This week in Gloucestershire:

Children's Services Under Scrutiny: Early Help, Fostering, and Adoption Reports Reviewed

The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to examine crucial updates on services for the county's young people. The discussions centred on the effectiveness of early help initiatives, the state of fostering and adoption services, and the overall performance of children's services and the education system. These reports are vital for understanding how the council is supporting its most vulnerable residents.

Early Help and Family Hubs: A Focus on Prevention

A key focus was the progress of Gloucestershire's Early Help Strategy, which aims to provide support as soon as difficulties arise, preventing them from escalating. The committee received updates on the development of Family and Youth Hubs, designed to offer a range of services from early childhood development to specialist interventions. The report highlighted the importance of these hubs in providing a safety net for families, particularly those facing challenges. The effectiveness of parenting programmes, such as Triple P, was also reviewed, with data on parent outcomes and any identified gaps in provision. This preventative approach is crucial for long-term wellbeing and reducing the need for more intensive, statutory interventions later on.

Fostering and Adoption: Addressing National Challenges

The committee also reviewed the annual reports for Fostering and Adoption services. While Gloucestershire's Fostering Service reported achievements like a reduction in children in care and the recruitment of new foster households, the national context remains challenging. Reports highlighted issues such as burnout among foster carers and financial pressures, which can impact the stability of placements for children. The adoption report provided an update from Adoption West, underscoring the ongoing need for robust support systems for both children and prospective adoptive families.

Performance and Education: A Mixed Picture

A performance report for the second quarter of 2025/26 offered a strategic overview of the council's performance in Children's Social Care and Education. While some areas showed positive trends, the report also detailed key risks, including insufficient workforce capacity and the challenge of developing enough placement capacity for children in care. The School System Outcomes Report for 2024-25 provided data on educational attainment across different key stages. While Gloucestershire pupils generally performed in line with national averages, the report noted persistent attainment gaps for disadvantaged children, highlighting the ongoing work needed to ensure equity in education.

Schools Face Funding Uncertainty Amidst Rising Costs

The Gloucestershire Schools Forum met to address the complex financial landscape of the county's schools. The discussions centred on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for the upcoming academic year, with significant attention paid to the funding of early years provision and the escalating costs associated with high needs provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Dedicated Schools Grant: Shortfalls and Allocations

A significant concern raised was the projected shortfall in the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2026/27. While there was an increase in funding for the Schools block and Central School Services block, the report indicated that the Schools block funding was insufficient to meet the full National Funding Formula (NFF) allocation. This shortfall necessitates a proposed reduction in NFF factor rates, which could impact the per-pupil funding for schools. The forum also discussed de-delegation proposals, which freeze rates for the year, and agreed to maintain the Notional SEND formula unchanged. Pupil Premium Grant rates for 2026/27 were noted to have increased, offering some relief for disadvantaged pupils.

Early Years Funding: A Welcome Increase, But Challenges Remain

The Early Years block of the DSG saw a substantial increase, largely due to the expansion of free childcare hours for working parents. This is a positive development, particularly for supporting children's early development and addressing attainment gaps for disadvantaged children. However, the report also highlighted significant challenges facing the early years sector, including the impact of the cost of living crisis, rising delivery costs, and increases in the minimum living wage. These factors are affecting staff recruitment and retention, and the sustainability of childcare places. The proposed hourly rates for early years provision were presented for consultation, with a recommended retention rate to fund essential staffing and services.

High Needs: A Growing Financial Crisis

The most pressing issue discussed was the escalating overspend in the High Needs block, projected to reach £44.673 million for 2025/26 and a staggering £57.7 million for 2026/27. This deficit is driven by an increasing number of children requiring specialist support and placements, with costs for secondary placements and alternative provision rising significantly. The forum considered several difficult options to address this deficit, including removing inflationary increases to EHCP banding, a Schools Block Transfer, and reducing or removing Targeted SEND funding. These decisions have direct implications for the support available to children with the most complex needs.

Other Matters

• The Gloucestershire Health & Wellbeing Board met to discuss health and wellbeing initiatives.
• The Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee met to review services for adults, including drug and alcohol recovery, safeguarding, and performance reports.
• The Environment Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and the rollout of electric vehicle charging points.

Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are listed below. These are included to help you inform readers about what is coming up.

• The Constitution Committee on Monday 19 January 2026 will meet to consider proposed changes to the council's constitution, including amendments to the terms of reference for the Pensions Committee and the Appeals Committee. See details.
• The Planning Committee Site Visits on Tuesday 20 January 2026 will take place. See details.
• The Pension Board on Wednesday 21 January 2026 will meet to discuss the Gloucestershire Pension Fund's governance, operations, funding, and investments, as well as government consultations impacting the LGPS. See details.
• The Audit and Governance Committee on Thursday 22 January 2026 will meet to review external audit reports, the Annual Governance Statement, and the Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27. See details.
• The Appeals Board on Friday 23 January 2026 will meet to hear appeals related to charges for home to school transport. See details.
• The Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 27 January 2026 will meet. See details.
• The Cabinet on Wednesday 28 January 2026 will meet. See details.
• The Planning Committee on Thursday 29 January 2026 will meet. See details.
• The City Region Board on Friday 30 January 2026 will meet. See details.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Fire Service Faces Budget Scrutiny Amidst Rising Risks

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) is under scrutiny as the Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee met to discuss its Service Plan in the context of the draft budget for 2026/27. The committee also provided feedback on the draft Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2026-2030, a crucial document outlining how the service will address the growing risks facing the county.

