The Environment Committee of Stroud District Council met on Thursday 19 September 2024, approving a new Antisocial Behaviour Policy and noting the council's budget monitoring for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. The committee also received updates on various environmental and planning matters, including the Local Plan, climate leadership initiatives, and waste management.

Antisocial Behaviour Policy 2024

The committee recommended the approval of the Antisocial Behaviour Policy 2024 to the Community Services and Licensing Committee. The Head of Community Services, Angela Gillingham, explained that the policy establishes a framework for the council's approach to antisocial behaviour (ASB), covering prevention, early identification, supportive intervention, and enforcement. This policy aims to provide a consistent partnership approach between Gloucestershire Constabulary and Stroud District Council (SDC) to tackle medium and high-level ASB. The policy also outlines how residents can report ASB, with enhancements to the SDC webpage planned to facilitate online reporting. Councillor Tricia Watson commended the inclusion of litter and fly-tipping within the policy, and Councillor Holly Simkiss emphasised the importance of consistency through data insight. The policy has undergone extensive consultation with various groups, including young people and community organisations, and includes an Equality Impact Assessment¹.

Budget Monitoring Q1 2024-25

The committee noted the outturn forecast for the General Fund Revenue budget and the Capital Programme for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. The Accountant advised that there was an underspend of £116,000 against the committee's budget. The biggest variance was within waste and recycling, attributed to positive recyclate values. Councillor Martin Brown and Councillor Tricia Watson thanked the officer for the report, and the motion to note the outturn forecast was carried unanimously.

Member / Officer Reports

Strategic Planning Advisory Board Councillor Sarah Canning raised concerns about the 15% contribution cost SDC would be required to fund for Junction 14 improvements. The Chair, Councillor Chloe Turner, noted that this contribution was dictated by developers under Section 106 Agreements² and stated that the Strategic Director of Place would seek an update from the Head of Strategic Planning and Economic Development. The report also detailed proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which could significantly increase Stroud's housing target by 36% and Cotswold District Council's by 94%. Members expressed concern about the scale of these targets, the potential landscape impact, and the lack of measures to address stalled developments or landbanked sites.

Stroud Town Regeneration Committee Councillor Steve Hynd questioned the location and availability of a cycle storage facility and SDC's role in promoting it. Councillor Katy Hofmann advised that the facilities would be located at the Five Valleys Shopping Centre, though no date had been confirmed. Councillor Hynd also sought clarification on the cycle spine on the A419, noting that the current plan did not include sufficient pedestrian space. Councillor Hofmann explained that this was a feasibility study and that consultants were considering other options.

Climate Leadership Gloucestershire The Chair, Councillor Chloe Turner, reported that the last meeting focused on biodiversity, including an update on the Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy, which was due to go out for consultation in November. The meeting also included a session on climathons led by Cotswold District Council and Forest of Dean District Council.

Gloucestershire Resource & Waste Partnership Councillor Tricia Watson provided an update, highlighting that Stroud continued to lead the county in waste minimisation and recycling statistics. She commended local organisations for their work in redistributing items and relating to upcycling. Councillor Watson also sought the committee's support for SDC to formally write to Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) requesting crucial data regarding the incinerator in their district. This data is needed to plan ahead and invest in practical mitigations to offset potential increased costs resulting from changes to the Emissions Trading Directive.

Local Plan Briefing Update Councillor Richard Maisey asked about the timeline for receiving an updated response from the inspectors regarding the Local Plan. The Chair, Councillor Turner, advised that SDC would respond by 5 December, but there was no defined date for the inspectors' response. Councillor Maisey also inquired about the possibility of making substantial modifications, to which the Strategic Director of Place responded that any modifications would require further consultation before SDC could consider adopting the plan.

Electric Vehicle Charging Points Information Sheet Councillor Demelza Turner-Wilkes asked if SDC could work with its provider to secure better deals on electric vehicle charging, noting that home charging rates were competitive. The Community Services Environment Manager explained that the fees were contractual and that subsidising costs would require a committee or council decision due to the financial implications.

Simpler Recycling Information Sheet The Community Services Environment Manager responded to questions regarding subsidised bulky waste collections for residents in receipt of benefits, stating that a committee/council decision would be required. Councillor Sarah Canning suggested that causes should be included in this exercise. It was noted that some local authorities were challenging statutory guidance regarding the frequency of collections being fortnightly. A report exploring small electrical recycling at the kerbside was scheduled to be presented to the committee in December.

Air Quality Information Sheet An update was provided, and the Strategic Director of Place announced that an Air Quality Strategy would be presented to the committee in January.

Work Programme

The committee noted its Work Programme. Councillor Tricia Watson requested an update on single-use plastics in SDC buildings and events, to which the Chair suggested a workshop would be more appropriate. Councillor Steve Hynd asked if this could be undertaken with the Community Services and Licensing Committee. Councillor Sarah Canning inquired whether an update on Extended Producer Responsibility³ would be beneficial to add, and the Chair advised that an information sheet might be more suitable given the time sensitivities.