This week in Stroud:

Housing Funding and Budget Strategy Take Centre Stage at Council Meeting

Stroud District Council's main Council meeting was scheduled to consider significant proposals this week, focusing on securing funding for new housing projects and outlining the council's financial strategy for the coming years. While the meeting was not confirmed as held, the agenda reveals critical discussions that could impact housing availability and council services.

Major Investment in New Homes and Temporary Accommodation

The council was scheduled to explore opportunities for substantial investment in new housing, including provisions for those fleeing conflict and individuals requiring temporary accommodation. A report on the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 4 was set to propose adding £3.9 million to the 2026/27 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital programme. This funding is earmarked for the acquisition of resettlement and temporary accommodation units, directly addressing the urgent need for safe and stable housing for vulnerable residents.

Additionally, the council was to consider securing an extra £550,000 through the Social Housing Fund Wave 3 project. This additional funding aims to increase the number of homes delivered and improve their energy efficiency to EPC C standards, helping residents save on energy bills and live in more comfortable homes.

The council was also set to review its progress on housing acquisitions, having already secured 44 new affordable homes this year with an offer accepted for twelve more. A proposal to increase the 'Acquisition of Housing' capital budget by £10 million for 2026/27 was on the table, aiming to boost the total available budget to £19.2 million. These initiatives underscore the council's commitment to tackling the housing crisis and providing much-needed affordable homes for the community.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Council meeting papers.

Budget Strategy and Medium Term Financial Plan Under Review

The council was also scheduled to consider its budget strategy and a draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for the 2027/28 financial year. This plan is vital for setting the council's financial direction and will outline how services will be funded. The report highlighted a projected budget gap, indicating that the council will need to identify significant savings to balance its books. For residents, this could mean changes to service provision or potential adjustments to council tax. The MTFP also addresses pressures on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), with rent increases subject to national guidance.

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.

You can find more details about this discussion in the Council meeting papers.

Old Town Hall, Stroud: Community Asset Transfer for Arts Centre

A proposal for the community asset transfer of The Old Town Hall, Stroud to Stroud Valleys Artspace for a nominal sum was scheduled for discussion. The plan aims to transform the building into a 'Centre for Textile Arts'. This initiative would involve sub-leasing part of the ground floor to the Stroudwater Textile Trust, while retaining public meeting rooms and market stalls.

A key aspect of this proposal is the council's potential commitment of £70,000 to the capital programme for 2026/2027 to fund the installation of an electric heating system, taking the building off-gas. This move aligns with environmental goals and supports the development of a vital community and cultural hub.

You can find more details about this discussion in the Council meeting papers.

Other Matters

• Constitution Updates: Proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution were scheduled to be presented, including revisions to procedural rules and officer delegations.
• Independent Person Appointments: The council was due to appoint two further Independent Persons, as required by the Localism Act 2011, to assist with standards complaints.
• Committee Appointments: The council was scheduled to update the allocation of seats on its committees to reflect changes in membership and political balance, in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

This week in Stroud:

Council Faces Tough Choices on Budget and Housing: Key Decisions Awaited

Stroud District Council's Strategy and Resources Committee was scheduled to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the district this week, including the council's financial future and the urgent need for new homes. While the meeting was not confirmed as held, the agenda reveals significant proposals that could impact residents across Stroud.

Budget Strategy and Draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP)

The committee was set to review the council's financial roadmap for the coming years, with a draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2027/28 on the table. This plan is crucial for setting the council's budget and will outline how services will be funded. The report highlighted a projected budget gap, meaning the council will need to find significant savings. For residents, this could translate into changes in service provision or potential increases in council tax. The plan also addresses pressures on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), with rent increases subject to national guidance.

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.

You can find more details about this discussion in the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting papers.

Compulsory Purchase Powers for New Homes in Dursley

A significant proposal to use compulsory purchase powers to acquire land for new affordable homes in Dursley was also on the agenda. The plan aims to deliver up to 17 new affordable houses on land at May Lane/Prospect Place. This would involve widening an existing service road and altering parking for an adjacent retail unit.

This is a powerful tool for the council, allowing it to acquire land when negotiations with owners fail, but it is typically used as a last resort. The report argued for the public interest in this acquisition, citing the district's need for affordable housing and the number of households on the Homeseeker Plus register. For families struggling with housing costs, this could mean a much-needed opportunity for a stable home.

You can find more details about this discussion in the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting papers.

The Old Town Hall, Stroud: Community Asset Transfer

A proposal for a community asset transfer of The Old Town Hall, Stroud to Stroud Valleys Artspace (SVA) and Stroud Textiles Trust (STT) was scheduled for discussion. The plan is for SVA to take a long leasehold interest in the building to develop a 'Centre for Textile Arts'. This would involve sub-leasing part of the ground floor to STT, while retaining public meeting rooms and market stalls.

