Cheltenham Borough Council's Council meeting on 20 July 2026 saw councillors approve the delegation of planning enforcement powers to Gloucestershire County Council for two key development sites, and adopt a new Community Safety Partnership Strategy for 2026-2028 alongside an Anti-Hate Statement. The council also noted the 2025-26 financial outturn, which showed a £16,159 underspend on the General Fund and a £141,669 surplus on the Housing Revenue Account, and debated a motion concerning increased parking charges for heavier vehicles.

Delegation of Planning Enforcement to Gloucestershire County Council

Cheltenham Borough Council approved the delegation of planning enforcement powers to Gloucestershire County Council for two significant development sites: the Golden Valley Development (northern parcel) and land off Shelley Road (Monkscroft). This delegation is necessary because a local planning authority cannot enforce against itself. Gloucestershire County Council will act on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council in the unlikely event that formal enforcement action is required for these sites, ensuring impartial oversight and timely action. The Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, will finalise the formal delegation agreement, and the arrangement will be reviewed annually.

Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2028 and Anti-Hate Statement

The Council adopted the Cheltenham Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2026-2028, which outlines a collaborative approach to reducing crime, anti-social behaviour, and vulnerability in the town. The strategy focuses on three key priorities: Serious Organised Crime and Exploitation (SOCE), Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). Alongside this, the Gloucestershire Anti-Hate Statement was approved, serving as a public commitment to equality, community cohesion, and the prevention of hate crime. The strategy was welcomed by councillors, who emphasised the importance of peaceful protest and the need to combat rising hateful rhetoric.

General Fund & Housing Revenue Account Outturn Report 2025-26

The council noted the financial performance for the 2025-26 financial year, reporting a £16,159 underspend on the General Fund and a £141,669 surplus on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Councillor Peter Jeffries, Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, highlighted that this marks the second consecutive year of underspend on the General Fund, indicating financial stabilisation, though a significant savings target of £1.054m remains for 2026-27. He also noted that council tax collection rates stood at 98.01% and business rates at 97.19%, both exceeding national averages. The HRA capital programme saw an underspend of £5.2m against the budget, attributed to the delivery profile of major housing schemes, and HRA reserves are being rebuilt as planned. Approximately £1m of Section 106 contributions were applied to schemes during the year. The council also approved the carry-forward of capital budgets from 2025-26 into 2026-27.

Motion on Parking Charges for Heavy, Oversized Vehicles

A motion proposed by Councillor Jan Foster, aiming to increase parking charges for heavier, oversized vehicles in council-owned car parks, was debated. Councillor Foster highlighted concerns about the environmental impact, road safety, and infrastructure damage caused by such vehicles. Following debate and a proposed amendment by Councillor Richard Lawler, which suggested a review by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee into the impact of different vehicle types and potential policy changes, the amended motion was carried unanimously. The review will examine specific issues, appropriate criteria for policy changes, costs and benefits, impacts on various groups, and potential exemptions, before reporting back to the Council.

Other Discussions

Public Questions: Several public questions were addressed, including concerns about the town centre's appearance and the impact of Cavendish House's closure, the need for a dedicated Public Realm Officer, the standard of green space maintenance, and the status of the Municipal Offices sale. Councillor Izaac Tailford, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Wellbeing, Culture and Public Realm, responded to questions about town centre activity, noting positive footfall data and ongoing initiatives, while acknowledging the challenges posed by vacant units and the upcoming unitary authority changes. Councillor Steve Harvey, Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, Parks and Gardens, and Public Open Space, addressed concerns about the town's green spaces, attributing some issues to challenging weather conditions and resource limitations, and clarifying responsibilities for tree maintenance. Councillor Peter Jeffries, Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets, provided an update on the Municipal Offices sale, stating the exclusivity period runs until December 2026 and that detailed plans for vacating the premises are dependent on the sale's progress. Councillor Jamie Jamieson, Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities, responded to a question about youth services funding, outlining the council's support through the No Child Left Behind initiative, despite not having a statutory duty to fund youth work directly.

Member Questions: Councillor Ashleigh Davies asked about youth services supported by No Child Left Behind, with the Cabinet Member for Safety and Communities providing a detailed response outlining funding allocations to various providers.

Treasury Management Outturn Report 2025-26: The council noted the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2025-26, which detailed the council's borrowing and investment activities. The report indicated a net deficit of £172k against the budget for investment and borrowing interest, primarily due to higher borrowing rates in the final quarter of the financial year.

Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme: The HRA Capital Programme for 2025-26 showed an underspend of £5.2m against the revised budget, attributed to the delivery profile of major housing schemes. The report confirmed that the investment programme continues, and HRA reserves are being built back as planned.

Council Tax and Business Rates Collection Performance: The council noted the collection performance for Council Tax (98.01%) and Business Rates (97.19%) for 2025-26, both of which were reported as being above national averages, despite challenges related to the cost of living crisis.

Sale of the Municipal Offices: In response to a public question, it was confirmed that the exclusivity period for the sale of the Municipal Offices runs until 4 December 2026, with detailed plans for vacating the premises contingent on the sale's progress.

Cheltenham Lido Car Park Ownership: In response to a public question, it was confirmed that the car park remains in Cheltenham Borough Council's ownership but is leased to Cheltenham Lido under a new 99-year lease granted in March 2026. The possibility of selling the car park to the Lido trust was noted as a potential future discussion.

Election Costs: In response to a public question regarding the costs of the May 2026 elections, it was stated that these elections would create additional pressures of £140k, requiring further savings to be identified beyond the initial £1m planned.

Future Unitary Authority: The Leader of the Council, Councillor Rowena Hay, provided an update on the transition to a single unitary authority for Gloucestershire from April 2028, outlining the focus on preparation, the role of the shadow authority, and the importance of community governance reviews to protect local identity and accountability. She also highlighted ongoing progress on major projects such as Golden Valley and the Strategic Local Plan, as well as work within housing services.