Cllr Gareth Kitchen - Green Party

3rd February 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.

Strategy & Resources Committee – 15th Jan 2026

• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – this is a planning charge, introduced in 2017 for Stroud district, to help deliver infrastructure to support the development of the area, related to housing growth, such as roads, schools, and green spaces. It's not designed to meet all the district's infrastructure needs. The CIL fund is split into two funding pots. A Strategic Infrastructure Fund (administered by SDC) and a Neighbourhood proportion fund (administered by the parishes). Since 2017, the ‘Strategic Infrastructure’ fund has received £4.3m. In this year's allocation, four projects were approved for funding:
  • Stroud College – Construction Centre Expansion £60,154
  • GCC Education – Feasibility study for Slimbridge Primary School expansion £60,000
  • GCC Libraries – improved digital centre £29,700
  • Stroud Station Quarter redevelopment feasibility study £94,800
• The Fair Pay and Senior Pay Policy Statement – approved. This statement notes that the ratio between the highest and lowest employees (including apprentices) at Stroud District Council is approx 1:7. There are currently 568 staff employed by SDC, which includes the two leisure centres in Dursley and Stroud.
• Budget Monitoring of General Fund Revenue budget, Housing Revenue Account & Capital Programme.
• City Region Board report
  • Approved the Local Growth Plan as Gloucestershire’s overarching economic strategy, and outlined progress on the new Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) mandated by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill.
  • Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool indicated that the forthcoming 2026 business‑rates “reset” will likely eliminate the pool’s financial benefit, casting doubt on its continuation; consequently future contributions are uncertain. Several Strategic Economic Development Fund bid proposals were approved in an exempt session.
• Leadership Gloucestershire report
  • Noted education and skills challenges in Gloucestershire. This covers financial deficits in higher education, digital‑cyber security skill shortages, and a need for coordinated, cross‑sector initiatives (education, industry, public services) to reduce NEET rates (people Not in Education, Employment or Training). Also noted progress with the Gloucestershire Housing Commission, Local Government Reorganisation (Government consultation on options expected soon), the Strategic Migration Partnership, and an update on the abolition of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
• Video recording

Audit & Standards Committee – 20th Jan 2026

• Planning Enforcement Update – The backlog stands at 181 cases for the team of 4.8 full time staff. Councillors are keen to see this reduced. Service improvements: Formal enforcement actions have risen, professional training is underway for officers, and proactive monitoring of the build out of developments is being piloted to boost early intervention and public confidence.
• An updated Risk and Opportunity Management Framework was approved.
• Treasury Management and Investment Strategies and limits approved.
• We noted the Statement of Accounts 2024/25. This is a fantastic document that clearly lays out all of the Council's activities.
  
• Noted the external auditors reports and checked internal audit activity, including a recent audit of Council Tax and Business Rates Collection, which received a very positive rating.
• Video recording

Development Control Committee – 27th Jan 2026

• S.25/1414/FUL 15 Waterdale Close, Hardwicke. Change of use from C3 to C2 (Care home) for one person with complex needs – APPROVED The Parish Council strongly objected to commercial property in residential area. There were many complaints around intensification of use and parking which it was advised could be accommodated by conditions. Lengthy inquisitive debate, finally approved: 8:2 two abstentions.
• S.25/1855/FUL Wild Goose Lodge, Shepherds Patch, Slimbridge Change of use of youth hostel (Sui Generis) to SEND school F1(a) – APPROVED Ward councillor and Parish Council raise numerous concerns, in particular transport. Approved subject to conditions: 10:0 two abstentions.
• S106 monitoring report. Section 106 agreements are legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken. The report shows where these contributions have been used across the district: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s17860/S106%20Report%20-%20Appendix%20A.pdf)
• Video recording

Licensing Sub-Committee – 28th Jan 2026

• Premises licence for Chalfest Music Festival to be held in July 2026, July 2027 and July 2028 at France Lynch Pleasure Ground, Chalford Hill, Stroud. - GRANTED subject to conditions.
  • Well supported and well managed local event. Comprehensive Event Management Plan
• Video recording

Strategy & Resources Committee – 29th Jan 2026

• Council Tax support scheme to continue, offering up to 100% support for eligible claimants.
• Capital Strategy reviewed and approved.
• Housing Revenue budget recommended for approval. Social and affordable rents would increase by 4.8% along with other increases.
• General Fund Budget – recommended Medium Term Financial Plan for approval, and to increase Council Tax by 2.99% to £250.35 band D. All budget decisions must be agreed by the full council.
• Brimscombe Port redevelopment – The council has de‑risked the site over recent years (£2.4m spent) and is preparing to procure a new developer, with to be appointed in February/March. A Project Board will be formed, with meanwhile‑use community activities planned, pending health‑and‑safety and feasibility assessments.
• Regeneration & Investment Board. The Stroud Station Quarter project is progressing, as noted above a CIL grant for feasibility work has been approved, and this study will progress, even though the Government has not allowed Stroud Station's bid for a lift / step free access to go forward to the 'access for all' funding programme.
• Canal Project – Cotswold Canals Connected Phase 1B – An increased grant of £15.42m (original £8.96m plus £6.46m) enables construction of the Missing Mile project and the Stroudwater Canal reconnection, pending several permits (EA flood‑risk, National Highways easement, planning discharge, land‑access licence). Key upcoming milestones: lift bridge commissioning by end‑Jan 2026, public consultation events (2 Feb–14 Feb).
• Video recording

Other news 

• New – [Stroud District Council's Culture Grants](https://www.stroud.gov.uk/culture-leisure-sports-parks/culture/culture-grants-2026/)** are now open – offering up to £2,000 for arts and culture projects in the district. Applications are welcomed from early career artists, students, arts, culture and community organisations, and charities based in Stroud district. Deadlines run throughout 2026: 2 March, 1 June, 25 September
• Westridge Woods Forestry Management works. A community group has formed to monitor the felling works. A site visit with the Forestry Commission is planned for February. Please let Catherine Braun know if you'd like to take part.
  
• Planning appeals:
  • Land north of Taits Hill Road, Stinchcombe – a planning appeal has been lodged following refusal of planning permission by SDC. The appeal will be dealt with at a Public Inquiry, with dates scheduled for April and May.
    
  • Upper Rushmire Farm, Old London Road, Wotton – appeal against refusal to grant planning permission was allowed, with planning permission granted for rebuild of outbuilding, conversion of barn and adjoining outbuilding to a residential annex and erection of a bat barn.
    
  • Bassett Court, North Nibley – Appeal following refusal of planning permission for a change of use of agricultural buildings to one dwelling. To be decided on basis of written representations.
  • Land At Park Lane (B4060) Stancombe – Appeal following the refusal of planning permission – to be decided on the basis of written representations
• Survey on Stratford Park Stroud and Active Lifestyles Stroud – open until 13 February – Survey
• SDC and Hartbury University held a farm workshop on 23 January in Stroud, to support the farming community to build resilience, boost profitability and protect the environment (link)
• Clean Air Night (22 January) – tips to reduce smoke and improve air quality (link)
• Garden waste collection service. Bookings now open
• Postal voters: time to check if you need to reapply
• Stroud District Council wins top RSPCA PawPrints Awards for outstanding animal welfare
• Museum in the Park opens playful new show exploring inventive automata

Prepared by Cllr Gareth Kitchen (Green) based on councillor activity in January with updates from Cllr Linda Cohen (Lib Dem) & Cllr Catherine Braun (Green). #sdc