The Cabinet of Gloucestershire County Council met on Wednesday 22 July 2026, approving significant funding for domestic abuse support services and the recommissioning of a young people's healthy relationship service. The meeting also saw the adoption of a new Property Maintenance Strategy and a decision to consult the public on proposals to optimise fire cover across the county.

Domestic Abuse Duty Funding: Allocation and Associated Commissioning and Contract Extension Decisions

Cabinet approved the allocation of £2,202,331 to fund various projects and commissioning activities aimed at providing domestic abuse support in safe accommodation. This funding, comprising £1,667,872 from the Domestic Abuse (DA) Duty Funding and £534,459 from a historic domestic abuse grant underspend, will support services until June 2032. Key decisions included approving call-off contracts with GreenSquareAccord Limited under the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Service (GDASS) framework for core support for victims, support in safe accommodation, and training for professionals. Authority was delegated to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Fire, to determine contract extensions.

Further allocations were approved for housing support and management costs within the Places of Safety scheme, with delegated authority to the Public Health Manager for Domestic Abuse to identify the specific sum required. Annual transfers of DA Duty funding were approved for the Places of Safety scheme, currently managed by Gloucester City Council, with provisions for contract termination due to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). A grant agreement with Gloucester City Council was also approved for this purpose.

Additionally, £275,000 from the DA Duty Funding was allocated to Gloucester City Council for a pilot Respite Rooms scheme, aimed at providing domestic abuse support in a pilot scheme. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Children's Services to allocate £200,000 from the DA Duty Funding for wellbeing and recovery support for children and young people in safe accommodation.

The meeting also approved the allocation of £524,913 (£326,718 DA Duty Funding and £198,195 domestic abuse grant underspend) to fund key roles and corporate support costs related to domestic abuse services between July 2026 and June 2028. This includes contributions to the salaries of the Public Health Manager for domestic abuse, a jointly funded DA and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Policy and Strategy Lead, a Consultation Coordinator, and a DA and VAWG Research Officer, as well as the Senior Public Health Officer for domestic abuse. A contribution towards the council's overheads and corporate costs was also approved.

Authority was delegated to the Director of Public Health to allocate up to £270,000 to provide statutory partners within the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board (LPB) with funding opportunities to support victims in safe accommodation, with decisions on proposals delegated to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member. Finally, £744,717 of historic underspend from the domestic abuse grant was approved for allocation to fill any funding gaps for projects and contracts for support in safe accommodation, should DA Duty Funding be reduced after 2028/29. A change in the source of funding for previously approved projects was also agreed, moving from historic grant underspend to DA Duty Funding.

Recommissioning of the Young People's Healthy Relationship Support Service

Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities and Fire, to procure and award a contract for a domestic abuse and healthy relationship support service for young people in Gloucestershire. The new contract, commencing April 2027, will have an initial two-year period with options to extend for a further two years twice, creating a potential six-year term. An allocation of £270,000 from the Domestic Abuse (DA) Duty Funding/domestic abuse grant underspend was approved to part-fund this contract, specifically for domestic abuse support for children and young people in safe accommodation. Additionally, a two-year funding agreement with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) was approved, transferring up to £60,000 per annum to fund a Children and Young Person Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (CHIDVA) role from April 2027 to March 2029.

GCC Property Maintenance Strategy 2026-2029

Cabinet approved and adopted the GCC Property Maintenance Strategy for 2026-2029. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director of Asset Management and Property Services (AMPS) to implement the strategy. The strategy aims to ensure the council's property portfolio is maintained in a cost-effective, compliant, and sustainable manner, aligning with the Corporate Asset Management Plan. Key objectives include ensuring statutory compliance, reducing financial risk through planned preventative maintenance, extending asset life, enhancing service delivery, and supporting sustainability goals. The strategy will be implemented using existing resources within the AMPS team, with minor adjustments to workload allocation and prioritisation.

