The Cabinet of Gloucestershire Council met on Wednesday 22 April 2026 to discuss and approve several key initiatives aimed at strengthening the council's future. Significant decisions included the approval of the Stronger Futures programme, the adoption of Gloucestershire's Local Growth Plan, and the closure of Great Western Court Reablement Unit.

Creating a Stronger Future (Stronger Futures ) - Approval of Full Business Case and Investment

Cabinet approved the Stronger Futures Full Business Case and an upfront investment of £3.4 million to launch a council-wide transformation programme. This initiative aims to improve financial resilience, accelerate digital enablement, and prepare the council for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) by 2028. The programme will focus on three priority areas: Technology (including digital and artificial intelligence), Third Party Spend, and Organisational Design, Pay and Reward. The investment, funded from transformation and digital reserves, is intended to deliver evidenced and validated savings, with the initial budgeted savings from the general AI rollout estimated at £7 million by April 2028. Further savings opportunities of up to £5.18 million are also anticipated from targeted AI and strengthened third-party spend controls, which will only be banked once delivery is evidenced and validated by Finance. Cabinet also delegated authority for procurement processes related to the Technology and Organisational Development workstreams.

Local Growth Plan

Gloucestershire's Local Growth Plan (2025–2035) was adopted by Cabinet. This plan, co-created by all seven local authorities in Gloucestershire, outlines priorities for sustainable and inclusive economic growth over the next decade. It supersedes the previous Gloucestershire County Council Economic Strategy (2024–2034) and will be updated as Gloucestershire progresses through Local Government Reorganisation and potential devolution. The plan is structured around five core economic missions: Talent and Future Skills, Employment and Health for People and Places, Thriving Communities and Culture, Environment, Housing and Infrastructure, and Innovation, Investment and Enterprise. It also identifies high-growth sectors for the county, including Secure Technologies and Digital, Agri-Tech, Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing, and Energy Transition and Low Carbon Innovation. Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director for Economy, Environment and Infrastructure to make minor updates to the plan.

To model and review the service options for Great Western Court Reablement Unit

Cabinet approved the closure of Great Western Court (GWC), a bed-based reablement service, and declared the site surplus to the council's requirements. This decision aligns with the Adult Social Care Prevention Strategy and the revised Target Operating Model, which prioritises home-based reablement and prevention services. The closure is due to GWC no longer meeting the clinical or operational requirements for modern reablement models, with the Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board confirming they would not commission nursing support at the unit. The staffing budget and resources will be reinvested into home-based services. The estimated cost for staff redundancy and pension strain is £910,000, though redeployment will be sought to mitigate this. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director – Asset Management and Property Services to dispose of the site.

Cotswold Canal Trust Stroudwater Canal Restoration (Walk Bridge Scheme)

Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, to approve a £1 million capital contribution towards the design and construction of a replacement highway structure at Walk Bridge. This is a critical element of the Stroudwater Canal restoration project, which aims to reconnect the canal and support active travel, regeneration, and environmental benefits. The council's role in the project's planning, design, and construction stages will be determined, with the £1 million contribution capped and subject to legally binding agreements and the full project budget being secured.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan 2026-2030

Cabinet approved and resolved to publish the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service's Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2026-2030. This plan, a statutory requirement, outlines how the Service will allocate resources and implement strategies to mitigate identified risks effectively, informed by comprehensive risk assessments and public consultation. The plan addresses key risks including flooding, dwelling fires, road traffic collisions, and hazardous materials incidents, and sets out aims and objectives for the next four years, focusing on workforce development, modernising rural response, adapting skills and assets, becoming a greener service, and achieving outstanding assessments.

The meeting also included discussions on the Local Growth Plan, with Cabinet adopting the plan and delegating authority for minor updates. Other items discussed included the approval of the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan 2026-2030, and the decision to close Great Western Court Reablement Unit.