The Cabinet of Cotswold Council met on Thursday 10 July 2025. Key decisions included approving the Creative Cotswolds action plan as the Council's approach to supporting the district's cultural sector, endorsing the findings of the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Planning Service Peer Challenge report and agreeing to the resultant Action Plan for implementation, and recommending to Council the merging of two ongoing Local Plan projects into a single comprehensive Full Local Plan Update. Cabinet also amended the HMO Licence Fees, with new fees applying from 1 September 2025, and approved an increase in the HMO licence period from 3 years to 5 years. Cabinet noted the Council's progress against its net zero target, which has seen a 41% reduction in emissions against the 1990 baseline, and agreed to the creation of a Corporate Climate Change Board to provide accountability for an emissions reduction programme. Cabinet also noted the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review, the Service Performance Report 2024-25 Quarter 4, and the Financial Performance Report 2024-25 Quarter 4.

Achieving Corporate Net Zero

Cabinet noted the Council's progress against its net zero target and the actions required to close the emissions performance gap. Cabinet agreed to the creation of a Corporate Climate Change Board to provide accountability for an emissions reduction programme. Key actions to close the performance gap include decarbonising the waste fleet, council-owned buildings, and reducing non-waste-fleet vehicle emissions. Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the item, and the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Evemy and seconded by Councillor Tristan Wilkinson.

Creative Cotswolds Action Plan - Culture Strategy

Cabinet approved Creative Cotswolds as the Council's approach to supporting the district's cultural sector. This initiative aims to bring together cultural organisations to foster collaboration on events, promotion, and expanding the sector's reach and impact. Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, Cabinet Member for Health, Culture, and Visitor Experience, introduced the report, and the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Hodgkinson and seconded by Councillor Juliet Layton.

LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Progress Review

Cabinet noted the report on the progress made following the Local Government Association's Corporate Peer Challenge.

Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Peer Review and Action Plan

Cabinet welcomed the PAS Planning Service Peer Challenge Report (May 2025) and its recommendations and agreed the resultant Action Plan for implementation. Cabinet also agreed to publish the report and the accompanying Action Plan on the Council's Planning and Building web pages. Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the item, and the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Layton and seconded by Councillor Evemy.

Local Plan Update

Cabinet recommended to Council the merging of two ongoing Local Plan projects – the partial update of the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan (2011-2031) and the Development Strategy and Site Allocations Plan – into a single comprehensive Full Local Plan Update, with a view to submission in 2026 and adoption in 2027. Subject to Council approval, Cabinet also resolved to update the Council's Community Infrastructure Levy in parallel with the Local Plan process, invest in additional resources to accelerate Local Plan delivery, confirm the Local Plan as a Council priority, and establish a Local Plan Oversight Board with new Terms of Reference. Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the item. The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Layton and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.

Licenced HMO fee policy and HMO Amenity Standards policy

Cabinet amended the HMO Licence Fees and approved an increase in the HMO licence period from 3 years to 5 years. New fees will apply from 1 September 2025. Councillor Andrea Pellegram, Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory Services, introduced the report, and the recommendations were proposed by Councillor Pellegram and seconded by Councillor Patrick Coleman.

Service Performance Report 2024-25 Quarter 4

Cabinet noted the report providing an update on the Council's priorities and service performance for the fourth quarter of 2024-25 (January to March 2025). Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the report.

Financial Performance Report 2024-25 Quarter 4

Cabinet noted the outturn financial position for the 2024-25 financial year. Cabinet approved the transfer of the surplus to the Transformation Reserve and approved the transfer to and from reserves as detailed in the report. Cabinet also approved the carry forward of unspent capital budget into the 2025/26 Capital Programme. Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy. Cabinet also noted the Non-treasury Prudential Indicators and changes in provisions.