The Environment Committee of Stroud Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026, discussing a range of environmental and operational matters. Key decisions included the introduction of a setup fee structure for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Habitat Banks and the extension of four Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) related to dog control. The committee also reviewed performance and budget monitoring reports, receiving updates on various environmental initiatives and capital projects.

Introduction of Setup Fee Structure for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Habitat Banks

The committee agreed to introduce a two-stage fee structure for reviewing and approving applications to establish Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Habitat Banks. This decision aims to recover the officer time and costs incurred by the Local Planning Authority (LPA) in assessing these applications. The proposed fees, which are broadly in the middle of the market compared to other LPAs, consist of an initial £697 (inc. VAT) for an Expression of Interest and a further £2,405 (inc. VAT) for the full Habitat Bank Application Review. Additional costs will be charged for any reviews or site visits exceeding those included in the standard fees. The council's Biodiversity Net Gain Officer, Joel Hunziker, presented the report, highlighting that this initiative supports sustainable development, encourages investment in the district, and helps implement the Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. The fees will be reviewed annually.

Extension of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for Dog Control

The committee unanimously resolved to extend four existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) related to dog control for a further three-year period, from 18 October 2026. The decision followed a public consultation, which indicated strong support for retaining these orders. The PSPOs cover:

• PSPO 1: Requiring dog owners to remove faeces left by their dogs.
• PSPO 2: Requiring dogs to be put on a lead when directed by an authorised officer to prevent nuisance or disturbance.
• PSPO 3: Excluding dogs from designated areas such as children's play areas, bowling greens, and sports facilities, where clearly signed.
• PSPO 4: Requiring dogs to be kept on a lead in designated areas including allotments, cemeteries, car parks, canal towpaths, and designated cycle tracks.

Sarah Clark, Head of Environmental Health, presented the findings, noting that while the consultation showed overwhelming support for retaining the PSPOs, concerns were raised about the effectiveness of enforcement and the need for clearer signage and public education. The report highlighted that the canal towpath and cycle tracks were frequently mentioned as areas where issues with dogs off leads and fouling persist. The council will continue to monitor complaints and intelligence to inform targeted enforcement operations.

Performance Monitoring and Budget Monitoring Reports

The committee received updates on the council's performance and budget for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.

Performance Monitoring: The Environment Committee portfolio showed strong performance, with 28 actions on target and 3 completed, with no overdue actions. Significant progress was noted in climate action, nature recovery, housing decarbonisation, waste reduction, and planning policy. Key achievements included the completion of the council's annual carbon accounts and continued delivery of Natural Flood Management interventions. Councillors noted the importance of clearly articulating outcomes and measurable benefits in future reports.

Budget Monitoring: The report indicated a projected net revenue underspend of £204,000 against the latest budget for the Environment Committee. This included a favourable variance in Waste & Recycling services, partly due to the postponement of flexible plastic collection and more positive commodity recycling income. However, an overspend was forecast for the Ubico contract due to increased fuel prices and essential depot repairs. The Capital Programme showed a projected outturn variance of £1.919 million, largely due to the re-profiling of canal restoration works and a review of the timeline for major projects. The committee also noted the significant savings targets required as part of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), which will necessitate difficult decisions regarding service delivery.

Officer Reports

Several officer reports provided updates on specific environmental initiatives:

• Flexible Plastics (Plastic Bags and Wrappings): The government's decision to defer the mandatory collection of flexible plastics from household recycling services until 2030 was noted. This delay means the council will need to re-procure haulage, sorting, and processing services for the dry mixed recycling stream in 2028, irrespective of future decisions on flexible plastics.
• Climate and Nature Grants: The committee was updated on the progress of the Climate and Nature grants for 2026-27, with £45,540.62 committed to 29 projects, and an additional £9,050 to five school and church projects. These grants support community-led climate and nature action and contribute to the council's strategic objectives.
• Stroud District Council 2025 Carbon Accounts Report: The report detailed a significant reduction in Scope 1 emissions (69%) due to fleet changes and heating upgrades. Scope 2 emissions remained net zero due to a renewable electricity tariff, though consumption increased. Operational Scope 3 emissions reduced by 4.4%, but total recorded emissions increased due to the inclusion of carbon accounting for major projects, notably the Canal Project.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed and noted updates to its work programme for 2026/27, outlining key reports and topics to be considered in future meetings. This included ongoing performance and budget monitoring, updates on BNG, PSPO consultations, and various environmental initiatives. Reports on Bin Provision and Flexible Plastics Collection were scheduled for future meetings.