The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to review the council's future work plan and consider the Cabinet's forward plan. The committee will also receive an update on the Five Acres redevelopment project and hear about the work of the Combined Authority for Gloucestershire Task & Finish Group. A presentation on the Leisure Report is also scheduled.

The Scrutiny Forward Plan

The committee is scheduled to review and note the future Scrutiny work plan. This includes a specific item on the Local Plan Process & Evidence, which is intended to explore the reasons for changing from the legacy plan process to the gateway process. The report pack indicates that the aim is to highlight issues and problems before we embark on the gateway process and consider how the council will manage risks related to potential legal challenges to a plan. It will also examine the most effective ways of engaging communities in the local plan process, taking into account the National Planning Policy Framework¹.

The Cabinet Forward Plan

The committee will consider the Cabinet forward plan for the twelve months from November 2026 to February 2027. This will allow members to identify any items listed that they may wish to call into Overview and Scrutiny. The forward plan includes decisions on the New Local Plan - Scoping, the Lydney Neighbourhood Development Plan, and the Preventing Homelessness Action Plan Update. Other items include the Data Protection Policy, Budget Strategy 2027-2028, Arts, Culture & Heritage Strategy, and the first draft Revenue and Capital Budget 2027/2028.

Five Acres Redevelopment Project

Nigel Brinn, the Chief Executive Officer, is scheduled to provide an update on the Five Acres redevelopment project. This project has been a focus for the committee, with previous discussions in the Scrutiny Forward Plan indicating a desire to examine its progress.

Combined Authority for Gloucestershire Task & Finish Group

Councillor John Francis is scheduled to update the committee on the work of the Combined Authority for Gloucestershire Task & Finish Group. A report from this group outlines a proposed alternative governance model for Gloucestershire. This model suggests a single Gloucestershire-wide strategic authority led by a directly elected Mayor, responsible for strategic functions such as economic growth, transport, and infrastructure. Crucially, the model proposes the retention of local councils as the primary vehicles for local representation and service delivery, with a representative governance body beneath the Mayor. The report highlights potential advantages including the retention of local democratic accountability and the preservation of district identities. The group recommends that officers prepare a high-level options appraisal examining the feasibility of this model, alongside advice on legal and policy implications and comparative research into similar governance models.

Leisure Report

Andy Barge, Director of Communities and Place, is scheduled to give a presentation on the Leisure Report. This report is extensive, covering 76 pages of the public reports pack. Previous discussions by the committee have touched upon the services provided by Freedom Leisure, including their FLAIR scheme and the potential installation of solar PV panels. The committee has also previously discussed the Income Agency Agreement with Freedom Leisure, which was noted as a change to the financial and VAT structure only, with no change to the operation of the leisure service.