Resolution status:Carried
RESOLVED that, subject to the amendment on fees and charges item 186, the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 January 2026 be approved as a correct record
Cabinet resolved to APPROVE the attached Asbestos Management Policy.
Cabinet resolved to AGREE to :
1. enter into a Common Service Agreement with Ubico as described in this report, and
2. delegate authority to the Director of Communities and Place in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory Services to agree the final terms of the agreement with Ubico.
RESOLVED that Cabinet considered the budget report and approved for recommendation to Council:
1. the Medium-Term Financial Strategy set out in Annex B
2. the Budget Pressures and Savings for inclusion in the budget, set out in Annex C
3. the Council Tax Requirement of £7,419,716 for this Council
4. the Council Tax level for Cotswold District Council purposes of £163.93 for a Band D property in 2026/27 (an increase of £5)
5. the Capital Programme, set out in Annex D
6. the Annual Capital Strategy 2026/27, as set out in Annex E
7. the Annual Treasury Management Strategy and Non-Treasury Management Investment Strategy 2026/27, as set out in Annex F
8. the Strategy for the Flexible use of Capital Receipts, as set out in Annex H
9. that £2m is set aside in a new earmarked reserve Council Priority: LGR Transition through the releasing of £2m of the balance currently held in the Financial Resilience Reserve.
10. the balances and reserves forecast for 2026/27 to 2029/30 as set out in Section 7 of the report.
Cabinet approved delegation to the Council’s Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader, and Cabinet Member for Finance
11. To agree changes to the General Fund Summary arising from the Final Local Government Finance Settlement and the Business Rates Retention Scheme estimates prior to submission to Council.
RESOLVED that the minutes of Full Council 26 November 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record.
Full Council RESOLVED to appoint:
1. Councillor Joe Harris to the vacant Liberal Democrat seat on the Planning and Licensing Committee (previously Councillor Tristan Wilkinson) for a term of office expiring at the next Annual Meeting of the Council.
2. Councillor Paul Hodgkinson to the vacant Liberal Democrat seat on the Audit and Governance Committee (previously Councillor Tony Dale) for a term of office expiring at the next Annual Meeting of the Council.
Following the resolutions of the Planning and Licensing Committee on 14 January 2026, Council RESOLVED to:
Full Council RESOLVED to:
1. Note the Council’s Treasury Management performance for the period 1 April 2025 to 30 September 2025 and the Quarter 2 Prudential Indicators.
2. Approve the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025/26.
Motion status:Carried
Full Council resolved to:
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20 November 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 26 November 2025 be approved as a correct record.
Resolved that Cabinet:
1. Approved the replacement of vehicles in line with the updated Capital Fleet Replacement Programme (Paragraph 5.3) up to a total of thirty-one vehicles.
2. Approved steps towards the decarbonisation of waste services through the purchase of one electric kerbside-sort vehicle (one of the thirty-one vehicles identified above) and a shift to using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as a replacement to diesel.
3. Agreed to include the reprofiled capital expenditure for 2026/27 in the Capital Programme that will be considered by Cabinet and Council in February 2026.
1. Approved the Carers Leave Policy and Procedure
a. and
2. Approved the Dogs at Work Policy
1. Approved the Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Policy and Procedure, which had been rewritten to incorporate the Supreme Court Ruling.
2. Approved that ‘care experienced’ be treated as if it were a protected characteristic as many care-experienced people face discrimination, stigma and prejudice.
3. Delegated authority to the Chief Executive Officer to make minor and necessary amendments to the EDIE Policy, enabling timely updates that would not alter the policy’s strategic intent.
1. Approved and adopted the Corporate Enforcement Policy attached to the report.
2. Delegated authority to the Chief Executive to approve future minor amendments to the Policy, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, Head of Service Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, Relevant Heads of Service and the Head of Legal Services.
1. Approved the process to undertake a procurement exercise to appoint enforcement agent services for the council.
2. Noted that the procurement exercise would be undertaken via a Dynamic Purchasing System; and in partnership with five other Local Authorities.
1. Endorsed the rationale for revising fees and charges as set out in the report;
2. Approved the delegation of future decisions regarding the setting of Special Area of Conservation Fees to the Head of Planning Services in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning;
3. Approved the changes to car parking arrangements detailed in section 4 of the report to align with the Car Parking Strategy approved on 20 November 2025; and
4. Approved the implementation of the revised fees and charges for 2026/27, as detailed in Annex A, from 1 April 2026.
1. Reviewed and noted the financial position set out in this report.
2. Approved the additional transfers to earmarked reserves as set in paragraph 4.13 of the report.
3. Endorsed the principle to transfer 100% of any year-end Planning Fee income (over and above the budgeted level) to the Planning Appeals earmarked reserve, as set out in paragraph 4.24 of the report.
