Cllr Gareth Kitchen - Green Party

1st July 2026

Along with residents' casework, and in addition to council and training meetings at Ebley Mill, Cllrs. Kitchen, Braun & Cohen attended the regular council meetings at North Nibley, Stinchcombe & Wotton-under-Edge.

Council Meetings

Link to meeting agenda and documents in the committee title.

Development Control Committee – 2nd June

• S.23/1451/OUT Land Northwest of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire: The application (validated July 2023) proposes up to 635 residential dwellings (up to 191 affordable), a primary school and sports and recreation facilities.
  An appeal against non-determination of the application had been made by the applicant (Robert Hitchins Limited & Redrow Homes Limited), and the purpose of this Committee meeting was to review the officer's report. The application is opposed by Standish and Great Oldbury parish councils and falls outside of the settlement boundary in the adopted 2015 Local Plan. Committee agreed with the officer recommendation to refuse the application along with reasons but no decision notice will be issued. The outcome will shape the council's engagement with the inspector at the forthcoming appeal in September.
• Video recording (95 views)

Extraordinary Strategy and Resources Committee – 3rd June

• Lido Opening Project Update: Committee agreed to allocate an additional £276,000, bringing the total project cost to £476,000 to repair the Stratford Park Lido in Stroud. The funding covers short-term repairs, enabling works, and essential surveys to put the Lido in the best position possible to reopen for summer 2026 and operate during the 2027 season, while longer-term options for the site continue to be developed in partnership with community representatives. Fortnightly updates on project progress are shared on the SDC website. The 25 June update reports that the principal contractor continues to make good progress in line with the programme. Works are scheduled to be completed with the Lido reopening on 14 August with the potential for an earlier opening date of 29 July if works progress smoothly.
  
• Video recording (356 views)

Community Services and Licensing Committee – 4th June

• Taxi Fares 2026: Approved an average 5.7% increase to taxi fares. A majority of consulted taxi licence holders supported the rise due to increased fuel and living costs, likely to take effect from 13th July 2026.
• Public Spaces Protection Orders – alcohol consumption: Supported a proposal to extend two existing PSPOs restricting alcohol consumption in Stroud and Dursley town centres for a further 3 years. The extension, supported by the police, aims to continue providing early intervention powers against alcohol-related anti-social behaviour. A statutory consultation is now being undertaken until 2 August to inform the final decision (see consultation press release)
• Crisis & Resilience Fund: This fund was previously known as the Household Support Fund and is the UK Government's response to cost-of-living pressures for communities. The fund now has more focus on longer-term prevention of crisis, financial resilience and community coordination and less focus on short-term crisis response. The SDC allocation is £227,430 and committee approved the proposed distribution of the Fund allocation through community partnerships (including community hubs), focusing on long-term financial resilience rather than short-term crisis aid. Community transport pilots also discussed. To note: GCC has a £5.7m allocation from this national fund which was considered in March 2026 (report). Gloucestershire residents can now apply online here for emergency financial support.
• Member Reports
  • Museum in the Park achieved record visitor numbers and advanced its National Lottery Heritage Fund bid to reimagine the facility. Key updates include a new migration display, systems upgrades, and recruitment to replace the retired Volunteer Coordinator.
  • Police and Crime Panel. Webcam and minutes available from GCC.
• Video recording (42 views)

Housing Committee – 9th June

• Public questions: Concern about pedestrian safety on South Street, Uley, relating to the Swedish Timber housing application.
• Swedish Timber Houses – Uley: In March 2024 a decision was made by the Housing Committee to add three Swedish Timber sites in Uley, Stinchcombe and Wotton to the New Homes and Regeneration programme and progress redevelopment for the provision of new council homes, subject to planning permission. This further report addressed the highway safety and infrastructure concerns raised by Uley Parish Council and local residents. Surveys have now been conducted including three road safety audits confirming safe access and a drainage strategy reducing surface water discharge by 40%, pending formal planning submission. The Uley scheme is anticipated to deliver 18 carefully designed affordable homes, providing a mix of dwelling types tailored to meet identified housing need through rent and shared ownership tenures. All homes will achieve an EPC rating of A, with solar panels, Air Source Heat Pumps and EV charging points. The Committee resolved unanimously to approve the proposed redevelopment proposals for The Knoll, Uley.
• Funding for 16 new homes to support the homeless and Afghan Resettlement: Following an application in December 2025, SDC has been allocated a further £2.6m towards the purchase of 16 properties in the District from the Local Authority Housing Fund. SDC will commit the remaining costs to meet the total budget of £5.2m. There will be eight properties for the resettlement of people on the Afghan Resettlement Programme and eight for temporary accommodation for homeless people in the district, and the properties will form a permanent addition to the council housing stock.
  
