Full Council was scheduled to consider a range of important matters, including proposed changes to the Council's Constitution, the development of a new plan-making system, and the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan. Councillors were also scheduled to debate several motions on topics such as poverty at the end of life, the rotation of committee chairs, the protection of specialist housing, the Forest of Dean UNESCO Biosphere, and the televising of national emergency briefings on the climate and nature crisis.

Constitution Amendments

Councillor Sid Phelps, Chair of the Constitution Working Group, was scheduled to present a report detailing proposed changes to the Council's Constitution, adopted in April 2025. These amendments were scheduled to address minor corrections, incorporate changes necessitated by the National Scheme of Delegation for Planning Decisions, update the Scheme of Delegation for the Senior Officer for Environmental and Regulatory Services, and revise the process for handling Members' Code of Conduct complaints. A proposal was also scheduled to be considered to revert the name of the Development Management Committee to Planning Committee.

New Gateway Plan Making System

Councillor Adrian Birch, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategy and Built Environment, was scheduled to present a report on a new Gateway Plan Making System, seeking approval to undertake a scoping consultation. This consultation is the preliminary stage of developing a local plan and aims to gather views on the broad scope of the plan and how stakeholders wish to be engaged. A revised Local Plan timetable was also scheduled to be agreed.

Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan

Councillor Adrian Birch was also scheduled to present a report on the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan 2025-2043. The report was expected to cover the examiner's findings on the plan, which recommended proceeding to a referendum subject to recommended changes. The council was scheduled to consider accepting these changes and, if the referendum result was favourable, formally adopt the plan as part of the Development Plan for planning decisions in Lydney.

Notices of Motion

Several motions were scheduled for discussion:

• Poverty at the End of Life: Councillor Julia Gooch was scheduled to propose a motion noting the financial pressures faced by individuals and families living with terminal illness. The motion was scheduled to call for enhanced Council Tax Support for eligible households, inclusion of provision in the next Local Council Tax Support Scheme, and prioritisation for support through the Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund.

• Rotation and Tenure of Chairs and Vice-Chairs: Councillor Julia Gooch was also scheduled to propose a motion concerning the rotation and tenure of Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Council and its committees. The motion aimed to amend the Constitution to limit consecutive service in these roles to two years, with a minimum two-year break before eligibility to serve again. It also sought to ensure Vice-Chair positions form part of a succession pathway and that arrangements apply equally to all councillors and political groups.

• Protection of Specialist Housing for Older and Vulnerable Residents: Councillor Stuart Graham was scheduled to propose a motion recognising the Council's statutory responsibilities towards homeless individuals and the need to protect specialist housing for older and vulnerable residents. The motion was scheduled to advocate for adopting the principle of specialist housing as a distinct resource, ensuring age and eligibility restrictions are applied, and considering Local Lettings Plans in areas with concerns about anti-social behaviour. It also aimed to ensure suitability assessments for applicants and a review of Section 106 agreements.

• Forest of Dean UNESCO Biosphere: Councillor Stuart Graham was also scheduled to propose a motion concerning the Forest of Dean UNESCO Biosphere. The motion was scheduled to call for an independent business case before any further discretionary funding or major operational commitment, suspension of the current consultation pending reassessment of economic evidence, withdrawal of the 3.89:1 figure, and clear separation between those promoting the proposal and those testing its case.

• Forest of Dean UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Application: Councillor Bernie O'Neill was scheduled to propose a motion regarding the Forest of Dean UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Application. The motion highlighted concerns about effective consultation with key community groups and proposed continuing local consultation, establishing a representative community panel, conducting a balanced examination, publishing findings, and holding a district-wide referendum alongside the May 2027 elections, committing to honouring the electorate's decision.

• Televising the National Emergency Briefing on the Climate and Nature Crisis: Councillor Jacob Sanders was scheduled to propose a motion supporting the National Emergency Briefing initiative's call for a primetime televised national emergency briefing on climate and nature. The motion aimed to reset public understanding of the threats and benefits of action, and build support for a collective national response.

Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee Reports

The Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to report on recent activities, followed by questions from members.

The meeting was scheduled to commence at 6:00 pm.