Here is a summary of the items scheduled for discussion at the upcoming Council meeting. The meeting will cover a range of topics, including the annual State of the District report, motions regarding funding for neighbourhood development plans and housing reallocation, and a discussion on the council's five-year housing land supply. Councillors will also have the opportunity to ask questions of the Leader of the Council.

State of the District

The council will be considering the annual State of the District report. The report summarises the past year's events and outlines future proposals, also providing information on the district's current economic, social, and environmental profile. Councillor Susan Juned, Leader of the Council, will present the report.

The report includes key facts such as:

• A mid-2024 population estimate of 146,258.
• A median age of 47.7 years.
• A population density of 150 people per km².

The report also notes that the population of Stratford-on-Avon District is estimated to have increased by 19.74% between 2014 and 2024.

The report also covers housing, noting that the median house price for the District was £350,000 in the year to end-September 2024. It also notes that approximately 2,287 dwellings were thought to be vacant across the District in October 2024. A total net of 1,011 new dwellings was added to the housing stock in 2023/24.

The report also provides data on crime, employment, qualifications, business and the economy, and health. It also covers poverty and the cost of living, noting that 14.9% of households in the District were in fuel poverty¹ according to the latest data for 2023.

The report also lists a number of achievements and key events during 2024/25, including:

• Stratford-on-Avon District Council celebrating 50 years.
• Stratford-upon-Avon College Automotive EV Centre receiving a UKSPF² Direct Award of £625,000.
• SDC securing £1.5 million in grant funding for Voluntary and Community Groups.
• The re-opening of The Lost Pug Pub in Northend after receiving a £50,000 grant from the Rural England Prosperity Fund.
• Solar panels being installed on Stratford Leisure Centre.
• New community noticeboards being installed in response to residents' feedback in Bishopton and Clopton.
• New Public Space CCTV cameras launched at Meon Vale.

The report also identifies key issues and targets for the council.

Funding of Neighbourhood Development Plans

Councillor Malcolm Littlewood and Councillor Anne Parry have proposed a motion to allocate £250,000 to support communities creating and updating Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP). The motion notes that central government has withdrawn financial support for NDPs.

According to the motion:

Changes in Government Policy has increased the demand for housing within the District and reduced the apparent Five-Year Housing Land Stock. Of the 29 NDP's made, 15 are between 5 and 10 years old. The earliest NDP was made in 2016 and the latest in 2024.

The motion also notes that the Stratford District Council Core Strategy is to be replaced by the emerging South Warwickshire Local Plan (SWLP). The motion asserts that the time to modify and update a redraft of NDP's is now because:

• Wants & Needs of communities change and evolve.
• Local Housing Needs change.
• Local Government Reform will make local communities more remote from decision makers.

The motion states that the costs involved in revising NDPs will include professional consultancy costs, community consulting costs, and the cost of referenda.

According to Council Procedure Rules, Councillor Kate Rolfe, Chair of the Council, will report that the motion, once proposed and seconded, will be referred to The Cabinet for consideration and report without debate.

Support re-allocation of some new housing from Stratford-on-Avon District to Coventry

Councillor Dave Passingham and Councillor Olivia Hatch have proposed a motion to support the reallocation of some new housing from Stratford-on-Avon District to Coventry.

The motion notes that the housing target for Warwick and Stratford Districts was greatly increased by the new Government target, but at the same time the target for Coventry was cut by 55%. The motion recognises that the increase in the housing target for South Warwickshire has meant that the housing supply has fallen below the 5-year requirement and that the new annual housing targets result in a greater reduction for Coventry than the increased target for Warwick and Stratford Districts combined.

The motion resolves that Stratford District Council seeks to undertake negotiations with Coventry City Council about allocation of housing numbers in the Coventry & Warwickshire sub-region with the aim of making best use of urban and brownfield land, and land in the Green Belt, and reducing the housing requirement in the South Warwickshire Plan area.

According to Council Procedure Rules, Councillor Kate Rolfe, Chair of the Council, will report that the motion, once proposed and seconded, will be referred to The Cabinet for consideration and report without debate.

Transfer of Public Open Spaces to Private Owners

Councillor Letty Petrovic and Councillor Daren Pemberton have proposed a motion regarding the transfer of public open spaces to private owners.

The motion references SPD Part L, adopted in April 2024, which established the council's preferred position that public open spaces, play areas, and other 'public assets' created through new development should, wherever possible, be transferred into the ownership of either Stratford-on-Avon District Council or the relevant Town or Parish Council upon completion.

The motion also references a member Task and Finish Group (T&F) established to assess how existing assets are managed by private companies.

The motion calls for the following principles to be applied in all future cases of public open space management or other public asset transfer:

1. Maintenance Clarity: That with any change of ownership of public open space or other public asset, there must be clear, accessible information for residents about who is responsible for future maintenance of the land.
2. Charging Clarity: That where charges are levied on property owners, there must be transparency about who will issue invoices, the basis on which costs are calculated, and the standards of service that will be delivered.
3. Contractual clarity: That there is a mechanism whereby residents existing contractual rights are transferred to the new owner, including a private individual, to ensure that the planning obligations in the S.106 agreement³ are adhered to and can be enforced by the residents and/or SDC as appropriate.
4. Future Policy Alignment: That these principles are embedded into future Section 106 agreements and applied to any new transfer of management arrangements, alongside the Council's stated policy position in SPD Part L, to ensure residents' interests are protected and expectations are clear through the continuance of obligations under the S.106 agreement.

According to Council Procedure Rules, Councillor Kate Rolfe, Chair of the Council, will report that the motion, once proposed and seconded, will be referred to The Cabinet for consideration and report without debate.

5 Year Housing Land Supply

Councillor Daren Pemberton and Councillor Malcolm Littlewood have proposed a motion regarding the council's five-year housing land supply.

The motion notes that the recent appeal decision for Bordon Hill means that the council can no longer demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply.

The motion calls upon all elected members to engage with their communities now and on an ongoing basis to ensure they understand the implications of the appeal decision.

Councillor Kate Rolfe, Chair of the Council, will report that the Motion will be debated at the meeting.

Scrutiny Protocol and Stratford Southbound Rail Link

The council will be considering recommendations from The Cabinet regarding a Scrutiny Protocol and support for reinstating the Stratford Southbound Rail Link. Agenda papers can be viewed on the council's website.

Councillor Questions and Questions to the Leader

Councillors will have the opportunity to submit questions to other councillors, and to ask questions of Councillor Susan Juned, Leader of the Council.

Other Items

The agenda also includes items such as apologies for absence, disclosures of interest, confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting, announcements, public participation, and urgent business.