4. Approved the reallocation of the UKSPF capital budget as follows:
a. £0.229m to Rural England Prosperity
b. £0.060m to UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF Capital)
1. Reviewed the Strategic Risk Register and mitigation measures.
2. Endorsed the proposal for the strategic risk register to be included in the work programme for the committee with a quarterly review frequency.
1. Agreed to allocate funding for the following bids, as set out in Table 4:
a. Cycle parking Cotswold National Cycle Network (GCC with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust)
b. Farmor’s School 3G Pitch (Farmor’s School)
c. Redesdale Hall Phase 2 (Redesdale Hall Trust)
2. Delegated authority to the Assistant Director Planning Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, to progress the funding bids subject to the Assistant Director of Planning Services, Legal Services, and the Finance Service undertaking the required due diligence to ensure a formal agreement is in place prior to the release of funding in accordance with the CIL funding guidance notes.
Cabinet RESOLVED to :
1. Propose the single unitary council option for Gloucestershire in response to the ministers invitation on 5 February 2025.
2. Treat the decision as urgent under Part D6, paragraph 4.14 of the Constitution, and therefore dis-apply the call-in procedure, on the grounds that any delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would prejudice the Council’s and the public’s interests.
RESOLVED that the minutes of Full Council 24 September 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record.
Council RESOLVED to:
1. Appoint Jane Portman to the role of permanent Chief Executive Officer with effect from 1 January 2026 on an annual salary of £140,000 with an additional one-off allowance of up to £8,000.
2. Appoint Jane Portman as the Council’s Head of Paid Service for the purposes of Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 with effect from 1 January 2026.
3. Appoint Jane Portman as the Council’s Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer for the purposes of Section 35 of the Representation of the Peoples Act (1983) and Regulation 4 of the Parish & Community Meeting (Polls) Rules (1987).
Resolved that Council APPROVED the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel with regards to Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA’s):
Council also APPROVED
Council also NOTED
Council resolved to :
1. Agree the increase to income bands as detailed within paragraphs 3.2, 3.3 and Annex A of this report from 1 April 2026.
2. Agree that any balance remaining in the earmarked reserve ‘Hardship Fund’ be made available in 2026/27 financial year for reasons detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of this report.
Council resolved to:
APPROVE and ADOPT the Terms of Reference and Draft Proposals for consultation for the Community Governance Review (CGR).
Council RESOLVED to
1. Agree the programme of meetings from June 2026 to May 2027 as set out in Annex A and Annex B.
2. Delegate authority to the Director of Governance and Development (Monitoring Officer), in consultation with Group Leaders, to make changes to the programme of meetings in the event that there is any future decision of Council to change the committee structure or committee remits that impacts the programme of meetings.
3. Delegate authority to the Head of Democratic and Electoral Services to set the meeting dates for the Performance and Appointments Committee, member training and briefing sessions, any working groups established by the Council and any meetings of the Licensing Sub-Committee (Licensing Act 2003 Matters) and the Standards Hearings Sub-Committee (if required).
4. Agree that the meeting start times will be rolled forwards from 2025/26.
1. Request that the Cabinet proposes the single unitary council for Gloucestershire in response to the minister’s invitation on 5 February 2025
2. Request that the Leader sends an accompanying letter to the minister indicating the reasons for this decision based upon the debate at this meeting and at Cabinet
3. Request that the Cabinet and Officers continue their work to prepare for LGR in advance of a decision by the government that is expected in June or July 2026.
RESOLVED that, subject to the above amendments the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 16 October 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 November 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED that Cabinet:
1. Noted the content of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) attached at Annex A,
2. Endorsed the document to be published on the Council’s website by 31 December 2025 in accordance with legislative requirements.
Cabinet RESOLVED to adopt the Gloucestershire Tackling Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-28.
Cabinet resolved to APPROVE
1. an addition to the consultation document for the Cotswold District Council Local Plan Review Regulation18 Consultation Preferred Options (November 2025) and;
2. to commence a seven-week public consultation on this starting on 14 November 2025 and finishing on 2 January 2026
RESOLVED that the minutes of Cabinet held on 4 September 2025 be approved as a correct record of the meeting.
RESOLVED that cabinet agreed and adopted the updated Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
RESOLVED that Cabinet recommended that Council:
2. Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer, in Consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to amend the income bands by the September 2025 CPI rate due to be published on 22 October 2025, should this be different to the assumed increase set out in the report and annex A.
