The Cabinet of Gloucester City Council met on Wednesday 16 September 2026 to discuss a range of financial, housing, and strategic matters. Key decisions included the approval of updated policies for affordable housing allocations and counter-fraud measures, as well as progress on the sale of Gloucestershire Airport and financial monitoring reports.

Sale of Gloucestershire Airport

The Cabinet considered the report regarding the sale of Gloucestershire Airport and its entire share capital. The report sought delegated authority for the Leader of the Council, in consultation with senior officers, to complete the sale to a preferred bidder. This process is being managed by Savills, with advice from aviation experts Alan Stratford Associates. The sale is expected to be completed by the end of the financial year, with the land sale particulars agreed between Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Council. A covenant requires the airport to operate for at least five years, and the surrounding land is protected by green belt and planning policy. The administration's objective, as stated in their manifesto, is to ensure the airport's future sustainability and success.

Financial Monitoring: April to June 2026

The Cabinet received the first financial monitoring report for the 2026-27 financial year, covering April to June. The forecast indicated a General Fund underspend of £242,000, though this was noted as being early in the financial year and subject to caution. The report highlighted significant progress in rebuilding the Council's financial controls since the 2021 cyber attack, with timely and accurate financial information now available for proactive decision-making. A new monthly budget monitoring process, introduced in December 2025, involves budget holders meeting regularly with finance business partners to examine variances and update forecasts. An independent review of these arrangements has been completed, with recommendations focusing on strengthening financial resilience, improving forecasting, and clarifying accountability. The report also detailed progress on the Council's accounts, with the 2024-25 audit opinion issued on 5th August and the 2025-26 accounts published by the statutory deadline. Significant adverse pressures were noted in parking, commercial property, and the crematorium, alongside increased borrowing interest. However, these were partially offset by investment income and a favourable variance in the Minimum Revenue Provision.

Treasury Management Update - Annual Report 2025/26

This report provided an update on the Council's treasury management activities for the financial year 2025/26. The Council's priorities remained the security of public money, maintaining liquidity, and achieving an appropriate return. At the end of March 2026, the Council held £4.29 million in short-term investments and £5.92 million in the longer-term CCLA investment fund. Short-term investments yielded an average return of 3.25%, while the CCLA investment returned 3.80%. Interest rates fell during the year, but the outlook remained uncertain due to ongoing fiscal pressures and international events. No new long-term borrowing was undertaken, with the Council continuing to use short-term borrowing due to lower rates. The report confirmed that the Council operated within all treasury and prudential limits throughout the year.

Counter Fraud Policy & Strategy 2026-28

The Cabinet considered an updated Counter Fraud Policy and Strategy for 2026-2028. This revised document reflects new legislative requirements, including the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, addresses emerging fraud risks, and updates key personnel responsibilities. The strategy reinforces the Council's zero-tolerance approach to fraud, bribery, corruption, theft, and money laundering, applying to officers, members, suppliers, contractors, and partners. It is built around the principles of governing, acknowledging, preventing, pursuing, and protecting, with a greater emphasis on risk assessment, internal controls, intelligence sharing, and data analytics. The policy also outlines clear whistleblowing arrangements and confirms that allegations will be treated seriously and confidentially, with sanctions pursued where fraud is established.

Review of Parking Enforcement Services

A report was presented proposing a review of the Council's parking enforcement services, currently provided by Saba. The existing contract is due to end in November/December 2026. The review aims to identify options for reducing ongoing revenue expenditure, improving service quality, and ensuring future service improvements directly benefit the Council. The report highlighted that the current outsourced delivery incurs a significant premium and may no longer represent good value for money. The review will appraise two realistic options: bringing the service in-house or undertaking a competitive procurement exercise to re-tender the service. Authority was sought to delegate the decision on the most beneficial option to the Director of Place, Assets & Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources.

Policy for Delivering Local Lettings Plans for Affordable Housing Schemes

The Cabinet considered a report outlining the Council's approach to agreeing Local Lettings Plans (LLPs) with registered providers. LLPs are designed to govern the allocation of new-build affordable housing schemes to support the creation of mixed, balanced, and sustainable communities. The policy aims to ensure that new developments foster community cohesion, reduce anti-social behaviour, and meet specific local housing needs, such as supporting regeneration, managing child density, assisting applicants with disabilities, enabling downsizing, promoting economic activity, and relieving homelessness. The policy was developed in consultation with registered providers working in Gloucester, and their feedback has been incorporated into the final version.