• Warm Homes funding: SDC has applied for additional grant funding from the Government's Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund, to deliver fabric insulation works for an additional 50 council homes, on top of the 507 homes which are already due to be improved through this funding in 2026/27. SDC will match fund the grant with an additional £402k. It is expected that all social rented homes will be required to meet EPC-C standards by 2030 and this extra funding will help SDC to meet these new requirements. SDC has already achieved an average of EPC-C across the whole of the council housing stock.
• Tenant voice and tenant satisfaction: Committee agreed to new proposals for selecting and recommending tenant representatives to join the Housing Committee and noted the new tenant engagement arrangements to provide a stronger tenant voice through a Tenant Oversight Panel. Committee also reviewed tenant satisfaction measures which have been shared with the Regulator of Social Housing.
  
• Member / officer reports: Were shared on the Housing Oversight Board, the Decent Homes Standard and compliance with Regulatory Consumer Standards for social housing.
  
• Video recording (85 views)

Extraordinary Council – 10th June

• Local Government Reorganisation – Structural Changes Order for Gloucestershire: SDC reviewed and commented on the proposed joint response with six other Gloucestershire councils about the Structural Changes Order, a legal requirement to implement local government reorganisation, in relation to the three unitary council proposals under consideration. In terms of naming of the future unitary councils, it was agreed that if a single unitary council is selected, it should be called Gloucestershire Council. If the two unitary council option is chosen, the councils should be called East Gloucestershire and West Gloucestershire (which would include Stroud District). If the Gloucester doughnut / Greater Gloucester option is selected, the two councils should be called 'Greater Gloucester' and Gloucestershire Council. Proposed shadow authority structures were also agreed. The councils have now submitted their representations to the Secretary of State who is expected to make a decision on 17 July. Shadow unitary authorities are expected to be elected in May 2027 and to take over responsibilities from the District Councils and County Council in April 2028.
• Video recording (82 views)

Environment Committee – 11th June

• Public footpath diversion order Standish EST 43: Committee agreed that a long-stalled 2005 order to divert a small section of public footpath in Standish should be abandoned. There had previously been objections to the proposed diversion and there has since been a change in land ownership. The existing footpath remains in place and is unaffected. GCC's Public Rights of Way team requested the change and can pursue a fresh diversion order if required.
• Extending Public Spaces Protection Orders – dog fouling and control: Committee supported the proposal for dog control rules for Stroud District to be extended for a further three years, and subject to public consultation. These rules require removal of dog poo and obeying lead directives across Stroud district and apply to all public land. Requirements about excluding dogs are limited to signed play areas and sports facilities. Keeping dogs on leads applies only to specific designated zones like cemeteries and canal towpaths. A statutory consultation is now being undertaken until 2 August to inform the final decision (see consultation press release)
• Member Reports
  • Walking and Cycling Fund: Infrastructure projects in the Stroud district. Since December 2025, three projects totalling approximately £47k have been completed, including Stroud Town Centre waymarking and the Pederson Way feasibility study. Four additional projects remain underway, such as bike rack installations. The Wotton-Charfield Greenway design phase, originally projected spend of £75,000 is now expected to come under budget to less than £40,000, with a design phase target completion date of March 2027. The project is managed by GCC, with design work by Walk, Wheel and Cycle Trust. April 2026 saw the Pederson Way (originally known as Cam, Dursley and Uley Greenway) opening event. Most projects are managed or match-funded by GCC and local councils.
  • Gloucestershire Resource and Waste Partnership: This year's work focused on building momentum toward Local Government Reform through a cross-party senior officer group that advanced circular economy principles (reuse over recycling) and established new litter enforcement approaches, including an innovative university collaboration app to track fly-tipping and shift responsibility back to polluters.
• Video recording (22 views)

