The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to consider a range of important topics at its upcoming meeting. These include an update on Gloucestershire Airport, progress on the Corporate Plan 2025-2028, and plans for the redevelopment of The Fleece Hotel site. The committee will also receive an update on the Greyfriars redevelopment project and review its own work programme and the Council's Forward Plan.

Gloucestershire Airport Update

A financial update on Gloucestershire Airport is scheduled for discussion. The report pack indicates that the airport has seen a decrease in movements in 2026 compared to previous years, with 59,000 movements recorded between January and September. The airport is highlighted as unique for its ability to train individuals from novice flyers to airline pilots, with approximately two-thirds of its flying activities being training flights. The report also notes that the airport received two external regulatory audits from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the preceding months, covering Air Traffic Control service provision and engineering, as well as the physical elements of the airfield. Both audits reportedly yielded extremely good results, with particular commendation for continual improvement and the overall quality of safety management and service provision. The airport has also been undertaking a process to reduce operational costs and improve business performance, which has involved changes to fees for home-based and visitor aircraft, the introduction of safeguarding fees, and adjustments to general operational airfield service charges, property rental agreements, and aircraft hangarage charges. This work has been based on a data-driven review of the business, allowing for the identification of specific areas requiring attention and improvement. A financial update is to be provided under a closed session.

Corporate Plan Update 2025-2028

The committee is set to consider a report from the Managing Director providing an update on the delivery of activities outlined in the Corporate Plan 2025-2028, titled Putting the Heart back into Gloucester. The plan's vision is guided by three priorities: fostering a vibrant and attractive city that celebrates Gloucester's heritage, building inclusive and thriving communities where residents feel safe, supported, and valued, and establishing an innovative and accountable council focused on delivering sustainable, high-quality, accessible services and facilities. The Corporate Plan, approved in May 2025, initially contained 57 actions, which were increased to 60 and then 71 following public and stakeholder consultation and opposition amendments. This is the third bi-annual progress report. The report notes that circumstances have changed considerably since the plan's approval, with significant financial challenges following an application for Emergency Financial Support (EFS) and ongoing resource pressures. Uncertainty surrounding Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Gloucestershire also requires officer resources. Consequently, it is no longer anticipated that the council will be able to proactively deliver all 71 actions. A review of the actions has been undertaken, and the report will present updates on actions that officers can continue to progress, alongside those not being actively pursued. Of the 82 actions detailed (including subcategories), 54% are completed or expected to complete on time, 18% are in progress with a risk of delay, and 28% are not actively being progressed. Notable achievements include the completion and publication of Statements of Accounts for previous years, with the 2025/26 accounts and Annual Governance Statement meeting the statutory deadline. Two planning enforcement posts have been established and are fully staffed, and Gloucester's Cultural Strategy was approved in July 2026, with work underway to embed it across cultural organisations.

The Fleece Hotel Site

The Director of Place, Assets and Regeneration is scheduled to present a report concerning The Fleece Hotel site. The committee will be asked to consider approving the acceptance of a grant offer of £261,500 from Historic England's Heritage at Risk Capital Grants fund. Additionally, approval will be sought for the allocation of £43,000 in match funding to advance the development of the site. The report details that The Fleece Hotel site, located within the City Centre Conservation Area, includes nationally important designated heritage assets, such as the Grade I listed 12th-century vaulted undercroft and the 15th-century Great Inn, Westgate, and Kitchen ranges. The site has been on the National Historic Buildings 'At Risk' register and ceased operating as a hotel in 2002. The City Council acquired the property in 2011 and has since invested in stabilisation works. The report highlights that the significant conservation deficit and unknown restoration costs have been barriers to securing a development partner. The Historic England grant will fund repairs to the Westgate range roof, restoration of shop units at numbers 19 and 23, condition surveys, and an options appraisal for the site. The timeline for utilising the grant is tight, with £100,000 required to be spent by the end of March 2027 and the full grant by the end of March 2028. The report also notes that the refurbishment of the vacant shop units is intended to generate income to offset the match funding.

Greyfriars Report 2: Market, Food Court, Pavilion and Addison's Folly

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the progress of the Greyfriars redevelopment project. The report from the Director of Place, Assets and Regeneration will outline the current status of the market, food court, pavilion, and Addison's Folly, and will seek necessary approvals to maintain the project's delivery timeline.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Council Forward Plan

The committee will review the latest version of its own work programme and the Council's Forward Plan. This will provide an overview of upcoming agenda items and planned decisions for the committee and the wider council.

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday, 2nd November 2026, at 6:30 pm in the Civic Suite, North Warehouse, The Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2EP.