Proposals for Fire Cover Optimisation and Response Measures Review in Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service

Cabinet approved the commencement of an eight-week public consultation on proposals to optimise fire cover across Gloucestershire. The core proposal involves redeploying existing wholetime night-time resources from Cheltenham West to Cinderford, establishing a wholetime day-crewed model at Cinderford, and consequently optimising fire cover throughout the county. The consultation aims to gather public feedback on these proposals, which are intended to address challenges such as declining on-call firefighter availability and the need to align resources with community risk and service demand, as outlined in the CRMP 2026-30. The proposed changes are intended to be cost-neutral by reallocating existing resources rather than creating new posts, thereby contributing to the required savings identified in the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Youth Justice Plan 2026-27

Cabinet recommended that the Council adopt the Youth Justice Plan 2026/2027 as part of the Council's Budget & Policy Framework. This annual update forms part of a three-year strategy for the Gloucestershire Youth Justice Service (2025-2028). The plan reflects the service's return to Gloucestershire County Council, strengthening integration with Children's Services and alignment with safeguarding, education, and health partnerships. It highlights strong performance against national KPIs, with low rates of first-time entrants, custody, and remand. The plan also addresses the HM Inspectorate of Probation's inspection findings, incorporating recommendations for improvement, particularly concerning risk assessment, planning, and victim focus. Key priorities for 2026/27 include workforce integration, implementing the 'Child First' framework, promoting inclusion and reducing disproportionality, improving health and well-being, and ensuring an effective response to victims.

Re-commissioning of the Children and Young People's Advocacy Service

Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director for Children's Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children's Safeguarding and Care, to recommission the Children and Young People's Advocacy Service. This includes conducting preliminary market engagement and an open competitive procurement process for a contract expected to last an initial three years, with an option to extend for up to two further years. The recommissioned service will incorporate parental advocacy, aligned with the Families First Partnership Programme, with an additional investment of up to £90,000 per annum. The estimated annual contract value is approximately £269,521, rising to £307,380 over the contract term, with a total estimated value of up to £1,439,991 if the full five-year term is realised. Funding for the core statutory advocacy will come from existing Children's Services budgets, while parental advocacy funding is time-limited to 2028/29.

Direct Award of Support & Maintenance Contract for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service Vision5 and Integrated Communication Control Systems

Cabinet approved the direct award of a five-year call-off contract to NEC Software Solutions UK Limited (NEC) for the system maintenance and support of the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) Fire Control Room's Vision 5 and Integrated Communications Control System (ICCS). This decision ensures the continued safe, secure, and reliable operation of these critical systems, which are essential for emergency response. NEC, as the proprietary owner of the systems, is the sole provider capable of offering assured manufacturer-level support. The total cost for the five-year contract is £611,265, excluding VAT and Indexation, with funding available within the GFRS revenue base budget.

M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme

Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Business, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructure, to continue development work on the M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme. This includes awarding a call-off contract to AtkinsRealis for Highways Traffic and Transport services until March 2027, continuing work on the Strategic Outline Case (SOC) and Outline Business Case (OBC) with a cost cap of £534k, and increasing scheme approvals by £360k. A further report is required in October 2026 to clarify the government's commitment to the scheme following anticipated delays in funding announcements. The total funding for this phase of development is up to £2 million, with £1 million from CIL contributions and £1 million from the Transport Planning business cases revenue budget.

Provision of a Recycling, General Waste, Food and Confidential Collection Service for Schools and Corporate Property

Cabinet approved a twenty-four-month extension to existing contracts for recycling, general waste, food, and confidential waste collection services for participating schools and the council's corporate estate. This extension, commencing May 2027, will run until April 2029, allowing sufficient time to procure a replacement framework agreement that accounts for changes arising from Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The estimated value of the extension for the corporate estate is £247,115, and for participating schools, it is £922,962. The council will also approve a twenty-four-month extension to the call-off contract for corporate properties under the council's framework, with schools and external partners having the option to extend their contracts.

Cleaning and Caretaking at Schools and Corporate Properties in Gloucestershire

Cabinet approved a six-month extension to existing call-off contracts for cleaning and caretaking services for the council's 111 corporate properties and 75 participating schools. This extension, commencing August 2027, will run until January 2028, providing time to procure a replacement four-year multi-supplier Framework Agreement. This new framework, expected to commence in February 2028, will cover cleaning and caretaking services for the council's corporate estate, participating schools (approximately 75), and external public sector partners, divided into six geographical lots. Authority was delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director of Corporate Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets and Transformation, to conduct the procurement process, appoint tenderers, and award call-off contracts. The estimated value of the corporate estate call-off contracts under the new framework is over £15.9 million, with schools' contracts estimated at over £15 million.

