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.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Council to Review Rules on Public Questions and Motions

The Constitution Committee met on Thursday, June 26th, to discuss potential changes to council procedures and committee structures, focusing on how the public and councillors can engage with local government. The meeting covered a review of the agenda for ordinary council meetings, arrangements for questions at meetings, rules for council motions, and the membership of the Environment Scrutiny Committee. View the meeting details.

Have Your Say: Changes to Public Questioning?

The committee discussed potential changes to the provisions for public and member questions at meetings. The Council Questions - discussion paper highlights the importance of these questions for accountability and transparency.

The committee considered:

• Limiting Questions: Whether to restrict the number of questions from individuals or organizations, and the time allowed for supplementary questions. This could impact the ability of residents and councillors to scrutinize council decisions.
• Time Limits: Whether to retain, reduce, or extend overall time limits for questions. Shorter time limits could stifle in-depth questioning.
• Advance Submission: Whether to require questions in writing beforehand, potentially with written answers provided prior to the meeting. This could streamline meetings but might reduce spontaneity and follow-up.
• Question Types: Whether to differentiate between questions about agenda items and more general inquiries.

Currently, Gloucestershire County Council does not limit the number of questions, but some councils elsewhere do. Changes could affect how residents and councillors hold the council accountable.

Streamlining Debate: Review of Council Motion Rules

The committee also reviewed the rules concerning council motions, as detailed in the Council Motions - discussion paper. The rules for council motions are in sections 10, 11, and 12 of the council's Rules of Procedure.

Key discussion points included:

• Order of Motions: Currently, motions are added to the agenda in the order they are submitted, potentially leading to strategic submissions.
• Publication of Motions: While the council has treated draft motions as confidential, Procedural Standing Order 10.1 states that The Chief Executive will maintain a record of all motions submitted and the public may inspect that record except in respect of motions considered in the absence of the press and public.
• Time Limits: The constitution imposes a two-hour time limit for debating motions, which cannot be suspended.
• Amendments: Procedural Standing Order 12.5 defines the parameters within which amendments to motions can be proposed, stating, No amendment shall be allowed which is contrary to the motion before the Council or has the effect of introducing a new proposal.

Environment Scrutiny Committee Membership

The committee discussed reverting the membership of the Environment Scrutiny Committee to nine members, according to the Environment Committee.pdf. The membership was increased to 11 in May 2023 to ensure representation from all four political groups. The Environment Committee.pdf stated that with the current political balance, political balance can be achieved with nine members.

Standard Agenda for Council Meetings

The committee reviewed the standard agenda for ordinary meetings of the County Council, as outlined in the council's constitution, according to the Agenda for Ordinary Meetings of Council.pdf.

Procedural Standing Order 2.1 sets out the agenda for ordinary meetings of the County Council.

Other Business

• The committee was scheduled to elect a chair and vice-chair for the 2025/26 civic year.
• The committee was scheduled to approve the minutes from the meeting held on 20 January 2025.
• The committee was scheduled to discuss updates on Monitoring Officer changes, including updates to cabinet portfolios from May and June 2025. According to the MO Decision report - MO change to the constitution - Cabinet Portfolios - May 2025.pdf and MO Decision report - MO change to the constitution - Cabinet Portfolios - June 2025 2.pdf, Councillor Lisa Spivey, Leader of the Council, had appointed nine members to her cabinet and defined each of their portfolios.

Upcoming Meetings

• Pension Committee on July 2nd will discuss governance, investment performance, and the external audit plan for the Gloucestershire Pension Fund. See details.
• Planning Committee Site Visits on July 3rd. More information.
• Appeals Board on July 8th will consider appeals related to charges for assistance with home to school transport. View the agenda.
• Environment Scrutiny Committee on July 8th. See details.
• City Region Board on July 9th. More information.
• Planning Committee on July 10th. View the agenda.
• Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel on July 11th. See details.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Schools Face Funding Crisis as Deficit Balloons

Gloucestershire's schools are facing a severe funding shortfall, with the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit projected to spiral to £271 million by 2030. The Gloucestershire Schools Forum met on June 19th to discuss the crisis, driven by a surge in demand for Education Health and Care Plans (EHCP) and alternative provision¹.

• The number of EHCPs grew by 538 in 2024, and the rate has accelerated in 2025, with 422 new plans issued in the first half of the year.
• The High Needs budget overspent by £31.1 million in 2024/25, leading to an £80.5 million cumulative deficit.
• Without intervention, the deficit could reach £125.1 million by the end of 2025/26.

The forum considered drastic options, including cutting targeted SEND funding for schools and freezing EHCP funding increases. These measures could have a direct impact on vulnerable students and the support they receive. The forum noted that these options needed to be explored alongside wider national reforms focused on strengthening mainstream inclusion.

See the full discussion.

Fire Service Gets Green Light for New Vehicles

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) is set to receive a major upgrade with the procurement of new fire engines and officer response vehicles. The Gloucestershire County Council cabinet approved the purchases at their meeting on June 18th, with a focus on greener, more efficient vehicles.

• Up to 15 new fire engine pumping appliances will be procured over the next four years, including specialized vehicles for restricted access areas.
• 20 new fire officer response vehicles will also be purchased, replacing aging vehicles.
• The Corporate Fleet Unit (CFU) is prioritizing greener vehicles and electric vehicle chargepoints (EVCPs) to reduce emissions and meet climate change targets.

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities & Fire, emphasized the importance of these investments for reducing risk and achieving climate goals.

Read the full story.

SEND Strategy Aims to Tackle Legacy of Underinvestment

The cabinet has approved a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Joint Commissioning Strategy, aiming to improve outcomes for children and young people with SEND. Councillor Linda Cohen, Cabinet Member for Education & Skills, acknowledged a legacy of underinvestment and under delivery and highlighted the need for a proactive, joined-up approach.

The strategy focuses on five key areas:

• Ambitious and achievable outcomes for children with SEND.
• Early intervention and support.
• Addressing the interconnected needs of children with moderate learning difficulties, speech and language needs, and social and emotional challenges.
• Tailored support in mainstream settings.
• Responding to the increasing complexity of children's needs.

The strategy will be implemented between July 2025 and July 2030.

Learn more about the strategy.

Other Matters

• Budget Underspend: The cabinet agreed to transfer a £13.8 million underspend from the 2024/25 budget to reserves, while also noting a projected £16 million funding gap over the next four years. More details here.
• Firefighter Shift Patterns: The cabinet noted a report from the Fire Scrutiny Committee recommending the abandonment of changes to firefighter shift patterns, following concerns raised by firefighters. Councillor Paul Hodgkinson will provide a full response to the committee. Read the report.
• Adult Skills Programme: The council will receive £2.7 million in funding from the Department of Education (DfE) to deliver community learning and adult skills programmes in 2025/26. Find out more.

Upcoming Meetings

• Constitution Committee on June 26th will discuss changes to council procedures, including agenda order, questions at meetings, and rules for motions. View the agenda.
• Pension Committee on July 2nd. See details.
• Planning Committee Site Visits on July 3rd. More information.