Budgetary Pressures and Community Safety

The draft budget for 2026/27 highlights the financial challenges ahead, with the Service Plan aiming to ensure communities remain safe and resilient. Key risks identified for Gloucestershire include flooding, dwelling fires, and non-residential fires. The CRMP, a statutory requirement, is being developed to strategically allocate resources and operational measures to tackle these threats.

Concerns were raised during the meeting about the CRMP's lack of specific content and a clear delivery timetable. The Chief Fire Officer acknowledged the need for urgency in addressing climate change impacts and stressed the importance of securing sufficient funding. The re-establishment of fire cadets was also discussed as a potential benefit for young people and firefighter recruitment.

Blue Light Collaboration and Performance Concerns

An update on Blue Light Collaboration detailed strategic frameworks for joint initiatives with Police and Ambulance Services, aiming to enhance efficiency and community safety. However, performance data for the second quarter of 2025/26 revealed a significant concern: average response times to dwelling fires remained elevated and worse than the target and peer group average. This was attributed to staffing challenges with on-call firefighters and the impact on wholetime crews. While the service is managing this risk, it underscores the pressure on emergency response capabilities.

Local Government Reorganisation and its Impact

The potential impacts of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) on GFRS were also presented. A shift to a two-unitary authority model could necessitate significant organisational change, with estimated one-off costs of around £1.1 million. Concerns were raised about the impact on back-office functions, which have been a focus following previous criticism from His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Council Grapples with £697 Million Draft Budget

Gloucestershire County Council's Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to scrutinise the draft budget for 2026/27, a substantial £697.5 million financial plan that will shape services across the county for the next four years. The budget proposes significant investments and savings across all directorates, with a net increase of £32.4 million from the previous year.

Protecting Vulnerable Residents: Adult Social Care and Children's Services

The draft budget allocates £243.1 million to Adult Social Care and Communities, an increase of 8.31%. This includes £20.7 million in investments for areas such as inflationary pressures, demographic growth, and older people's services. For Children and Families, the budget for Vulnerable Children is £154.7 million, a 2.13% increase, with investments in services for children with disabilities and support for foster and adoptive families. Other Children's Services will receive £46.9 million, a 9.72% increase, with a focus on SEND services and home-to-school transport. These investments are crucial for supporting some of the county's most vulnerable residents.

Investing in Infrastructure and Community Safety

The Economy, Environment and Infrastructure directorate will see its budget rise to £95.9 million, a 9.07% increase. This includes £7.4 million for highways and transport transformation programmes and £5.1 million for highways design software. The Community Safety budget is £29.0 million, a 6.11% increase, with investments including additional operational day crewing at a fire station in the Forest of Dean and funding for the Coroner's Service.

Balancing the Books: Savings and Efficiencies

To balance the budget, significant savings and efficiencies are proposed across various directorates. For example, £6.2 million in savings are planned within Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, including £4.3 million from the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging waste. Corporate Resources aims to achieve £0.93 million in efficiencies, including £0.5 million from optimising income opportunities. The Technical & Countywide services budget sees a decrease of 21.22%, reflecting £9.7 million in efficiencies, largely from LGPS contributions.

Other Matters

• The Fire and Rescue Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service's Service Plan and draft budget for 2026/27, and to provide feedback on the draft Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) 2026-2030. They also received an update on Blue Light Collaboration and reviewed performance data for the second quarter of 2025/26.
• The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to scrutinise the draft 2026/27 budget, reviewing directorate plans for Adult Social Care and Communities, Children and Families, Public Health and Communities, Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, Community Safety, Corporate Resources, and Technical & Countywide services.

Upcoming meetings in the next 7 days are listed below. These are included to help you inform readers about what is coming up.

• The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 15 January 2026 will meet to review updates on early help services, including family and youth hubs, and parenting programmes. They will also consider annual reports on fostering and adoption, alongside performance and education outcome reports. See details.
• The Gloucestershire Schools Forum on Thursday 15 January 2026 will meet to discuss the Dedicated Schools Grant for the upcoming academic year, as well as funding for early years and high needs provision. They will also review the f40 update and the Schools Forum's workplan for 2026. See details.
• The Adult Social Care and Communities Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday 13 January 2026 will meet to discuss Gloucestershire's Adult Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, the Gloucestershire Adult Safeguarding Board's Strategic Plan, and performance reports for Adult Social Care. See details.
• The Environment Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday 14 January 2026 will meet to discuss the Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy and receive an update on the electric vehicle chargepoint rollout. See details.
• The Constitution Committee on Monday 19 January 2026 will meet to consider proposed changes to the council's constitution, including amendments to the terms of reference for the Pensions Committee and the Appeals Committee. See details.
• The Planning Committee Site Visits on Tuesday 20 January 2026 will take place. See details.
• The Audit and Governance Committee on Thursday 22 January 2026 will meet. See details.
• The Pension Board on Wednesday 21 January 2026 will meet. See details.
• The Appeals Board on Friday 23 January 2026 will meet. See details.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Footpath Access at Juniper Hill Faces Scrutiny

