The Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 2 September 2026 to discuss the impacts of quarrying and the new Gloucestershire Joint Minerals (and Waste) Plan, as well as the council's preparedness for the upcoming winter season. The committee will also receive a report from the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, review its work plan, and discuss future meetings.

The Impacts of Quarrying and the Gloucestershire Joint Minerals (and Waste) Plan

The committee is scheduled to receive information regarding the impacts of quarrying and an introduction to the new Gloucestershire Joint Minerals (and Waste) Plan. This topic is expected to be presented by Simon Excell and Robin Drake. The specific details of this report were not available at the time of publication.

Winter Preparedness

An overview of Gloucestershire County Council's highway preparedness for the 2026/27 winter season is scheduled for discussion. This report, presented by Kathryn Haworth, will cover arrangements for managing snow, ice, flooding, and other adverse weather impacts on the highway network, aiming to provide assurance regarding operations, resilience, and community preparedness. The council has a statutory duty to ensure safe passage on the highway during winter conditions, as outlined in the Highways Act 1980¹. The council's arrangements are detailed in its Adverse Weather Plan 2025/26, which includes procedures for snow and ice, flooding, high winds, and extreme heat, following national guidance. The winter service period runs from October to April, with continuous monitoring of weather conditions and precautionary treatments when necessary. The council maintains a fleet of 29 gritting vehicles and approximately 11,400 tonnes of rock salt stored across four depots. The strategic winter network covers approximately 28% of the county's roads, including A and B class roads, routes serving essential services, and key public transport corridors. In severe weather, the focus remains on the strategic network, with potential extensions to secondary routes if resources allow. A Resilience Network (Minimum Winter Network) is in place for exceptional circumstances. Community preparedness is supported through Snow Wardens, volunteer snow plough operators, and Town and Parish Councils, with around 5,000 grit bins available for public use. The Adverse Weather Plan also addresses flooding, high winds, and extreme heat, reflecting the need for a comprehensive year-round resilience approach. Key challenges include weather volatility, financial pressures, rising operational costs, maintaining community resilience, and ensuring effective communication during rapidly changing conditions.

Executive Director's Report: Economy, Environment & Infrastructure

Members will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the report from Colin Chick, Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Infrastructure. This report provides information on progress and proposals across various areas within the department. It highlights forthcoming decisions, including those related to nature recovery projects, garden waste composting contracts, the Gloucestershire WorkWell Programme, and transport strategies.

Under Highways, the report details progress on the M5 Junction 10 project, including funding arrangements and land acquisition. It also outlines developments for the Gloucestershire Cycle Spine, major projects for structures and geotechnical works, and the performance of highway maintenance contracts. The report notes an increase in the number of planning applications received and the ongoing work of the Highway Legal Agreements team.

In Traffic & Transport, the report provides updates on Definitive Map Modification Orders, Highways Development Management, and local plans across different districts. It also details progress on public and school transport, the corporate fleet, road safety initiatives, and parking enforcement.

The Economy & Environment section covers the City Region Board, Gloucestershire Business Board, and progress on the M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) project. It also details the Digital Infrastructure, Inclusion and Innovation Strategy, the Local Growth Plan, and the Invest in Gloucestershire Programme. The development of the county's Food and Farming Strategy and the Green Skills Conference are also mentioned.

The report also touches upon Libraries, Registration services, Nature, Climate and Waste Reduction initiatives, and Employment and Skills programmes, including the Get Gloucestershire Working Plan and various specific employment and skills initiatives.

Work Plan

The committee will review its work plan for the upcoming year. This will involve considering suggestions for future items and reviewing the prioritisation of topics. The agenda indicates that discussions will include the Minerals and Waste Local Plan consultation, which is expected to take place in the autumn, with a draft plan to be presented in September. Members will also be able to suggest items for future consideration, with guidance provided on how to assess whether scrutiny can add value to a proposed topic. The report pack includes a prioritisation table to assist members in this process, encouraging them to consider alignment with council priorities, areas of poor performance or risk, and public interest.

Future Meetings

The committee will note the dates of future meetings scheduled for 18 November 2026, 13 January 2027, and 3 March 2027.