Published: 2 February 2026
January 2026_GCC Parishes report (Printable version)
Gloucestershire County Parishes Report – Dec 2025/ Jan 2026
County News
Gloucestershire County Council signals support for single unitary proposal
A vote taken at November’s Full Council meeting marked a major step towards the biggest change in local government for more than 50 years, as the County Council voted to support the single unitary option of LGR. This decision was ratified at Cabinet. The other Gloucestershire Councils held similar votes, with a joint submission sent to Government on November 28th.
Liberal Democrats unveil council strategy at this month’s council meeting
Also at this month’s Full Council meeting, the Liberal Democrats launched their council strategy for 2025–2029. The Green Group voted to support the strategy while promising to push for greater ambition on the environment and social justice.
Liberal Democrats reveal proposed county budget for 2026/27
Proposed multi-million-pound spending plans for 2026/27 have been released, ahead of a meeting of Cabinet in December. The Green Group are currently undertaking work on a series of amendments to the budget to ensure it meets green priorities.
County council set to back next phase of Mass Rapid Transit development and delivery
Gloucestershire County Council is set to approve the next stage of work to develop a business case and early delivery steps for a new Mass Rapid Transit system in Gloucestershire.
Call for carers to share their views – National Survey 2025
Gloucestershire County Council is inviting carers to take part in the 2025 national survey of adult carers in England. Surveys have now been sent out to a random sample of around 1,000 carers across Gloucestershire, giving them the opportunity to share their experiences and help shape future support.
Staff recognised for achievements at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service awards evenings
Ceremonies to celebrate the achievements and long service of staff at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) have been held at The Stonehouse Court Hotel.
New report highlights key risks to county from climate change
Gloucestershire County Council has been assessing the risk of climate change to the county, in partnership with Climate Leadership Gloucestershire.
Fair Funding Review Update
On Wednesday, 17 December, councils received the outcome of the fair funding review with the publishing of a three-year financial settlement for Local Government. The outcome for Gloucestershire is less favourable than hoped, however this year’s settlement is more complex due to a new formula and the fact that it includes many, previously separate, grants. Officers are currently working through the numbers to ensure we thoroughly understand the implications. It is likely that the final settlement will require £10m of additional savings for each of the next three years.
Gloucestershire County Council launches new strategy to tackle domestic abuse
On Monday 8 December, Gloucestershire County Council launched its new three-year strategy to tackle domestic abuse and make the county a place where everyone can live free from abuse and harm.
County Council shows solidarity with Ukraine
Gloucestershire County Council has signed an agreement with a region of Ukraine to provide support and share the expertise the county has in a number of areas.
Gloucestershire County Council celebrates top national endorsement for active travel ambitions
Gloucestershire County Council has been awarded the Level 3 rating by Active Travel England (ATE), recognising the county as one of England’s highest performing authorities for active travel. It is the only predominantly rural council to achieve this milestone.
Have your say on Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service’s Community Risk Management Plan
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) is asking residents to help shape its future by sharing views on its new draft Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP).
Important message for bird keepers
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in a large commercial poultry flock near Brockworth, Gloucestershire on 18 December 2025 by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
Neighbourhood Fund
The Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund scheme is continuing to seek applications from eligible groups. The scheme delivers funding to community initiatives seeking to make a positive impact on health and wellbeing, access to nature, digital inclusion, community cohesion, and reducing inequalities. Each Councillor is allocated £20,000 to support projects in their division.
More information about the new scheme is available on the dedicated webpage. Guidance for how to apply is available here.
GCC Meetings
Full Council
November saw a historic meeting of the Full County Council as councillors voted on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation. Members from the Green Group voiced their concerns that the reorganisation was undemocratic, threat to local representative democracy and created high costs for the Council before deciding which of the two options on the table – one or two unitary authorities – offered the least-worst option.
Six members of the group voted for the one-unitary option. Three of the group abstained from the vote, saying neither of the options would benefit residents and that ‘none of the above’ should have been included as a third option.
Cllr Chloe Turner speaking at the LGR debate
In addition to the LGR debate, the Liberal Democrats presented their council strategy (see above) and three motions were debated. The Green Groups motion to better incorporate the views and needs of young people in decision-making was passed with unanimous support.
A Reform motion to “improve transparency, responsiveness, and equity in highways service” was passed following an amendment from the Liberal Democrats while a Green amendment to the Conservative-proposed motion on the reform of agricultural inheritance tax was referred to scrutiny. The amendment sought to protect genuine family farmers while ensuring wealthy landowners pay their fair share.