The Commons and Rights of Way Committee met to consider an application to add a public footpath and a spur footpath at Juniper Hill, Painswick Parish. The application, submitted by Ms L. Pugh, has raised concerns from the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT), as the area in question is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Battle Over Bridleways

The committee reviewed a report detailing the history of the land, including previous ownership by Mr Griffiths, who erected gates around 2005, and Woodland Investments Management Ltd, who created a new enclosed track in April 2023. The land was subsequently transferred to GWT in November 2024.

The report pack refers to Section 32 of the Highways Act 1980, which states that when determining whether a way has or has not been dedicated as a highway, any map, plan, history of the locality or other relevant document should be taken into consideration.

The report pack also refers to Section 31(1) of the Highways Act 1980, which states that where a way over any land has been actually enjoyed by the public 'as of right' without force, secrecy or permission, and without interruption for a full period of 20 years, the way is deemed to have been dedicated as a highway unless there is sufficient evidence that there was no intention during that period to dedicate it.

User Evidence Supports Footpath Claim

Twenty-nine User Evidence Statements (UESs) completed by individual members of the public were submitted in support of these application routes. The analysis left 19 individuals claiming use of the application routes. The report pack states that there is no evidence that use of the application routes was by force, secrecy or permission and no one was verbally or physically prevented from using the applications routes over the timeframe 2001-2021 leading up to the securing of the gates at points B and E, shortly before the transfer of land to Woodland Investments Management Ltd on 5 October 2021.

The presenting officer recommended that an Order be made to add a length of public footpath to the Definitive Map & Statement between points A-D & B-E.

Appeals Board Hears Transport Charge Cases

The Appeals Board met to consider appeals related to charges for assistance with home to school transport. The board, consisting of Councillor Stephen Davies, Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor Beki Hoyland, Leader of the Green Group, and Councillor Dr Natalie Rothwell-Warn, reviewed individual cases where families are disputing the charges levied for their children's transport to school. The board may have chosen to exclude the press and public during a portion of the meeting, citing Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of press and public when discussing information relating to any individual.

This week in Gloucestershire:

Council Faces Scrutiny Over Support for Farmers

The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including support for Gloucestershire's farmers. The discussion follows concerns raised by the National Farmers' Union (NFU) about the challenges facing the agricultural sector, including rising costs and changing regulations. The committee was scheduled to establish a working group to report back to the full council in March, but no transcript or minutes are available, so it is not known whether this happened.

Motion 977 Sparks Debate

The committee was scheduled to discuss Motion 977, which had been referred to them by the full council. The motion concerned support for Gloucestershire's farmers. The committee was scheduled to consider the approach to the motion and establish a working group. The original motion and proposed amendments were attached to the agenda for information.

Financial Performance and Risk Monitoring Under Review

The committee was scheduled to discuss corporate performance, risk, and financial monitoring for the second quarter of 2025/26. This included updates on the council's financial performance, progress against its strategies, and a review of the strategic risk register.

Overspend in Adult Social Care

At the previous meeting, Paul Blacker, Finance Director, reported an overspend in Adult Social Care of £2.7 million, and an underspend in Children's Services of £1.2 million. The committee was scheduled to receive an update on whether this had changed.

Strategic Risks

At the previous meeting, five priority areas were flagged with a degree of risk: climate change, highways maintenance, securing investment into the county, children's services and fire service, and strategic procurement. The committee was scheduled to review whether these risks remained.

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on local government reorganisation (LGR) and devolution from Nina Philippidis, Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Corporate Resources.

Costs of Reorganisation

At the previous meeting, the direct costs of LGR were confirmed to be around £800,000, not including officer time, with the estimated budget of transitioning given as up to £30 million, depending on whether the final decision was a one or two unitary authority. The committee was scheduled to receive an update on whether this had changed.

Other Matters

• The committee was scheduled to consider the Corporate Asset Management Plan.
• The committee was scheduled to note the arrangements for the Budget Scrutiny session on Wednesday 7 January 2026.
• The committee was scheduled to review the committee work plan and suggest items for consideration at future meetings.
• The Traffic Regulation Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 09 December 2025 was cancelled.

Upcoming Meetings

• The Commons and Rights of Way Committee on Tuesday 16 December 2025 will meet to discuss an application to add a public footpath plus a spur footpath at Juniper Hill, Painswick Parish, and to note a report on delegated decisions. See details.
• The Appeals Board on Friday 19 December 2025 will meet to consider appeals related to charges for home to school transport assistance. See details.