The Cheltenham Borough Council Cabinet met on Tuesday 15 September 2026, approving a new Aids and Adaptations Policy and extending the management agreement with The Cheltenham Trust. The meeting also addressed the council's financial position, with a report on the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budget monitoring for the first quarter of 2026-27 indicating a challenging outlook.

General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Budget Monitoring Report Q1 2026-27

The Cabinet received a report detailing the council's financial position at the end of August 2026. The report indicated an anticipated overspend on both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), which would necessitate drawing from general balances rather than building up reserves as planned. While plans are in place to meet savings targets, higher-than-anticipated borrowing costs due to interest rates not falling as expected were highlighted as a significant pressure. Favourable staffing underspends and one-off improvements in housing communities were noted as positive but non-recurring items. The Cabinet was informed that a review of the Capital Programme and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy is underway to ensure the council's long-term financial sustainability, with a full refresh of the strategy to be presented in December. Members acknowledged the challenging financial picture and the need for difficult decisions ahead, particularly concerning discretionary services.

Leisure and Culture Services Contract

A significant decision was made to extend the management agreement between Cheltenham Borough Council and The Cheltenham Trust until 30 September 2034. This extension is intended to provide the Trust with sufficient time to secure external funding from organisations such as the Arts Council and Heritage England, which is crucial for supporting assets like The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum. The decision also includes granting new leases for council-owned leisure and culture venues to The Cheltenham Trust for the same period. Members welcomed the report, noting the Trust's alignment with the council's goals for resident wellbeing and its exciting new five-year plan. The proposed plan for effective carbon management of the Trust's activities was also highlighted positively.

Aids and Adaptations Policy

The Cabinet approved a new Aids and Adaptations Policy designed to assist tenants and leaseholders in adapting their homes to meet specific accessibility and other needs. The policy provides information on how to request adaptations and outlines the process the council will follow. It was noted that the policy does not apply to residents in private rental accommodation or housing association properties. The policy was developed with input from the Cabinet Housing Committee, the accessibility forum, and a tenants' panel to ensure tenant voices were heard.

Sandy Lane Playing Field - Memorandum of Understanding

The Cabinet approved the council entering into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Patesians Sports and Social Club regarding proposed improvements to Sandy Lane Playing Field. This marks a formal step towards enhancing facilities at the Old Patesians Club, which has a long-standing relationship with the council and is committed to improving its facilities. The MOU supports a coordinated approach to the site's future development, including pitch improvements and facility upgrades.

Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANGs) Action Plan

An action plan aimed at mitigating the recreational impact on the Cotswold Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation was approved. Cheltenham Borough Council is the only local authority in Gloucestershire to proactively address this issue. The plan involves diverting visitors from sensitive areas to more suitable alternative greenspaces within Cheltenham, funded by a £550 per dwelling developer contribution. Three sites – Priors Farm, Pittville Park West, and Benhall – will be enhanced with features such as bike tracks, pathways, and improved signage. The council's collaboration with partner authorities and Natural England to monitor the effectiveness of these mitigation measures was endorsed.

Disposal of Public Open Space - Grant of Lease - Hatherley Park Vendor Pitch

The Cabinet formalised lease arrangements for a small area of hardstanding in Hatherley Park with Cobo Coffee for a five-year term. Authority was delegated to the Head of Finance and Assets to finalise the lease provisions, subject to any representations received following the publication of a statutory notice.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee - Notification of Decisions

The Cabinet noted the decisions made by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee at its meeting on 13 July 2026. A key decision highlighted was the allocation of £2.9 million from the infrastructure fund for M5 Junction 10.

Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2025-26 - CIL Report

The Cabinet approved the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2025-26 CIL Report for publication on the council's website and submission to the Government. This report provides transparency on CIL receipts, expenditure, and available funds for future investment. It also detailed significant contributions, including £676,000 to parish councils, £129,000 to neighbourhood CIL, and the council's £2 million contribution to M5 Junction 10.

Community Infrastructure Levy - Infrastructure List

Approval was given for the publication of the 2026 Infrastructure List, which outlines infrastructure and projects eligible for funding through strategic CIL receipts. Authority was delegated to the Director of Planning and Building Control to make minor amendments to the list in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning & Building Control before its publication. The list includes projects identified by Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury, with the Prince of Wales Stadium noted as a significant project for Cheltenham.

Public and Member Questions

During the meeting, two public questions were addressed. The first, from David Willingham, concerned the potential impact of proposed changes to night-time fire cover in West Cheltenham on Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) housing. The Cabinet Member for Housing and Customer Services responded that while concerned, the council had not yet seen information from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service regarding the impact on response times. A written response provided after the meeting stated that Housing Services had expressed concerns in their consultation response but required more evidence to provide a fully informed response. The second question, also from David Willingham, asked about improving the accessibility of CBC-controlled green spaces, such as applying high-contrast edge paint to steps. The Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, Parks and Gardens, and Green Open Space agreed to ask officers to review the highlighted locations and assess the practicality of such measures, with a supplementary question leading to a commitment to widen this accessibility review across the whole borough.