Strategy and Resources Committee – 18th June

• Council's Communications Strategy: Committee approved the new strategy which sees SDC adopting more planned, campaign-led approaches, and using email newsletters as another way to engage with residents directly, while maintaining non-digital access points for inclusivity. The action plan also embraces digital marketing techniques.
• Canalside Land, Stonehouse Community Asset Transfer: Committee agreed that after many years of joint working with the community, the SDC-owned land in Stonehouse known as the Former Ship Inn site, or Canalside site on the A419, should be transferred to Stonehouse Town Council for a nominal sum. There was a good turnout from the community to hear this item. The business case from SpICE (Ship Inn Community Enterprise), a Stonehouse Town Council Working Group, will see the site used by the community. Currently it is open on the first Sunday of the month with family friendly activities, and will be part of the Stonehouse Canal Festival on Sunday 5 July. See press release: Community vision for Stonehouse Canalside moves forward
• Economic Development – revised delivery framework: Committee agreed to a revised framework for the final two years of SDC's work until a new unitary council is in place. This reflects the council's recently approved Climate and Nature Strategy, Culture Strategy, and implementation of its Community Wealth Building Action Plan, and emphasises the role of the creative and green economies in the economic health of the district. The new framework sets out the five themes, with funding allocated to support this work within the financial outturn report. The priorities are: 1. Green & Inclusive Economy, 2. People & Skills, 3. Investment & Enterprise, 4. Sustainable Tourism & Market Towns, 5. Planning & Infrastructure. For each priority there is a strategic area of work and numerous opportunities identified.
• Council Plan Review: Agreed that committee workshops will be held in the autumn to prioritise items in the Council Plan to meet budget savings targets for the council's five-year Medium Term Financial Plan. This reflects lower than expected funding from Government to SDC.
• Regeneration and Investment Board:
  • Brimscombe Port: Seeking a new developer after previous withdrawal. The aim is to launch the new procurement process in July 2026. Soft market testing has demonstrated positive interest. Progress includes appointment of a procurement consultant, establishment of a Project Board including community representation, redrafting the Development Agreement, Biodiversity Net Gain surveys and site clearance works.
    
  • Stroud Station Quarter: A proposal for new homes on the site is progressing in partnership with key stakeholders including Network Rail, GWR and government departments. It is still in the de-risking phase; the proposal for a station lift has not secured funding from the Access for All fund, but feasibility funding has been secured. This project is also noted as an amber risk; committee approval to be sought later in 2026 for collaboration and delivery arrangements, subject to viability outcomes. Public questions earlier in the meeting raised concerns about the potential loss of Cheapside parking if the project goes ahead.
    
  • Both the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) programmes closed on 31 March 2026; there is no successor funding available for Gloucestershire.
  • Market Towns Vitality Fund is fully allocated and has now closed. Most projects are expected to complete this month. The underspend has been distributed to towns for additional initiatives alongside a district-wide marketing project.
  • Town of Culture. Stroud's application submitted. Shortlisted bids will receive development funding.
  • Stroud Town Centre Regeneration. Governance alignment needed between two existing groups with different focus to reduce duplication.
  • LGR procurement implications: as tighter contract scrutiny and potential restrictions during the vesting period are expected, careful planning will be required to ensure continuity of projects.
• Canal Update: Crossing of the canal under the M5 now commencing after all necessary permits from the EA and National Highways have been secured along with completed planning conditions. The project involves multiple contractor appointments across groundworks, piling, and design phases. Ongoing negotiations with Ecotricity for a temporary footpath and an agreed long-term lease agreement for operations and maintenance under the motorway. Key project risks: ensuring successful delivery of the M5 Crossing project in line with the agreed licences, permission, engineering programme, budget, design and quality.
• Sale of a private residential property, Dursley: Agreed that the council will pursue an enforced sale of a private property in Dursley to minimise the council's ongoing costs and to approve in principle the write-off of the council's costs which are above the market value of the property. A partial collapse of the gable end wall at the property some years ago led the council to exercise its general duty to take enforcement action to safeguard the occupant of the property and members of the public / neighbours and to put in place a scaffold rig to support the wall and prevent further collapse.
• Video recording (83 views)

Other News

• Stroud District Council secures £225,000 funding to support refurbishment of homes for veterans
• Councillors unanimously approve funding to progress Stratford Park Lido reopening. Progress report.
• Meningitis Now named as Stroud District Council's new Charity of the Year
• Summer holiday passport for leisure and activity access (£37 for six weeks) – Active Lifestyles bookings open soon
• Enjoy outdoor theatre across Stroud district this summer
• Play Strategy Consultation open until 10 August. Please take part and promote – particularly to young people.
• Consultation until 2 August on important powers to help curb street drinking and control dogs

Prepared by Cllr. Gareth Kitchen (Green) and Cllr Catherine Braun (Green) based on councillor activity in June with updates from Cllr. Linda Cohen (Lib Dem).