Cllr Craig Horrocks speaking for the motion
The full recording of the meeting can be viewed here.
Cabinet
This month’s GCC meeting of the Cabinet ratified the decision of Full Council on LGR (see above). During the meeting, Cabinet also approved:
- The Council Strategy
- Continued funding of the development of a mass rapid transit business case for Gloucestershire.
- To delegate authority to procure a Framework Agreement and call-off of contracts related to the provision of behaviour change interventions for perpetrators of domestic abuse, i.e. the service known as Positive Relationships Gloucestershire (PRG).
- To procure a contract for the provision of public notices advertising services.
- To delegate to authority to award contracts for the supply of Microsoft Surface laptops for GCC staff.
- The adoption of the Gloucestershire County Council Planning Performance Agreements Charter
- Continued participation in Adoption West (AW).
- Extension to the term of the council’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)/SAP Implementation Programme.
A recording of the meeting can be viewed here.
Also help this month were meetings of the Environment Scrutiny Committee, Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee; Adult, Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee, Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee, Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee, Health and Wellbeing Board, plus the Police and Crime Panel and Planning Committee.
There was a meeting of Cabinet held on the 3rd December, during which the draft budget document was approved for consultation and scrutiny. Other decisions taken included:
- Approval of Finance, Risk and Monitoring Report;
- Acceptance of a grant from the Department for Education and procurement of a contract for the continued supply and delivery of the Holiday Activity and Food programme.
- To delegate extension of Household Recycling Centre contract and procurement of minor frameworks for servicing, maintenance, repair and capital works to relevant officers
- Agreement of extensions to purchasing arrangements for the provision of residential care for children and young people and to the existing South West Fostering Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) agreement for the provision of foster care for children and young people.
- Approval of the continued use of Wheatridge Court for the provision of short-term accommodation-based housing related support to refugees granted Leave to Remain.
In addition, meetings we held of the Commons and Rights of Way Committee, Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Pension Committee.
Full recordings of all meetings can be found here.
Roads
Please continue to use and promote the use of FixMyStreet to report issues on the roads.
An additional £15million has been allocated to improve Gloucestershire’s road although this has been partly funded by a reduction in the highways local fund from £30,000 to £10,000 per County Councillor.
Greener Gloucestershire News
Don’t forget to ask the Waste Wizard 🧙♂️🪄
Christmas usually creates a lot of waste and items to dispose of. If you’re not sure if something can be recycled, or what the best way to dispose of it is, use our waste wizard tool. The wizard will search to find the most sustainable way for you to repair, reuse, recycle or dispose of your household items.
Get composting for 2026🌷
Considering making your own compost for your New Year’s resolution? Make the most of our discounted compost bins! 🎉
Composting at home can help you save money, reduce your carbon emissions, learn about nature and reduce the amount of waste you produce. There is nothing more satisfying than using your home made compost to grow your own vegetables and flowers. See recycling in action in your own garden or home🥕🌼🥦
Gloucestershire residents are able to get £15 off any compost bin on the Get Composting website.
Future-proof your skills – join local experts at our free heat pump demo🔥
Do you install heating or plumbing? Find out more about installing heat pumps from our panel of experts on Wednesday 4 February 2026.
- Join us from 4pm for talks from our heat pump experts. There will then be a chance to talk to our experts and grab a drink from the brewery.
- See a working heat pump and talk to an installer about the business
- Hear from NESTA about a free heat pump for your own home Start at home for newly trained heat pump installers | Nesta
👉For full details, visit our webpage.
Please note this event is for tradespeople only, please email glosclimate@gloucestershire.gov.uk if you are unsure if you are eligible to attend.
SGS College are pleased to be running the following course at the end of January
This in-demand qualification is designed to equip experienced electricians with the knowledge and skills needed to install, commission, maintain, and inspect solar PV systems.
👉LCL Awards Installation and Maintenance of Small Scale Solar PV Systems (Level 3 Installation of Small Scale Solar PV Systems – LCL Awards).
Taking place at SGS GREEN on 28-30 January 2026, the course provides a mixture of theory and practical to give learners the knowledge, skills and confidence to install and maintain small scale solar PV systems.
Learners must hold the required qualifications to be eligible, and there are funding options available. Please help us spread the word📣