The Cabinet of Gloucestershire Council met on Wednesday 22 April 2026 to discuss a range of significant strategic and operational matters. Key items on the agenda included the approval of the Stronger Futures full business case and investment plan, the adoption of Gloucestershire's Local Growth Plan for 2025-2035, and the review of service options for the Great Western Court Reablement Unit. The meeting also covered the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan for 2026-2030, and the Cotswold Canal Trust Stroudwater Canal Restoration (Walk Bridge Scheme).

Creating a Stronger Future: Approval of Full Business Case and Investment

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider the Stronger Futures full business case, which outlines a programme to modernise ways of working, improve value for money, and deliver savings. This initiative focuses on three priority areas: technology (including digital and AI) to enhance productivity and service delivery; strengthening control and reducing costs in third-party spend; and organisational design, pay, and reward to improve accountability and workforce planning. The plan details an upfront investment of approximately £3.4 million to mobilise and deliver the programme, funded from transformation and digital investment reserves. The business case estimates budgeted savings of around £7 million by April 2028 from the rollout of a general AI tool, with further potential savings identified from targeted AI, third-party spend, and organisational design initiatives. The delivery approach is structured around mobilisation, implementation, evidence gathering, validation, and banking of savings, with a critical path to April 2027 and alignment with Local Government Reorganisation readiness by April 2028. The report highlighted the need for timely decisions, sustained senior sponsorship, clear baselines, effective workforce engagement, and sufficient specialist capacity to ensure success.

Gloucestershire's Local Growth Plan (2025-2035)

The Cabinet was asked to adopt Gloucestershire's Local Growth Plan (LGP) for 2025-2035. This plan, co-created by all seven local authorities in Gloucestershire, aims to guide sustainable and inclusive economic growth over the next decade. It supersedes the previous Gloucestershire County Council Economic Strategy (2024-2034) and serves as the principal framework for the county's economic priorities. The LGP outlines five core economic missions: Talent and Future Skills, Supporting Employment Opportunities for All, Thriving Communities and Culture, Environment, Housing and Infrastructure, and Innovation, Investment and Enterprise. It also identifies high-growth sectors for Gloucestershire, including Secure Technologies and Digital, Agri-Tech, Advanced Engineering and Aerospace, and Energy Transition and Low Carbon Innovation. The plan acknowledges challenges such as raising productivity, reducing deprivation, delivering affordable housing, addressing climate change, and closing the skills gap, while championing Gloucestershire as a high-quality place to live, work, and invest. The recommendations included delegating authority to make minor updates to the plan and updating the Gloucestershire City Region Board Inter-Authority Agreement to reflect the adoption of the LGP.

Review of Service Options for Great Western Court Reablement Unit

A report was scheduled for discussion regarding the service options for Great Western Court (GWC), a bed-based reablement unit. The recommendations proposed the closure of GWC and the reinvestment of its staffing budget and resources into home-based reablement and prevention services. The rationale for this proposal included the observation that individuals respond better to reablement delivered in their own homes, and that the Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (GICB) has indicated that future Pathway 2 provision should be delivered as more complex, specialised nursing provision, which GWC currently does not offer. The report noted low occupancy at GWC, leading to high costs per placement and poor value for money. The closure would result in potential redundancy and pension strain costs for staff, estimated at approximately £910,000, though redeployment within Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) would be explored. The report indicated that GWC had temporarily closed to new admissions in February 2026 due to operational challenges and recruitment difficulties.

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan 2026-2030

The Cabinet was asked to approve and publish the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service's (GFRS) Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2026-2030. This plan is a statutory requirement and sets out how GFRS will allocate resources and implement strategies to mitigate identified risks. The CRMP has been informed by public consultation, including engagement on the Community Risk Profile and a draft condensed plan. Key factors influencing the plan include HMICFRS recommendations, national operational guidance, cultural improvement initiatives, the need for efficiency, the impact of climate change, challenges with the on-call firefighter model, and the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation. The plan outlines five aims for 2030: creating a skilled and inclusive workforce, modernising the rural response model, adapting skills and assets to evolving risks, becoming a greener and more efficient FRS, and achieving outstanding assessments and being a partner of choice. The report detailed current and projected incident trends, highlighting an increase in non-fire incidents such as flooding and 'assist other agencies', while fire incidents are projected to decrease.

Cotswold Canal Trust Stroudwater Canal Restoration (Walk Bridge Scheme)

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report seeking delegated authority to approve a capital contribution of £1 million towards the design and construction costs of a replacement highway structure at Walk Bridge. This replacement is necessary to allow the Stroudwater Canal to become navigable at this location as part of the Cotswold Canal Trust's restoration project. Stroud District Council is the project proposer, working with the Cotswold Canal Trust. The £1 million contribution, approved in the 2025-26 Medium Term Financial Strategy, is intended to unlock National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) awards. The report also sought delegated authority to determine Gloucestershire County Council's role in the project's planning, design, and construction stages, with the Council's involvement capped at the £1 million contribution. Risks identified included cost inflation, resource availability, and the need for robust contractual arrangements to ensure the project's completion and the continuity of the highway network.

Other items on the agenda included:

• Local Growth Plan: The Cabinet was to consider the adoption of Gloucestershire's Local Growth Plan (2025–2035), which outlines priorities for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
• Questions at Cabinet Meetings: A session was scheduled to address written questions from County Councillors and the public.
• Minutes of the previous meeting: The confirmation of the minutes from the meeting held on 18 March 2026 was scheduled.
• Declarations of Interest: Members were to declare any pecuniary or personal interests relating to specific matters on the agenda.