The Environment Committee of Stroud Council met on Thursday 6 March 2025 to discuss the council's work programme for the upcoming year, review budget monitoring, and consider various environmental initiatives. Key topics included the bulky waste concessionary scheme, performance monitoring, and updates from several external bodies and partnerships.

Work Programme 2025-26

The committee was scheduled to review its work programme for the 2025-26 period. This included updates on the Local Development Scheme, appointments to performance monitoring and outside bodies, and a series of member/officer reports. Future discussions were planned on topics such as the Strategic Planning Advisory Board, performance monitoring, Climate Leadership Gloucestershire, and walking and cycling updates. The committee was also set to consider budget monitoring for the first quarter of the financial year, along with revenue estimates and Community Infrastructure Levy spending allocations.

Environment Committee Budget Monitoring Q3 2024-25

A report was presented detailing the Environment Committee's budget monitoring for the third quarter of the 2024-25 financial year. This report aimed to provide an expectation of possible variances against the revenue budgets and Capital Programme for which the committee is responsible. The monitoring position as at 31 December 2024 indicated a projected net revenue underspend of £473,000 against the latest budget. The capital programme showed a forecast spend of £9.391 million against a revised budget of £9.131 million. Detailed breakdowns of revenue and capital expenditure were included in the report.

Bulky Waste Concessionary Scheme

The committee was scheduled to review options and make a recommendation for improving access to bulky waste collections for those in most need. The report highlighted that bulky waste collections currently cost £25 for the first three items and £5 for each additional item. It noted that fly-tipping of bulky waste items, particularly white goods, is a significant issue, and that offering a concessionary rate to residents in receipt of certain benefits could potentially improve the street scene and shift resource needs from reactive to planned interventions. Options considered included concessionary rates similar to those offered by Gloucester City Council, Swindon Borough Council, and Torridge District Council. A trial was proposed to assess the impact of improved access for those in need.

Member/Officer Reports

A series of reports from various bodies and initiatives were scheduled for discussion:

• Strategic Planning Advisory Board: A verbal report was anticipated.
• Stroud Town Council Regeneration Working Group: An update was provided on various regeneration initiatives in Stroud town centre, including progress on the Merrywalks interchange hub, town centre toilets, car park improvements, and the Rodborough Cycle Path. Discussions also covered the impact of coaches on Cainscross Road and proposals for traffic surveys.
• Performance Monitoring Q3: A comprehensive report was presented detailing the performance of the Environment Committee against its key performance indicators for the third quarter of 2024-25. This report covered progress on various council plan actions related to climate and nature, biodiversity, flood management, green spaces, net-zero buildings, active travel, electric vehicle charging points, waste reduction, and renewable energy generation.
• Climate Leadership Gloucestershire: A verbal report was expected.
• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Information Sheet: This information sheet explained the concept of Biodiversity Net Gain, a requirement for new developments to leave biodiversity in a better state than before. It detailed when BNG is used, its aims and objectives, how it works, and its application within Stroud District. The sheet noted that while BNG has been integrated into the planning system, the number of applications where it has been applicable to date has been low, with many applications finding exemptions.
• Joint Berkeley/Oldbury Site Stakeholder Group: A report was provided on the decommissioning progress at the Berkeley and Oldbury nuclear power stations. Updates covered waste retrieval, packaging, and transportation, as well as community engagement initiatives and regulatory oversight from the Office for Nuclear Regulation and the Environment Agency. The report also touched upon proposals for small modular reactors at the Oldbury site.
• Stroud Valleys Canal Company: Discussions were ongoing regarding the future governance structure for the Stroud Valleys Canal Company (SVCC), with a proposal to establish a working group. An update was given on a pollution incident involving an SVCC vessel and ongoing discussions about moorings and landing stages. The company was also considering guidelines for scattering ashes and assessing options for the disposal of silt from dredgings. A commitment of £1 million from Stroud District Council's budget for 2025-26 towards a lottery funding bid for Phase 1b of the canal project was welcomed.
• Natural Flood Management: An update was provided on natural flood management interventions and habitat restoration over the past year. Discussions included county-level projects in the Stroud area and the securing of funding for the Wilder Frome Project. The importance of good practice in materials for natural flood management was also highlighted.
• Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board: The report detailed the board's activities, focusing on land drainage, flood risk management, and surface water management. It highlighted the ongoing upgrade of pumps at their pumping stations to meet environmental legislation and the progress on reconstructing pump stations at Wicks Green and Oldbury.
• Cotswold National Landscape: The board approved its Management Plan for 2025-2030 and the budget for 2025-26. The report noted the plan's alignment with the council's priorities and the statutory duty to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It also discussed the implications of the new National Planning Policy Framework and presented technical lighting design guidance aimed at reducing light pollution.

Work Programme

The committee was also scheduled to consider its Work Programme, which outlines planned discussions and reports for future meetings. This included items such as the Local Plan Modifications, the final Randwick Conservation Area Appraisal, and the Bisley Neighbourhood Development Plan. Information evenings on topics like Single Use Plastics were also noted.