The Cotswold District Council Cabinet met on 4 September 2025, and approved the implementation of a new Preventing Homelessness Strategy, a refreshed Corporate Plan, and a People and Culture Strategy. They also reviewed the Private Sector Housing Civil Penalties Policy and HMO¹ Amenity Standards, and received the Financial and Service Performance Reports for the first quarter of 2025-26.

Corporate Plan 2025-2028 Refresh

The Cabinet endorsed a refreshed Corporate Plan for 2025-2028, recommending its adoption to the Full Council. Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, noted that the updated plan reflected significant national and local changes since the previous year's agreement. The refreshed plan includes a new priority: 'Preparing for the Future' to address the Council's transformation programme and preparations for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The Corporate Plan Action Plan was also reviewed.

The draft Corporate Plan reaffirms the Council's existing priorities:

• Delivering Good Services
• Responding to the Climate Emergency
• Delivering Housing
• Supporting Communities
• Supporting the Economy

Cabinet agreed that quotes attributed to councillors in the Corporate Plan would be reviewed. They delegated authority to Jane Portman, Interim Chief Executive, in consultation with Councillor Mike Evemy, to finalise the design.

Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2025-2030

The Cabinet approved the implementation of the Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2025-2030 with immediate effect. Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, introduced the strategy, which aims to assist the Council in delivering its statutory duties towards households facing homelessness. The strategy sets out four key aims and priorities:

• Preventing Homelessness
• Establishing effective partnerships and working arrangements
• Supporting rough sleepers to address their housing and other needs
• Increasing Accommodation Options

The Preventing Homelessness Action Plan charts the progress of the short-term and long-term aims of the Strategy. An Equalities Impact Assessment showed no negative impact on those who shared a protected characteristic and those who do not.

People and Culture Strategy

The Cabinet approved the People & Culture Strategy and its accompanying year 1 implementation plan. The strategy outlines the vision, values, behaviours, and support systems for council employees, especially during the upcoming period of change due to local government reorganisation. The Cabinet also approved four core workforce values:

• We put our communities first: their priorities are our priorities
• We are one team: working for our residents and businesses
• We are business focussed: ensuring efficiency, effectiveness and good value for money
• We are set up for success: to deliver against our corporate priorities

The Cabinet noted the Internal Communications & Engagement Strategy, designed to embed the values and principles of the People & Culture Strategy.

Private Sector Housing Civil Penalties Policy and HMO Amenity Standards

The Cabinet approved the Policy for Civil Penalties under the Housing and Planning Act 2016² and The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020³, as well as the HMO Amenity Standards Policy. They delegated authority for revisions to the Civil Penalties Policy and the issuing of Civil Penalties to the Business Manager, Environmental, Welfare and Revenue Service, in consultation with the Head of Legal Services.

Financial Performance Report 2025-26 Quarter 1

The Cabinet reviewed and noted the financial position set out in the Financial Performance Report for 2025-26 Quarter 1, endorsing the approach to financial management for 2025/26. They endorsed the principle to transfer any additional year-end surplus to the Transformation and Capacity Building earmarked reserves, and to transfer 50% of any year-end Planning Fee income (over and above the budgeted level) to the Planning Appeals earmarked reserve.

Service Performance Report 2025-26 Quarter 1

The Cabinet noted overall progress on the Council priorities and service performance for 2025-26 Q1 (April-June 2025) as detailed in the Service Performance Report.

Other Matters

The Cabinet also responded to recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on displaying local social and/or archaeological artefacts at the Council’s offices, including artefacts related to the history of local government in the area, deciding to note the information only. The minutes from the Cabinet meeting held on 10 July 2025 were approved.