The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Tewkesbury Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026, discussing the Integrated Locality Partnership, the Council Plan Performance Tracker, and a new youth engagement strategy. The committee received updates on the Council Plan performance and financial outturn.

Integrated Locality Partnership

The committee received an update on the work of the Tewkesbury Borough Integrated Locality Partnership (ILP), which brings together various partners including the Integrated Care Board, local government, the voluntary sector, and housing providers to address health inequalities. The report highlighted successful projects such as digital inclusion initiatives and young people's programmes, with ongoing work in areas like Winchcombe and Northway. Councillors raised questions about the criteria used to determine health and socioeconomic inequalities, the process for involving local insights, and how local groups and parishes can be kept updated and offer support. Discussions also covered the funding model for ILP projects, particularly in light of potential Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) changes, and the reorganisation within Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) moving towards a more strategic population health focus. The committee was assured that Gloucestershire remains a distinct place within the wider ICB cluster and that neighbourhood structures are in place to maintain a focus on local communities.

Council Plan Performance Tracker

The Director of Corporate Resources introduced the Council Plan Performance Tracker for Quarter 1 2026, noting a rationalised plan with 17 key actions. The report highlighted four actions as amber due to slippage or delivery barriers, including the SLP programme and the Math site development. Key performance indicators (KPIs) were also reviewed, with three showing below-target performance. Corporate health indicators were also presented, with four showing below-target performance. Councillors raised concerns about the increase in bed and breakfast and hotel accommodation use, and the rise in rough sleeper numbers, although it was noted that Tewkesbury's figures remain low nationally. The impact of potential LGR on the Council Plan and its funding was also discussed, with officers stating it was too early to determine the implications. The committee also discussed the progress of the SLP programme, noting a slight delay due to external consultant evidence, but remaining on track for submission. Concerns were raised about climate change impacts on projects, with the council highlighting its investment in a water bowser to maintain planted trees and its consideration of weather-resilient species.

Financial Outturn Analysis

The committee reviewed the Quarter 1 financial outturn, which projected a healthy surplus of £1.1 million. Risks identified included potential delays in receiving £6.8 million for the Junction 10 project and the assumption that garden community staff costs would be covered by a grant. Planning income was projected to be higher than budgeted due to anticipated large applications. The report also detailed savings identified and tracked, with 97% on track. Discussions touched upon the risk associated with Garden Towns' employment costs, the process for planning appeals, and the impact of the Renters' Rights Act. Concerns were also raised about the underperformance of garden waste subscriptions and bulky waste income, alongside an increase in fly-tipping, particularly of fridges. Officers explained a national issue with fridge reprocessing and the council's interim solution with a third-sector partner.

Youth Engagement Strategy

The committee discussed a new strategy for youth engagement, aiming to involve young people in decision-making and provide opportunities for their voices to be heard, as outlined in Council Plan objective CP17. The phased approach includes understanding current youth participation, surveying local providers, delivering engagement events, and co-designing future approaches. Councillors welcomed the report and the proposed approach, with some expressing concerns about the timeline and the need for earlier impact in areas with limited youth provision. Officers explained that the phased approach is designed to build meaningful relationships and ensure effective, embedded engagement, with a base budget of £50,000 per year allocated to the initiative. The strategy aims to engage young people across all areas of the borough, including rural communities, and will involve commissioning external partners and utilising social media. The committee endorsed the approach and delegated authority to the Director of Communities and the Lead Member for Community Development and Engagement to develop and deliver it.

Empty Homes

The Head of Service for Environmental Health presented an update on the empty homes initiative, detailing the process of identifying and assessing empty properties. The project has focused on properties that have been empty for a significant period and are not second homes, holiday lets, or subject to compulsory purchase orders. The report highlighted that eight high-risk properties had been brought back into use, with some having been empty for over 20 years. The committee discussed the use of Community Protection Notices and other enforcement measures, as well as the limitations of the council's powers regarding compulsory purchase orders and empty dwelling management orders. Councillors praised the work of the environmental health team and acknowledged the contribution of bringing empty properties back into use.

Local Government Reorganisation Joint Scrutiny Panel Update

The committee received a brief update on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Joint Scrutiny Panel, noting that the first meeting had been postponed.

Executive Committee Forward Plan

The Executive Committee Forward Plan was presented, and councillors noted that it appeared light compared to the committee's own schedule. Officers assured the committee that work was ongoing and that the plan would be populated further. A comment was made regarding the importance of the updated Tree and Woodland Management Policy.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2026-2027 and the accompanying action list were reviewed. The action list indicated that 36 out of 49 actions had been implemented, with the remainder in progress. A question was raised regarding the inclusion of speed management in the air quality strategy, with officers clarifying that while speed management can contribute to poor air quality, actions to address it would fall under the County Council's remit. A query was also raised about the delay in refreshing the Cost of Living Support Measures section of the Council's financial contribution, which was explained as being tied to the annual Cost of Living Annual Report.