The Cabinet of Gloucestershire County Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026, approving a response to the government regarding the Gloucestershire Structural Change Order, a new Green Skills Strategy, and an extension to the e-scooter trial alongside plans for a combined e-scooter and e-bike scheme. The Cabinet also noted a finance, performance, and risk monitoring report for Quarter 4 of 2025/26, approved the production of a new Joint Minerals and Waste Plan, and gave the go-ahead for the main works on the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme.

Gloucestershire County Council's response to Government on the Gloucestershire Structural Change Order

The Cabinet agreed on the council's position regarding the Gloucestershire Structural Change Order (SCO), which will determine the future structure of local government in the county. Representations will be made to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government based on responses outlined in Appendices 1, 2, and 3 of the report. A preference for a 'new council' model was agreed should the Secretary of State opt for a single unitary authority. Authority was delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to finalise and submit these representations by 16 June.

Council Strategy Action Plan Update, and Finance, Performance and Risk Monitoring Report: Q4 2025/26

Councillor Colin Hay, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets & Transformation, presented the Q4 2025/26 update on the Council Strategy and the finance, performance, and risk position. The Cabinet noted the report, which detailed the delivery of the Council Strategy action plan and the current performance and risk position. A revenue budget underspend of £7.642 million for 2025/26 was noted, and it was resolved to transfer this amount to reserves. £1.070 million will go to the Local Government Reorganisation Reserve, and the remaining £6.572 million will be transferred to the Risk and Opportunities Reserve. Other technical reserve movements for 2025/26 were also approved. The Cabinet noted that £25.656 million of savings were delivered against a target of £26.434 million in 2025/26 (97% achievement). Changes to the capital programme, including transfers and funding increases, were approved, and the capital outturn position for 2025/26 of £142.327 million against a revised budget of £150.568 million was noted, indicating an in-year slippage of £8.241 million. The council's performance against Prudential Indicators for 2025/26 was also noted.

Green Skills Strategy

Councillor Linda Cohen, Cabinet Member for Education & Skills, sought and received Cabinet approval to adopt the proposed Green Skills Strategy 2026-2030. This strategy aims to develop the workforce needed for Gloucestershire to achieve its Net Zero targets by focusing on Clean Energy Skills and Nature-Based Skills. The strategy proposes establishing a Gloucestershire Green Skills Faculty, a Retrofit Centre of Excellence, a Green Skills Pledge for businesses, and Green Skills Pathways. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Environment, Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with Councillor Cohen, to implement the strategy and participate in the Federated Faculty.

Gloucestershire E-Scooter Trial Extension and proposed procurement for combined E-scooter & E-Bike Scheme

Councillor Roger Whyborn, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport & Road Safety, sought and received Cabinet approval to extend the council's current Gloucestershire e-scooter contract with Voi Ltd for a further 12 months, commencing 1 July 2026. This extension will allow continued participation in the Department for Transport's (DfT's) e-scooter trial. Additionally, delegated authority was granted to the Executive Director of Environment, Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with Councillor Whyborn, to procure and award a contract for a new Gloucestershire-wide joint e-scooter and e-bike scheme. This new contract is planned to commence on 1 July 2027 with an initial term of 12 months and options to extend for three further one-year periods.

Joint Minerals and Waste Plan

Councillor Ashley Bowkett, Cabinet Member for Nature, Climate & Waste Reduction, sought and received Cabinet approval for the production of a new Minerals and Waste Plan, in accordance with the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 and The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director – Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, the Director of Economy and Environment, and the Assistant Director of Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with Councillor Bowkett, to undertake, approve, and publish all plan-making stages, evidence, and documentation required by the regulations, with the exception of the Proposed MWLP Consultation and Adoption.

SHaRe Light Touch Open Admission Framework Agreement

Councillor Ben Evans, Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding & Care, sought and received delegated authority to procure a Light Touch Open Admission Framework agreement, named SHaRe (Support, Help and Resources). This framework will be used to commission a range of support services for children, young people, and families. These include: Short Breaks for children with a disability; Floating Support for children and young people with a disability accessing social care; the Holiday Activity Food (HAF) programme; Inclusive Services to promote participation across short breaks and HAF; the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) to empower community initiatives; and Access to Resources for professional services in children's social care. The framework is intended to have an initial period of 6 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Children's Services, in consultation with Councillor Evans, to conduct the procurement, administer the framework, admit and remove service providers, and award call-off contracts.

Junction 10 Improvements Scheme – Notice to proceed with Main Works

Councillor Julian Tooke, Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure, sought and received approval to commence the main works for the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with Councillor Tooke and the Monitoring Officer, to exercise powers under the Development Consent Order, commission the main works, implement the programme, and agree a Deed of Variation to the main works contract. Approval was also given to earmark the Gloucestershire Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), estimated at £8.575 million, to manage short-term cashflow implications. Furthermore, the capital programme was increased by £44 million, bringing the total M5 Junction 10 Transport Improvement Scheme budget to £407 million, funded by additional HIF funding, CIL funding, and future Section 106 funding.