Refurbishment of The Birches

Cabinet approved a £600,000 spend to refurbish The Birches building in Tewkesbury. The refurbishment aims to provide improved space for vulnerable children and young people, offering support and accredited programmes, and to create enhanced office space for the Youth Justice Service and a dedicated Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director for Asset Management and Property Services (AMPS), in consultation with the Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Finance, Assets & Transformation, to conduct a competitive procurement process and award the refurbishment contract. The funding is allocated from the Council's Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 to 2029/30.

Charging for Excess DIY Waste at Household Recycling Centres

Cabinet approved the adoption of a DIY Waste Charging Policy for excess DIY waste brought to the council's five Household Recycling Centres (HRCs). This policy allows residents to dispose of small amounts of DIY waste free of charge, with charges applied for volumes exceeding specified limits. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Nature, Climate and Waste Reduction, to implement the policy, procure an online customer booking and payment system, and modify the existing HRC service contract with Ubico Ltd to accommodate additional staffing. The policy is expected to generate an estimated net revenue of £300k to £450k per year, contributing to the MTFS income target of £250k per annum. Implementation costs of £39,000 are to be funded from the Economy, Environment & Infrastructure Reserve.

Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board Strategy 2026-29

Cabinet approved the three-year Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (GSAB) Strategy for 2026-29. This strategy provides a framework for coordinating and assuring safeguarding arrangements for adults at risk across Gloucestershire, in line with the Care Act 2014. The strategy focuses on three workstreams: Reducing Risk, Raising Awareness, and Improving Practice, aiming to prevent abuse and neglect, promote wellbeing, and involve adults with lived experience in shaping safeguarding responses. The strategy will be delivered within existing resources, with GSAB jointly funded by Gloucestershire County Council, the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB), and Gloucestershire Constabulary.

Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet Meeting - 22 July 2026

The Cabinet meeting of Gloucestershire County Council on 22 July 2026 addressed a range of key decisions impacting services across the county. Significant funding was approved for domestic abuse support and the recommissioning of youth services, alongside strategic decisions on property maintenance and fire cover optimisation.

Key Decisions Made:

• Domestic Abuse Duty Funding: Cabinet approved the allocation of over £2.2 million for domestic abuse support services in safe accommodation, including contracts with GreenSquareAccord Limited and funding for a pilot Respite Rooms scheme.
• Young People's Healthy Relationship Support Service: Authority was delegated to procure and award a new contract for this service, with funding from the council's domestic abuse budget and the OPCC.
• GCC Property Maintenance Strategy: The 2026-2029 strategy was approved, aiming for cost-effective, compliant, and sustainable property maintenance.
• Fire Cover Optimisation: Cabinet approved public consultation on proposals to redeploy wholetime night-time resources from Cheltenham West to Cinderford, establishing a day-crewed model there and optimising fire cover countywide.
• Youth Justice Plan 2026/27: Cabinet recommended the Council adopt the Youth Justice Plan, forming part of a three-year strategy for the service.
• Children and Young People's Advocacy Service: Authority was delegated to recommission this service, with an expanded funding envelope to include parental advocacy.
• Fire and Rescue Service Systems Maintenance: A direct award contract was approved for support and maintenance of the Vision 5 and Integrated Communications Control Systems for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service.
• M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme: Authority was delegated to continue development work on the scheme, including awarding a call-off contract to AtkinsRealis and undertaking public engagement on location options.
• Waste Collection Services Extension: Contracts for recycling, general waste, food, and confidential waste collection for schools and corporate properties were extended by twenty-four months.
• Cleaning and Caretaking Services Extension: Contracts for cleaning and caretaking services for schools and corporate properties were extended by six months, with authority delegated to procure a new four-year framework agreement.
• Refurbishment of The Birches: A £600,000 spend was approved to refurbish The Birches building to provide improved space for vulnerable children and young people and office space for the Youth Justice Service and a Harm Outside the Home (HOTH) hub.
• DIY Waste Charging Policy: Cabinet approved the adoption of a policy to charge residents for excess DIY waste at Household Recycling Centres above a free allowance.
• Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board Strategy: The three-year strategy for 2026-29 was approved.

The meeting addressed a wide range of operational and strategic matters, with a strong focus on service delivery, financial management, and public safety. Several decisions involved delegations of authority to officers to manage procurement processes and contract management. The implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) were a recurring consideration, particularly in relation to contract extensions and future procurement strategies.