3. Agree that any balance remaining in the earmarked reserve ‘Hardship Fund’ be made available in 2026/27 financial year for reasons detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of the report.
RESOLVED that Cabinet
1. Approved the Cotswold District Council Local Plan Review Regulation 18 Consultation Preferred Options (November 2025) document and the commencement of a six-week public consultation on this, together with a call for sites from 5 November 2025 to 18 December 2025.
2. Delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Place, the Accountable Officer and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning to agree any minor amendments or additions to the Consultation Document prior to the Regulation 18 Consultation.
3. Delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Place and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning to approve for consultation any supporting technical documents for the Regulation 18 consultation.
4. Delegated authority to the Director of Communities and Place and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning to approve additional technical documents for further Regulation 18 consultation as and when necessary.
5. Approved the Local Development Scheme.
RESOLVED that Cabinet approved the 2026/27 Budget Strategy as outlined in the report.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 July 2025 be approved as a correct record.
Approved the implementation of the Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2025-2030 with immediate effect.
RESOLVED that Cabinet :
1. Approved the People & Culture Strategy as detailed in Annex A
2. Approved the four core workforce values:
a. We put our communities first:
b. We are one team: working for our residents and businesses
c. We are business focussed: ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and good value for money
d. We are set up for success: to deliver against our corporate priorities
3. Approved the year 1 implementation plan as detailed in Annex B (September 2025 – August 2026)
4. Noted the Internal Communications & Engagement Strategy as detailed in Annex C.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet meeting of the 8 May 2025 be APPROVED as a correct record.
APPROVED the adoption of 'Creative Cotswold's’ strategy as the Council's approach to supporting the cultural sector.
1. WELCOMED the findings of the PAS (Planning Advisory Service) Planning Service Peer Challenge report (May 2025) and
2. AGREED the proposed Action Plan and publication of the plan on specific pages of the CDC website.
RESOLVED that Cabinet RECOMMEND to Council to resolve to merge the two ongoing Local Plan projects currently known as:
a) the partial update of the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan (2011-2031); and
b) the Development Strategy and Site Allocations Plan,
into a single comprehensive Full Local Plan Update, incorporating work of the Gloucestershire Strategic Plan, where appropriate, with a view to submission of the single Local Plan in 2026 and adoption in 2027.
Subject to Council’s approval of merging the two Local Plans RESOLVED THAT Cabinet:
1. UPDATE the Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy in parallel with the Local Plan process.
2. INVEST in additional resources to accelerate the delivery of the Local Plan to enable the December 2026 submission deadline to be hit.
3. CONFIRM the delivery of the Local Plan as a Council priority.
4. ESTABLISH a Local Plan Oversight Board and confirm a new Terms of Reference.
Appointment of Councillor Tristan Wilkinson to the Planning and Licensing Committee.
1. APPROVE the recommendation of the Performance & Appointments Committee’s Selection Panel that Jane Portman be appointed as Chief Executive Officer/Returning Officer/Electoral Registration Officer for a period of up to 9 months from 1 July 2025 or the date of commencement in post of a permanent Chief Executive Officer, whichever is earlier, to ensure the Council’s statutory duties are fulfilled and provide sufficient time for a permanent appointment to be made;
2. APPOINT the Interim Chief Executive Officer as the Council’s Head of Paid Service for the purposes of Section 4 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, from 1 July 2025 until a permanent Chief Executive Officer is appointed;
3. APPROVE the recommendation of the Selection Panel that Jane Portman is appointed as Interim Chief Executive Officer (Head of Paid Service), Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer with effect from 1 July 2025 or as soon as practically possible after that date;
4. APPOINT, in the event that the Interim Chief Executive Officer is unable to take up the role with effect from 1 July 2025, David Stanley, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, to undertake the role of Head of Paid Service, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer until such time as the Interim Chief Executive Officer is available to take up the role;
5. AUTHORISE the Head of HR to commence the process of appointing a permanent Chief Executive Officer (Head of Paid Service) and Returning Officer / Electoral Registration Officer.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Mark Harris be appointed as Chair of Council for the Civic Year 2025/26.
Council RESOLVED that Councillor Ray Brassington be appointed as Vice-Chair of Council for the Civic Year 2025/26.
Council RESOLVED that Councillor Mike Evemy be appointed as Leader of Council for a term of office extending to the Annual Council meeting in May 2027.
Table 1;
RESOLVED that the minutes are accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting of 24 February 2025.
Council RESOLVED to approve the Council’s Pay Policy for 2025/26.
That a revised and strong letter to be sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, be considered by Overview and Scrutiny.
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