Refurbishment of The Birches
July 22, 2026 Cabinet (Cabinet collective) Key decision Approved View on council websiteThis summary is generated by AI from the council’s published record and supporting documents. Check the full council record and source link before relying on it.
Summary
The Cabinet of Gloucestershire Council resolved to approve the spend of £600,000 to refurbish The Birches building for improved space for vulnerable children and young people, and for the Youth Justice Service and Harm Outside the Home hub. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director for Asset Management and Property Services to conduct procurement and award the refurbishment contract.
Siobhan Farmer, Director of Public Health, decided to award a call-off contract to Caring for Communities and People Ltd (CCP) for accommodation-based housing-related support to refugees at Wheatridge Court. The contract will run for an initial period of one year from 1st July 2026, with an option to extend for a further year.
The Cabinet of Gloucestershire Council approved the adoption of the Green Skills Strategy 2026-2030. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Environment, Economy and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, to implement the strategy and participate in the Federated Faculty.
Cllr Martin Horwood and Cllr Colin Hay decided to exercise the Council's three-year extension option under its contract with EDF Energy Ltd for the sale of electricity. This decision was made using general exception rules due to urgency related to volatile electricity prices.
Full council record
Purpose
To seek Cabinet approval to utilise the funds agreed in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30 for the purpose of engaging a contractor to carry out refurbishment works at The Birches building:
- To provide improved space for vulnerable children and young people where they can receive support and undertake accredited programmes to lead positive, safe lives, in a dedicated space that is fit for purpose, and focused on early intervention and prevention.
To provide improved office space in order to bring the Youth Justice Service together and establish a dedicated Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub to consolidate existing support and interventions under one roof
Decision
Cllr Ben Evans sought Cabinet approval to utilise the funds agreed in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30 for the purpose of engaging a contractor to carry out refurbishment works at The Birches building:
To provide improved space for vulnerable children and young people where they can receive support and undertake accredited programmes to lead positive, safe lives, in a dedicated space that is fit for purpose, and focused on early intervention and prevention.
To provide improved office space in order to bring the Youth Justice Service together and establish a dedicated Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub to consolidate existing support and interventions under one roof.
Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and RESOLVED to:
- Approve the spend of £600,000 to refurbish The Birches (a GCC owned building in Tewkesbury) for the purpose of:
a) providing improved space for vulnerable children and young people where they can receive support and undertake accredited programmes to lead positive, safe lives, in a dedicated space that is fit for purpose, and focused on early intervention and prevention.
b) providing improved office space in order to bring the Youth Justice Service together and establish a dedicated Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub.
- Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Asset Management and Property Services (AMPS) in consultation with the Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets & Transformation, to:
a) Conduct a competitive procurement process under the council’s Major Project Framework Agreement (or its successor) in respect of a call-off contract for the provision of refurbishment works to the property.
b) Award the above contract to the preferred contractor.
Related Meeting
Cabinet - Wednesday 22 July 2026 10.00 am on July 22, 2026
Supporting Documents
Details
| Outcome | Recommendations Approved |
| Decision date | 22 Jul 2026 |
| Effective from | 30 Jul 2026 |
| Subject to call-in | Yes |