The Stroud Council Environment Committee met to discuss the first quarter budget monitoring report, the results of a bulky waste trial, and the establishment of a task and finish group to review representations on outside bodies. The committee agreed to offer subsidised bulky waste collections to those receiving housing benefit and council tax support, and also approved the establishment of a cross-party task and finish group to review the council's representation on outside bodies.

• Budget Monitoring Report Q1 2025/26
• Bulky Waste - Trial Results
• Establishment of a Task and Finish Group to review representations on Outside Bodies

Subsidised Bulky Waste Collections

The committee resolved to approve a proposal to offer subsidised bulky waste collections to those in receipt of Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support across the district, and delegated authority to the Community Services Environment Manager, in consultation with Councillor Martin Pearcy, Chair of Environment Committee, to roll out the service. The decision follows a trial of free bulky waste collections in the Lawnside estate in Nailsworth¹ which aimed to assess the potential impact of such a service on reducing fly-tipping and improving the street scene.

The trial, which offered three collection dates to 283 properties, saw a total of 82 items removed, compared to just 8 bookings during the same period in 2024. However, uptake remained low despite communication efforts, and a walkabout survey found more gardens contained bulky items at the end of the trial than at the start. Fly-tipping data also indicated that most dumped items were ineligible for bulky waste collection.

The council considered that scaling up the trial would have little impact and would require high levels of additional officer resource. It was also noted that it could result in households not experiencing financial hardship gaining access to a service intended to support those most in need, and that the level of resource required to encourage resident participation would be intensive if the scheme were scaled up district-wide.

Instead, officers proposed a concessionary charge of £5 for up to three items for those in receipt of Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit. This approach would target those most in need district wide, and a small payment would encourage residents to follow through with their bookings, reducing the risk of missed collections and operational inefficiencies. The council's ICT team will develop an in-house booking management system, and a communication plan will be developed to inform eligible households.

• Appendix A Equality Impact Assessment

Task and Finish Group for Outside Bodies

The committee resolved to establish a cross-party Task and Finish Group to review the council's representation on outside bodies, and approved the draft Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix A. The group will report its recommendations to the Community Services and Licensing Committee and Environment Committee.

The Task and Finish Group will:

• Review and identify all Outside Bodies to which the Council appoints representatives.
• Deepen the understanding of the work of each Outside Body and the capacity in which they would like Members appointed.
• Evaluate the purpose and function of each Outside Body and how they relate to the ambitions set out in the Council Plan.
• Determine whether Councillor representation is required by the body's Terms of Reference or whether the Council provides resources to the body.
• Evaluate the benefit and value of the appointments for Members, the Council and the Outside Bodies.
• Review the reporting mechanisms for Outside Body representatives.
• Identify any new bodies which may benefit from Member representation.
• Make recommendations to the Community Services and Licensing and Environment Committees as appropriate on:
  • Changes to the list of Outside Bodies (to include deletions and/or additions).
  • Changes to the appointment process to Outside Bodies including the number of representatives for each Outside Body.
  • Changes to reporting mechanisms.

The Task and Finish Group will be cross-party, with a maximum membership of six councillors nominated by group leaders. Officers on the working group will include the Monitoring Officer, Strategic Director of Communities, Strategic Director of Place and Senior Democratic Services and Elections Officer (Electoral Services).

Budget Monitoring Report Q1 2025/26

The committee resolved to note the outturn forecast for the General Fund Revenue Programme and the Capital Programme. The monitoring position for the committee as at 30 June 2025 shows a projected net revenue underspend of £201,000 against the latest budget. The capital programme is showing a forecast spend of £4.280m against a revised budget of £7.717m.

Key points from the report included:

• Economic Development: A £72,000 transfer from reserves was related to levelling up (£106,000), market vitality (£30,000) and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (£13,000). A further £51,000 was transferred to reserves due to a vacant Senior Economic Development Officer role.
• Environmental Health: A £23,000 overspend was attributed to a vacancy for a Flood & Land Drainage Engineer, requiring the use of a private consultancy. A £20,000 transfer to reserves was due to a vacancy for a Flood Co-ordination Officer, a grant funded post.
• Land Charges: Additional income of £50,000 is expected upon successful migration of the Local Land Charges Register to HM Land Registry.
• Nature and Climate Projects: A £148,000 transfer from reserves included £50,000 for small grants to community groups, £25,000 for investigating renewable energy generation on council property, £38,000 for a partnership agreement with the Severn Rivers Trust² for a fish pass at Ebley Mill, and £64,000 as match funding for the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's beaver reintroduction project.
• Waste & Recycling: An underspend of £189,000 was due to additional garden waste revenue (£40,000), a change in the contract for recyclate (£67,000), and savings on the Ubico contract (£75,000).

Performance Monitoring

The committee received the Q1 2025/26 Environment Committee Performance Monitoring Report. Councillor Terri Kinnison noted that some milestones needed to be broken down and dated, and that a potential site of wood burning stove pollution should be added to the list for EN1D.3. She also noted the excellent progress on H2B.3, which related to investment in council homes to realise optimum emissions reductions and achieve an average rating of EPC-C or above.

The report noted steady progress across a wide range of environmental Council Plan actions, with 74 actions on target and 2 completed, and no actions flagged as overdue or cancelled. Key developments included:

• Climate and Nature Strategy: Internal and member consultations have been completed, with progress being made to get ready for the public consultation (which is now live). A climate decision-making tool is under development.
• Carbon Accounting: Scope 1, 2, and 3 methodologies have been developed and published, with refinement underway to include major capital projects.
• Natural Flood Management: Two large-scale projects delivered 26 interventions, with ongoing engagement and funding discussions.
• Waste and Recycling: Kerbside collection expanded to include more materials; contamination rates are being monitored and addressed. A bulky waste trial is underway to tackle fly-tipping.
• Air Quality Monitoring: Initial phases have begun, including sensor deployment and recruitment planning for a dedicated officer.
• Housing Sustainability: Over 50% of council homes have achieved EPC-C rating, meeting the 2030 target ahead of schedule.
• EV Infrastructure: Phase 1 rollout of EV charging points is nearly complete, with planning for Phase 2 underway.
• Community Engagement: Schools and parish councils are actively participating in nature recovery and litter prevention initiatives.

Air Quality Update

The committee received an Air Quality Update, which noted that there were no exceedances of air quality objectives in Stroud District in 2024, and that the council has purchased 3 indicative air quality monitors. The report also noted that the council is seeking to employ a dedicated Air Quality Officer, and to implement targeted air quality educational programmes.

The report also noted that Council Officers have seen an increase in burning involving controlled waste, and that they will continue to investigate reports and action as appropriate.

Other Matters

• The committee received a verbal update on Climate Leadership Gloucestershire.
• Councillor Martin Brown submitted a report on the Cotswold National Landscape Board.
• Councillor Terri Kinnison submitted a report on the Lower Severn Independent Drainage Board.
• The committee received a report on the Stroud Regeneration Committee.
• The committee received a report on the Stroud Valley Project Board.
• The committee received an Update on Kerbside Collection of Vapes and Batteries.
• The committee received a Beaver letter of support information sheet.
• The committee received a report on the Gloucestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy.
• The committee considered the Work Programme 2025-26.