A key element of this proposal is the council funding and undertaking works to replace the gas heating system with an electric one, at an estimated cost of £70,000. This move to take the building off-gas aligns with broader environmental goals. For the community groups involved, this represents a significant opportunity to secure a vital cultural hub.

You can find more details about this discussion in the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting papers.

Support for Woodchester Mansion and Kingshill House

The committee was also set to consider how the council could support two important local heritage sites: Woodchester Mansion and Kingshill House.

For Woodchester Mansion, the discussion focused on securing funding for the next stage of project development to ensure its sustainable future. The report highlighted funding challenges facing the Woodchester Mansion Trust after existing grant funding ends in December 2026, and considered the potential need for council support to bridge an 18-month funding gap. The committee was asked to consider providing up to £250,000 from the Council Plan Earmarked Reserve to support a National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) application.

Regarding Kingshill House, the committee was presented with an urgent funding request from Kingshill House Limited. However, officers advised that this request could not be lawfully granted under the Subsidy Control Act 2022. The Act governs how public authorities can provide financial assistance to businesses to ensure fair competition. 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. This situation highlights the financial pressures faced by heritage organisations and the legal constraints on council support.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting papers.

Funding Boost for Energy Efficiency and Housing

The committee was also scheduled to consider opportunities for additional grant funding to improve energy efficiency in social housing and acquire more homes.

• Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 Additional Solar Supplementary Funding: An application for an additional £1.546 million in grant funding was proposed to enable solar PV and battery installations in an additional 65 properties. This would help residents save on energy bills and improve the environmental performance of council homes.
• 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 council was asked to consider adding an additional £3.9 million to the 2026/27 HRA capital programme for this scheme.
• Acquisition of Housing Capital Budget: An update on housing acquisitions was provided, with a request for an additional £10 million to enable the council to continue its programme of acquiring new affordable homes.

These initiatives demonstrate the council's commitment to addressing the housing crisis and supporting residents through energy efficiency measures.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Strategy and Resources Committee meeting papers.

Other Matters

• 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 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.
• Member / Officer Reports: Updates were scheduled to be received on Performance Management Q1, Leadership Gloucestershire, the City Region Board, and the Regeneration and Investment Board.
• Work Programme: The committee was scheduled to consider its work programme for the upcoming period.

This week in Stroud:

Council Meeting Postponed: Key Decisions on Risk Management and Policies Delayed

The Audit and Standards Committee of Stroud District Council, scheduled to meet on Tuesday 29 September 2026, was postponed. This means that several important discussions regarding the council's governance and operational policies have been delayed.

The committee was due to review and approve a revised [Strategic Risk Register](https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/council-meetings/meeting-information?meetingid=165031#agendaitem_10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 ------ END OF MEETING DATA ------

This week in Stroud:

Housing Developments Under Scrutiny: Uley, Gloucester, and Whitminster Applications Face Council Review

Stroud District Council's Development Control Committee met on Tuesday 22 September 2026 to consider a range of planning applications that could significantly shape local housing landscapes. The committee reviewed proposals for new homes in Uley, Gloucester, and Whitminster, alongside a crucial budget monitoring report.

Uley: Self-Build Homes Face Potential Refusal

A proposal for up to three self-build dwellings on land at South Street, Uley was recommended for refusal by council officers. The key concern centres on the development's location within the Cotswolds National Landscape and its potential to harm the character of the Uley Conservation Area. This decision highlights the delicate balance the council must strike between providing housing and preserving the unique environmental and historical qualities of the district, particularly in designated landscapes. For those hoping to build their own homes, this refusal could mean a significant setback.

Gloucester: Affordable Housing Boost on the Horizon?

An outline planning application for up to 49 dwellings, including a commitment to 30% affordable housing, was discussed for land south of Grange Road, Gloucester. Despite being outside the adopted Local Plan's settlement limits, the council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply under the National Planning Policy Framework weighed in favour of the proposal. This situation underscores a common challenge for local authorities: balancing development needs with established planning boundaries, especially when housing targets are not being met. The inclusion of affordable housing is a critical factor for residents struggling with housing affordability.

Whitminster: Reserved Matters for 44 New Homes

The committee also considered the approval of reserved matters for 44 dwellings off School Lane, Whitminster. This stage of the planning process focuses on the finer details of siting, design, access, and landscaping, following an earlier outline approval. While officers recommended permission, concerns were raised by Whitminster Parish Council regarding density, parking, and play provision. These local concerns reflect the everyday impact of new developments on existing communities, from traffic to the availability of green spaces for children.

Budget Concerns: Overspend in Planning Services

The Development Control Committee also reviewed the first-quarter budget monitoring report for 2026/27. The report indicated a projected net revenue overspend of £31,000. This was attributed to increased consultancy fees, rising supplier costs due to inflation, and a higher-than-anticipated number of planning appeals requiring specialist legal representation. This overspend could have implications for the council's ability to fund other services or necessitate future savings, potentially impacting the resources available for essential community projects.

You can find more details about these discussions in the Development Control Committee meeting papers.