Gloucestershire County Council was scheduled to discuss a range of topics at its meeting. These included motions on violence against women and girls, the future of Thames Water, grass cutting in Tewkesbury, flying the St George flag, speed limits, support for adopted children, and knife crime. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the council's corporate parenting responsibilities, a timeline for developing the council's strategy for 2025-29, and a number of scrutiny reports.

Motions

The council was scheduled to discuss a number of motions.

Violence Against Women and Girls

Councillor Alastair Chambers was scheduled to propose a motion for a countywide commitment to reducing violence, abuse, and exploitation of women and girls. The motion stated that the council:

stands united in its commitment to the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of women and girls across Gloucestershire.

The motion called for the council to work with the Gloucestershire Women's Safety Initiative, local district councils, Gloucestershire Constabulary, the Police and Crime Commissioner, the NHS Integrated Care Board, and specialist voluntary organisations to develop a joined-up approach. It also proposed commissioning a review of services for victims and survivors, supporting public education campaigns, encouraging the rollout of Safe Spaces and StreetSafe schemes, supporting preventative work in schools, calling on the Police and Crime Commissioner to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls, and ensuring the council continues to be a trauma-informed and survivor-focused organisation.

Thames Water

Councillor Chloe Turner was scheduled to propose a motion noting that Thames Water, the UK's largest water company, is on the brink and calling for a review of the case for nationalisation of Thames Water and the wider UK water industry. The motion also proposed that, if a change in ownership continues to be pursued, the council should use its membership bodies to call on DEFRA¹ and the government to convene a coalition from across the Thames Region to scrutinise any proposed bidders, and to push for a transparent, democratic process.

Other Motions

Other motions that were scheduled to be discussed included:

• A motion from Councillor Vernon Smith asking the council to write to Tewkesbury Borough Council asking them to reconsider their current grass cutting programme.
• A motion from Councillor Piers Camp proposing that the council flies the flag of Saint George alongside the Union flag during April.
• A motion from Councillor Michael Rees proposing that the council freeze all speed limits and direct all funding being used for this purpose to road resurfacing and footways.
• A motion from Councillor Richard Stanley in support of adopted children and the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF).
• A motion from Councillor Alastair Chambers on tackling knife crime through partnership and prevention.

Corporate Parenting

Councillor Ben Evans, Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding & Care, was scheduled to present a report updating the council on corporate parenting activity. The report noted that all county councillors are corporate parents, and that the Gloucestershire Corporate Parenting Group is made up of key representatives, including elected members with relevant responsibilities.

The report also provided an update on inspection activity and feedback from the National Adviser, Mark Riddell MBE, and highlighted the work of Ambassadors (social care experienced young people, employed to support voice, participation and co-production).

The report included performance data for children in care and care leavers. At the end of Quarter 4, there were 759 children in care, 10% lower than the same time a year ago. The report noted that the number of children in care has been reducing from the peak of 885 children at the end of October 2023.

Council Strategy 2025-29 Timeline

Councillor Lisa Spivey, Leader of the Council, was scheduled to advise that the cabinet has begun work on a new council strategy, and to advise the council of the timeline. The draft strategy was scheduled to be brought to the council for discussion and approval on 12 November 2025.

Scrutiny and Working Group Update

Councillor Gary Luff, Chair Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was scheduled to provide an update on the latest scrutiny activity. This included updates from the Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee, the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee, the Environment Scrutiny Committee, the Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee, the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Gloucestershire Economic Strategy Scrutiny, and the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Panel.

Constitution Committee Report

Councillor Colin Hay, Chair of Constitution Committee, was scheduled to present a report updating the council on the recent Constitution Committee meeting and bringing forward recommendations for the council's consideration.

The recommendations included changes to the order of agenda for ordinary council meetings, limiting the number of supplementary questions that can be asked by members of the public, changing the way in which the order of motions is determined, and reducing the membership of Environment Scrutiny Committee to nine.

Honorary Aldermen/Alderwomen

The council was scheduled to confer the title of Honorary Alderman/Alderwomen on the following former councillors: Tim Harman, Mark Hawthorne, Graham Morgan, Alan Preest, Lynden Stowe, Brian Tipper, Pam Tracey, Rob Vines, and Kathy Williams.