Issue - meetings
Notice of Motions
Meeting: 15/07/2026 - Council (Item 120)
Notice of Motion
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12, the following Motion has been received:
Motion 2026/004
Improving Maternity Services across Gloucestershire
Proposed by Cllr Laura Hall-Wilson
Seconded by Cllr Dilys Neil
Two reports have recently been published highlighting failures in maternity care in the UK, the Ockenden maternity review and the independent report led by Baroness Amos. The latter included findings and recommendations that specifically relate to Gloucestershire, highlighting the importance of sustained leadership and collaborative action to improve services and restore public confidence.
Safe, accessible and high-quality maternity services are essential for the health and wellbeing of women, babies and families across Gloucestershire.
Residents of the Cotswold District have experienced concern regarding the availability and resilience of maternity services within the county.
The continued limitations on services at Stroud Maternity Unit and for Home Births have reduced the range of birth choices available to families in the Cotswold District and increased pressure on other maternity units across Gloucestershire.
While responsibility for commissioning and delivering maternity services rests primarily with the NHS, local authorities have an important leadership, convening and scrutiny role in championing the interests of residents and supporting improvements to public health.
That Full Council resolves to:
1 Agree that every family should have access to safe, high-quality maternity care and genuine choice over where and how they give birth to improve outcomes for mothers and babies both during labour and postpartum. Restoring confidence in maternity services requires strong partnership working between local government, the NHS and other stakeholders therefore Cotswold District Council should use its influence to ensure that the concerns of residents are clearly communicated to those responsible for planning and delivering maternity services.
2 Request that the Leader meet with the Cabinet Member who leads on Health at Gloucestershire County Council at the earliest opportunity to discuss the current challenges facing maternity services across Gloucestershire and to seek agreement on how both councils can work together to advocate for improvements to maternity provision, including:
o the restoration and development of services at Stroud Maternity Unit;
o action to address workforce shortages, particularly the recruitment and retention of midwives needed to provide safe and reliable home birth services; and
o implementation of the recommendations relevant to Gloucestershire arising from the recent report led by Baroness Amos.
3 Write jointly, where appropriate, to NHS Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Integrated Care Board and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, setting out the concerns of local authorities and seeking clear plans and timescales for improving maternity services.
4 Report back to Full Council on the outcome of these discussions and any actions agreed to support improvements in maternity services for the residents of Gloucestershire.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Chair invited Councillor Laura Hall-Wilson to speak as the proposer of the motion.
Councillor Laura Hall-Wilson introduced the motion and paid tribute to women, babies and families who had experienced trauma, loss or unsafe care during childbirth.
Councillor Hall-Wilson explained that the motion had been prompted by the publication of the Ockenden Maternity Review and the Baroness Amos National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, including findings relating to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Drawing on her own experiences of maternity services and discussions with local mothers and advocacy groups, she highlighted concerns regarding the need for improved triage, greater attention to women's concerns and better communication throughout pregnancy and childbirth.
Councillor Hall-Wilson acknowledged the dedication of maternity staff but emphasised the need for urgent action to address longstanding issues within maternity services. She referred to the importance of reinstating home births, reopening the Aveta birthing unit in Cheltenham, maintaining 24-hour maternity services at Stroud and restoring postnatal beds. She recognised that the Council was not responsible for the provision of maternity services but stated that it had an important role in representing the views of residents and urging NHS leaders to implement the recommendations of the relevant reviews.
The Chair asked if there were any questions for clarity. No questions were raised.
The Chair sought a seconder for the motion. Councillor Dilys Neill seconded the motion and spoke in support of the recommendations. Drawing on her experience as a paediatrician, former GP and member of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, she highlighted the importance of safe and compassionate maternity care and the need for women to feel listened to and supported throughout pregnancy and childbirth. She referred to the pressures facing maternity services, including workforce shortages and reduced provision outside Gloucester Royal Hospital, and emphasised the importance of effective communication between community and hospital services. She welcomed the actions arising from the Ockenden and Amos reports, including improved workforce planning, accountability, safe triage and addressing inequalities and discrimination, and particularly highlighted the need to listen to women and ensure access to second opinions where concerns remained.
The Chair moved to the debate.
The following views were expressed during the debate:
· Members expressed strong support for the motion and highlighted the importance of learning from previous failings and ensuring that improvements to maternity services were delivered. The importance of maintaining local maternity provision, including services at Stroud and Cheltenham, and providing choice in relation to place of birth was emphasised, particularly given the rural nature of the District and the distances some residents may need to travel to access services.
· Members welcomed the work already being undertaken by NHS organisations and Gloucestershire County Council's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee but emphasised the need for continued scrutiny and accountability. The pressures facing maternity staff, including workforce shortages and excessive workloads, were acknowledged, alongside the need to ensure that staff were adequately supported.
· The importance of listening to women and ensuring that their concerns were taken seriously was repeatedly emphasised. Members also ... view the full minutes text for item 120