delegation Review Panel will assess borderline cases and councillor referral requests. This panel will include the Chair of Planning Committee, group spokespersons of the political parties represented on the Planning Committee, and the Assistant Director of Planning and Economic Development.
• National Context: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill seeks to standardize delegation and optimize planning committee structures nationwide, potentially limiting committee sizes to just 11 members and requiring mandatory member training.

The council argues the changes will create a more efficient and transparent system, aligning with national best practices. However, some residents and councillors are concerned that the reforms could silence community voices and lead to less democratic planning decisions.

School Transport Appeals Heard Behind Closed Doors

The Appeals Board convened this week to hear appeals related to charges for home to school transport, but the public and press were excluded from the discussion, citing confidentiality. View the meeting details.

• The issue: The Appeals Board considered one case in a closed session, citing Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of the press and public from meetings when confidential or exempt information is being discussed.
• Why it matters: Home to school transport is a critical service for many families, especially those with children with special educational needs or those living in rural areas. Charges for this service can create a significant financial burden, and the appeals process is a vital avenue for families to challenge these costs.
• Transparency concerns: Excluding the public from these discussions raises concerns about transparency and accountability. Residents have a right to know how decisions are being made that affect their access to essential services.

Strategic Planning in Flux Amidst Government Reforms

The City Region Board met to discuss the Local Growth Plan, countywide strategic plan developments, and the Business Rates Pool and Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF). A key focus was the impact of the emerging Planning and Infrastructure Bill on spatial planning in Gloucestershire. More information here.

• Legislative changes: The Planning and Infrastructure Bill aims to streamline the planning process, with a focus on speeding up the delivery of new homes and infrastructure.
• Spatial Development Strategies: The Bill introduces Spatial Development Strategies (SDS), placing a duty on upper-tier county councils and unitary authorities to prepare an SDS for their area.
• Collaborative working: The City Region Board reinforced their commitment to collaborative working across Gloucestershire, including strategic planning on a countywide basis, building officer capacity, and working together on a shared evidence base.
• Climate change: A multi-authority workshop was held to address the relationship between land-use planning and climate change, resulting in an action plan structured around policy, evidence, and skills and training.

Other Matters

• Climate Leadership Gloucestershire: The Environment Scrutiny Committee received an introduction to the work of Climate Leadership Gloucestershire (CLG), a partnership working to deliver the Greener Gloucestershire Action Plan. See details.
• Police and Crime Plan: The Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel reviewed the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) new Police and Crime Prevention Plan 2025-2029, which outlines six priorities, including creating safer communities and tackling violence against women and girls. See details.
• Planning Enforcement: The Planning Committee noted a report on planning monitoring and enforcement, which revealed a rising number of open investigations due to an increase in breaches of planning conditions. View the agenda.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee on July 15th will receive updates on the performance of the Gloucestershire Integrated Care System. View the agenda.
• County Council on July 16th will discuss motions on violence against women and girls, the future of Thames Water, and knife crime. See details.
• County Council on July 16th will formally thank retiring councillors for their service, and is scheduled to appoint a number of former councillors as Honorary Aldermen. See details.
• The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee on July 17th will discuss special guardianship and kinship arrangements, and receive an introduction to Children's Services and the Ambitions Plan. See details.
• The Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee on July 18th will discuss the roles and responsibilities of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) and the Community Safety Directorate. See details.
• The Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee on July 22nd. See details.
• Cabinet on July 23rd. See details.
• Audit and Governance Committee on July 24th. See details.
• Gloucestershire Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee on July 25th. See details.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Pension Fund Performance Under Scrutiny Amidst National Reforms

The Gloucestershire Pension Committee met on Wednesday, July 2nd, to discuss the fund's governance, investment performance, and audit plan, amidst significant proposed national reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). View the meeting details.

Funding Position Soars, But Investment Lags

The committee heard that the Gloucestershire Pension Fund's funding level has increased dramatically from 110% to 169% between March 2022 and March 2025, with assets rising from £3.11 billion to £3.61 billion. However, investment performance has underperformed the strategic benchmark by 1.4% over the past year, with a return of 4.4%.

• What it means: While the fund's overall financial health has improved, the underperformance raises questions about investment strategies and whether they are maximizing returns for pensioners.
• Strategic Asset Allocation: A new strategic asset allocation, approved in February, has been put on hold due to the government's Fit for the Future reforms. This could delay potential improvements to investment performance.

National Pension Reforms Loom

The meeting also addressed the LGPS Fit for the Future consultation, which proposes major changes to the scheme, including mandatory asset pooling and governance enhancements.

• Potential Impact: These reforms could lead to greater cost efficiency and improved financial governance, but also potential loss of local control over investment decisions.
• Fairness and Accessibility: The LGPS Access and Fairness Consultation (2025) aims to address inequalities in pension access, survivor benefits, and the gender pension gap. This could lead to more equitable outcomes for vulnerable groups.

Audit Plan and Financial Statements

The committee reviewed the external audit plan for 2024-25, to be undertaken by KPMG, and the draft year-end financial statements.

• Increased Expenses: Management expenses have increased by £2.7 million (9.10%) due to higher investments in private equity and infrastructure, which have higher fee structures.
• Investment Income Up: Investment income has increased by £4.45 million (16.6%) due to private market pooled investment vehicles and one-off payments from historic class actions.

Planning Committee Visits Sites

The Planning Committee Site Visits took place on Thursday, July 3rd. View the meeting details. No video was provided.

Audit and Governance Committee Met

The Audit and Governance Committee met on Friday, July 4th. View the meeting details. No video was provided.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Environment Scrutiny Committee on July 8th will discuss climate leadership in Gloucestershire and receive an update from the Executive Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure. See details.
• The Appeals Board on July 8th will consider appeals related to charges for assistance with home to school transport. View the agenda.
• The City Region Board on July 9th will discuss the local growth plan, countywide strategic plan developments, and the business rates pool and strategic economic development fund. More information.
• The Planning Committee on July 10th will discuss a revised scheme of delegation for planning applications, updates on the government's Planning and Infrastructure Bill, and a report on planning monitoring and enforcement. View the agenda.
• The Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel on July 11th. See details.
• Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee on July 15th. View the agenda.
• County Council on July 16th. See details.
• County Council on July 16th. See details.
• Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee on July 17th. See details.
• Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee on July 18th. See details.