Homeseeker Plus Policy

The Cabinet was asked to adopt an amended Homeseeker Plus Policy, which sets out how allocations to social housing will be made across Gloucester. Homeseeker Plus is the allocations scheme operated by all Gloucestershire district councils, along with West Oxfordshire District Council. The proposed amendments aim to improve clarity, implement necessary legislative changes, and reflect findings from a public consultation exercise. Key changes include updates to eligibility and qualification criteria, data retention provisions, and banding rules. The policy is fundamental to helping residents access affordable housing and ensuring social housing is allocated fairly to those with the greatest need.

Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2025/26 CIL Report and Infrastructure List

The Cabinet was asked to approve the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report for the financial year 2025/26 and the accompanying Infrastructure List. This is a statutory requirement under the CIL Regulations 2010 (as amended), with publication required by 31 December 2026. The CIL Report details CIL receipts of £814,381.03 for 2025/26, with £1,110,842.07 held for infrastructure in the main Regulation 59(1) Infrastructure Fund. The Infrastructure List, a shared document between Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury Borough Councils, outlines potential infrastructure projects that may be funded by CIL. A decision made by the CIL Joint Committee on 4 March 2025 to split the CIL Regulation 59(1) Infrastructure Fund, ringfencing 25% for 'local strategic' projects, was noted.

Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2025-26 Part 2 S106 Planning Obligations

The Cabinet was asked to approve the publication of the Section 106 (S106) Planning Obligations report, which forms Part 2 of the IFS for the financial year 2025/26. This report details the money received and spent from S106 agreements, including contributions towards infrastructure projects and the provision of affordable housing. During 2025/26, £698,133.89 was received from S106 planning obligations, with £224,141.65 spent on various infrastructure projects, including improvements to open spaces and sports facilities. The report also noted the completion of 20 affordable housing units secured through S106 obligations and 13 through Homes England funding. Delegated authority was sought for the Director of Place, Assets & Regeneration to make minor amendments prior to publication.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee Decisions from the 13th July 2026 Meeting

The Cabinet received a briefing on the decisions made by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee on 13 July 2026. Key decisions included retaining the 75% / 25% split of the CIL Infrastructure Fund, allocating approximately £2.9 million as a third instalment to the M5 Junction 10 scheme, and approving minor changes to the Terms of Reference for the CIL Joint Committee Joint Officer Working Group. The Committee also approved the enforcement of the original M5 Junction 10 Scheme CIL grant funding agreement to secure repayment of paid CIL receipts from Gloucestershire County Council, and to enter into a new agreement for the construction phase. Additionally, a deed of variation was approved for the Bus Rapid Transit project to defer payments and make a minor alteration to the use of funds. The report highlighted that Gloucester City Council retains £180,928 of unallocated paid CIL receipts within the 25% local strategic infrastructure fund.

Gloucestershire Airport Sale

The Cabinet discussed the sale of Gloucestershire Airport. Councillor Jeremy Hilton, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, presented the report, which sought approval to progress the disposal of the Council's freehold interest in the airport, alongside the sale of the entire share capital of Gloucestershire Airport Limited (GAL). The process is being managed by Savills, with expert advice from Alan Stratford Associates. The sale is anticipated to be completed by the end of the financial year. The land has covenants requiring the airport to operate for at least five years, and the surrounding area is protected by green belt and planning policy. The administration's objective is to ensure the airport's future sustainability and success.

Financial Monitoring and Treasury Management

The Cabinet reviewed the financial monitoring report for April to June 2026, noting a projected underspend of £242,000. The report highlighted improvements in financial controls and forecasting. The Treasury Management Update for 2025/26 confirmed robust investment returns and compliance with all treasury and prudential limits.

Housing Policies

Two key housing policies were approved: the Local Lettings Plan Policy, which sets out the Council's approach to agreeing LLPs with registered providers to create mixed and balanced communities in new affordable housing schemes, and the amended Homeseeker Plus Policy, which governs the allocation of social housing across Gloucester. Both policies aim to ensure fair and transparent allocation processes, prioritising those in greatest need while supporting wider community objectives.

Infrastructure Funding

The Cabinet approved the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) for 2025/26, covering both CIL and S106 planning obligations. This includes the CIL Report, the Infrastructure List, and the S106 report. The CIL report detailed receipts and expenditure, while the S106 report highlighted infrastructure projects funded and affordable housing units completed. The Cabinet also received a briefing on decisions made by the CIL Joint Committee, including the allocation of funds for the M5 Junction 10 scheme and the Bus Rapid Transit project.

Parking Enforcement Review

A review of parking enforcement services was approved, with the aim of identifying options to reduce expenditure and improve service quality. The review will consider bringing the service in-house or re-tendering the contract.

Counter Fraud and Other Policies

The Cabinet approved an updated Counter Fraud Policy and Strategy for 2026-2028, reinforcing the Council's zero-tolerance approach to fraud.

The meeting also included public question time and leader and cabinet member question time, covering various issues raised by councillors and the public.