The Council was scheduled to discuss a motion on preparing North Somerset for extreme heat, a commissioning plan for a new waste depot, and the Youth Justice Plan for 2026-27. Other topics included the development of new children's residential homes and updates on moving children on from residential care.

Preparing North Somerset for Extreme Heat

Councillor Mike Dunn was scheduled to propose a motion urging the Cabinet to review current arrangements for addressing extreme heat events. The motion sought to ensure that existing strategies adequately protect vulnerable residents, maintain essential council services, and support the council's workforce and workplaces. It also called for consideration of managing overheating risks in council buildings and providing timely public information. The motion also proposed that the Leader of the Council write to the government requesting a clearer national framework and adequate funding for local adaptation and resilience measures.

Commissioning Plan for New Waste Depot

The Council was scheduled to consider a commissioning plan for the design and build contractor and employer's agent for a new waste depot and Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) in Weston-super-Mare. The report, presented by Cabinet Members Steve Bridger and Annemieke Waite, outlined the need for new infrastructure due to the inadequacy of existing facilities and the lease expiry of the current waste depot. The proposed approach involves a two-stage design and build contract, with the first stage focusing on detailed design, planning applications, and cost certainty before a decision is made on the construction phase. The estimated cost for Stage 1 is £2.5 million, with indicative total project costs around £56 million. The plan aligns with the council's corporate policy, including its Climate Emergency Strategy and Recycling and Waste Management Strategy.

Youth Justice Plan 2026-27

Councillor Catherine Gibbons was scheduled to present the North Somerset Youth Justice Plan for 2026-27. The plan outlines a partnership vision to prevent children from becoming involved in crime, protect them from harm, reduce offending and reoffending, support victims, and improve outcomes for vulnerable children. Key priorities include helping children stay out of the criminal justice system, reducing reoffending, and improving support for victims. The plan aligns with the government's White Paper Cutting Youth Crime, Changing Young Lives and builds on the service's achievements in reducing first-time entrants, reoffending, and custody rates. The plan also addresses challenges such as improving education engagement and tackling disproportionality.

Development of North Somerset's Residential Homes

Councillor Catherine Gibbons was also scheduled to provide an update on the development of North Somerset's two new children's residential homes, Haven House in Weston-super-Mare and Strawberry House in Winscombe. These homes are part of the council's sufficiency strategy to increase local residential provision and enable children to remain within their communities. The report detailed the progress of refurbishment, anticipated timescales for registration and opening, and the model of care, which integrates residential care with intensive family support. The report also outlined current work to support children moving on from residential care to less restrictive, family-based environments, such as reunification with parents, kinship care, or foster care. Young people have been involved in influencing the design and culture of the new homes.

Motions by Members

Councillor Mike Dunn was scheduled to propose a motion titled Preparing North Somerset for Extreme Heat. This motion sought to ensure that the council's existing Climate Change Adaptation Strategy adequately addresses the increasing frequency and severity of extreme heat events.

Question Time

Members were scheduled to have the opportunity to ask questions relevant to the work of the Cabinet, the Planning and Regulatory Committee, and other sub-committees.

Other Business

The agenda also included standard items such as apologies for absence, public participation, declarations of interest, and the approval of minutes from the previous meeting on 14 July 2026. There was also a placeholder for a Forward Plan dated 02 September 2026. Announcements from the Chairperson, Leader, and Chief Executive were also listed, along with provisions for urgent business.