Social Value Ideas for Tewkesbury Borough Council

New NPPF boosts renewables

Officers told members that the new National Planning Policy Framework had been published the previous day and now places substantial weight in favour of renewable energy development. This changed poli…

“The new National Planning Policy framework was published yesterday and so we've provided an update on the main policies in relation to this applicatio…”

Best farmland loss contested

The application created clear tension over the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land. The parish council said 78.8% of the site was Grade 2 and Grade 3A and argued recent drought and food …

“We strongly oppose this application on the following five grounds. First, loss of best and most versatile farmland. 46 % of the land is Grade 2 and a …”

Red Cross Centre Link Road Residential Conversion

Planning permission granted for conversion of Red Cross Centre from commercial use to residential (2-bedroom dwelling) with associated operational works including fenestration alterations, external wa…

“The proposal seeks to retain existing building and convert it to two bedroom dwelling with alterations to the fenestration external walling and roofin…”

Pheasant House Three Dwelling Development PIP

Permission in Principle granted for erection of up to three dwellings at Pheasant House, Gloucester Road, Staverton. Site located within Green Belt but classified as grey belt land meeting MPPF paragr…

“The decision therefore falls under the national policy and the tilted balance meaning permission should be granted unless the adverse impacts would si…”

Q2 Budget Surplus Achieved

Quarter 2 shows overall surplus of £902,000 (£773k after ring-fenced transfers). Key variances include housing benefit costs £82k underspend, planning employee costs £83k overspend (fully funded throu…

“Overall as you can see really positive, £902,000 surplus and that's £773 after we've transferred ring fence funding to reserve”

PWRB Loan Early Repayment Generates £4.9m Discount

Council repaid £11m PWRB long-term loan early (originally due to mature April 2058 at 2.35% interest). Early repayment generated £4.9m discount. Accounting recognition spread over 10 years: £498k this…

“We had it at 2.35% and it was due to mature April 2058. Now what the PWRB do is if you – because their interest rates are higher, they will give us a …”

Q1 2025 Revenue Budget Surplus

Quarter 1 2025 shows strong financial performance with a £602,000 revenue surplus and £500,000 surplus after ring-fenced funding transfers. Main positive variances include IT Digital & Cyber savings o…

“The services overall are 335 kender budget. Main positive variances, there's a lot of savings. There's a lot of vacancies in the first quarter where s…”

Pay award cost pressure

The annual pay policy discussion identified a live national pay award negotiation. The current offer is 3.3%, but unions are seeking at least 10% or £3,000, with officers warning that any higher award…

“On the Council's behalf, on all Council's behalf, the LGA offered a 3 .3 % pay increase starting 1st April 2026. For our lowest paid staff this repres…”

Senior Officer Procurement Without Formal Exercise

The external auditor identified that a senior officer earning over £150k threshold was appointed without a formal procurement exercise. This was identified during value for money work on senior office…

“there was an individual who had been paid over 150K, which is the threshold set out in the CIPFA code”