The County Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday 24 June 2026 was set to cover a range of significant topics, including the council's approach to housing numbers and infrastructure, the critical issue of male suicide prevention, and the funding of schools and special educational needs services. Additionally, the meeting's agenda included discussions on the structure of council committees, the corporate parenting strategy, and various motions proposed by councillors on diverse subjects.

Housing Numbers and Infrastructure

A key item scheduled for discussion was a motion concerning housing numbers and the associated infrastructure. The motion highlighted concerns about the housing targets set by the government, arguing they were disproportionate and ill-considered, particularly in relation to the availability of infrastructure such as roads, schools, and medical facilities. The proposal called for the Council to write to the Minister responsible for Housing to request a reduction in these numbers and to work with other councils on a county-wide approach to address development challenges. It also urged local planning authorities and infrastructure partners to adopt an infrastructure-first approach, ensuring wastewater capacity and other essential services are in place before new developments proceed beyond foundation level. A report back to the Full Council within six months was requested to detail progress on these activities.

Male Suicide Prevention

The meeting was also scheduled to address the grave concern of disproportionately high suicide rates among men in Gloucestershire and across England and Wales. The motion proposed that the Council support and promote men's mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiatives, focusing on men aged 25-54 where rates are highest. It also called for collaboration with the Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership and Public Health colleagues to strengthen local preventative strategies, support networks, and outreach to underserved male groups. Furthermore, the motion proposed commissioning targeted communications campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage early help-seeking, and requested a report within six months outlining measurable actions and outcomes to reduce male suicide rates locally.

Support for Schools and SEND Services

Another significant topic on the agenda was the need for fairer funding for Gloucestershire schools and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services. The motion noted the government's proposed reforms to the SEND system, welcoming the focus on early intervention and local mainstream school access. However, it raised concerns about the funding mechanisms, highlighting that current Department for Education formulas contain historic protection factors that perpetuate inequity. Gloucestershire, as a key member of the F40 campaign, reportedly receives £30 million less per year than demographically comparable counties. The Council was asked to call on Cabinet to continue pressing for fairer funding, request Gloucestershire's MPs to lobby the Department for Education to remove historic protection factors, and ask all county councillors to support the F40 Group's advocacy for fair funding.

Council Committees and Structure

The meeting was also set to discuss proposed changes to the structure of Council committees. Recommendations from the Constitution Committee included expanding the terms of reference and membership of the Joint Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee to encompass climate adaptation, waste reduction, ecology, and nature recovery, renaming it the Gloucestershire Economy, Climate Change and Waste Scrutiny Committee. Other proposed changes involved refocusing the Environment Scrutiny Committee on Highways and Transport matters, revising the role of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and reducing the membership of the Planning, Constitution, Commons and Rights of Way, and Safety & Licensing Committees.

Corporate Parenting

An update on Corporate Parenting activity was scheduled, highlighting the Council's role as a corporate parent to care-experienced children and young people. The report was expected to cover the activities of the Corporate Parenting Group, including updates from sub-groups focusing on Staying Safe and Achieving Your Potential. Key dates for the year were noted, such as an Education, Employment and Training Summit and preparations for National Care Leavers Month. The report was also to provide updates on social care initiatives, including a Housing Summit for care leavers, a Voice Gloucestershire event, and the annual Fostering Development Day. Performance data for children in care and care leavers was to be presented, alongside updates on the Independent Reviewing Service and Fostering Service.

Other Motions

Several other motions were scheduled for discussion:

• Extending Youth Voice in Climate Decision-Making: This motion aimed to reaffirm the Council's commitment to youth perspectives in climate policy and requested scrutiny committees to work with young people and experts to design a successor initiative to the Gloucestershire Youth Climate Group.
• Community Energy and Community Benefit for Gloucestershire: This motion proposed supporting a Gloucestershire-wide approach to community energy and community benefit from renewable energy development, with a cross-party task-and-finish group to develop a delivery plan.
• Highways Community Partnership Motion: This motion sought to support the development of a community highways partnership scheme to improve responsiveness and community involvement in addressing minor highways issues.
• Embedding Doughnut Economics as a Strategic Compass for Gloucestershire: This motion proposed embedding Doughnut Economics as a framework for guiding policy, budgets, and decision-making, with scrutiny committees tasked with hosting training sessions and developing a Gloucestershire Doughnut as a strategic guide.
• Reinstatement of support for Community Speed Watch Cameras and Vehicle Activated Signage (VASs) schemes: This motion called for the reinstatement of dedicated funding for these initiatives, prioritising communities not included in the Safer Roads and Community 20s programme.
• Acknowledging and respecting local heritage, traditions and customs: This motion aimed to ensure the retention of local heritage and customs beyond the Local Government Review, with specific reference to stakeholders in the Forest of Dean.
• Reopening the Black Bridge (Stowfield Viaduct), Lydbrook: This motion called for the commitment to reopening the Black Bridge on a temporary basis while a permanent solution is developed, and for a report on delivery programmes, costed options, and funding strategies.
• Donation of Decommissioned Fire Engines to Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine: This motion requested the exploration of feasibility for donating up to five decommissioned fire engines to support emergency response operations in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine.
• A Gloucestershire Road-Safety Education Pathway from Early Years to Adulthood: This motion proposed developing a comprehensive road-safety education pathway and launching a county-wide schools competition for mascot designs.
• Extending the Council Meeting Calendar into July and August: This motion aimed to amend the council calendar to ensure ordinary meetings continue throughout July and August, providing year-round democratic oversight.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence, confirmation of minutes, declarations of interest, announcements, public questions, and petitions.