Gloucester City Council

The cabinet discussed a mix of regeneration, planning and financial recovery items. Key decisions included progressing the Wessex House housing site with up to £300,000 for planning work, commissioning external advice for the potential disposal of Eastern Avenue land and buildings, and approving planning-related guidance and validation changes to speed up applications. Members also noted the expansion of the HMO/enforcement team, progress on the corporate plan, and adoption of the open spaces strategy and shopfront guidance for consultation.

The committee approved a 6% increase in street trading fees for 2026/27 to recover service costs, following a review that found current fees were no longer sufficient. Members also approved a draft statement of licensing policy for consultation after a full council amendment. In the quarterly licensing update, officers reported pressure from rising taxi and vehicle applications, digital process improvements to manage workload, and limited enforcement activity including two prosecutions for unlicensed drivers.

The meeting focused on two major property-led regeneration and asset-management decisions. First, Wessex House was discussed as a housing-led redevelopment requiring up to £300,000 for specialist planning work, with an expected disposal to a developer once planning consent is secured and a minimum 40% affordable housing requirement attached to brownfield grant conditions. Second, Eastern Avenue was presented as a preparatory feasibility exercise to test disposal, contamination, tenant/lease issues and market value, especially because of the Ubico depot and wider financial recovery pressures. Members also pushed for stakeholder engagement, social housing priority, and careful protection of current uses and long-term council interests.

The Gloucester City Council Annual Meeting discusses (1) the ceremonial election of the Mayor and Sheriff, and (2) a major policy item on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and a possible community governance review to create a parish council or charter trustees. The council plans a two-round public consultation with tight government deadlines to decide future governance structures, while stressing the need to protect civic offices and ensure inclusive engagement. There are notable spending and financial pressures discussed, including a £14.5m government bailout linked to the broader financial context, and ongoing concerns about costs to residents if a parish-style precept were introduced. The meeting also cites IT improvements in licensing as an example of public sector procurement activity. Key procurement-relevant items include: (a) initiating a public consultation process (procurement of outreach and engagement services), (b) potential future ICT/consultation procurement for civic services, and (c) ongoing licensing system online enhancements.

Cabinet focused on asset management reform, disposal of long-vacant dockside warehouses, a VAT-driven change to the leisure centre operating model, and additional funding to progress Bakers Quay regeneration. Members also discussed historic project costs, the cyber incident cost, and occupancy plans for the Forum. The meeting highlighted financial recovery, income generation, and better use of council assets as recurring themes.

Gloucester City Planning Committee discussed affordable housing provision (Linton Fields) and related Section 106 funding, including infrastructure improvements (bus stop upgrade at McCone Drive with RTPI, pedestrian/cycle connections, kissing-gate upgrade) and biodiversity considerations. A separate Section 106 governance update confirmed money is being monitored with no current refunds anticipated, and ongoing spend on maintenance via Ubico and other partnerships. The meeting also reviewed individual applications (Wheatridge and Payswick Road) with emphasis on access, privacy, and on-site/off-site requirements. Key policy points included notification rules under the General Development Procedure Order and housing policy tensions between 100% affordable schemes and national guidance (NPPF).