Local Government Review (LGR) – This certainly isn’t the update I was expecting to give you!  Following the change of Prime Minister and as a result of several applications for a Judicial Review by other councils, the government has decided to ‘put on hold’ plans for LGR in 14 areas including Gloucestershire. The previous ambitious timescales mean there is no chance that any changes will be made before local elections in May, so instead of choosing councillors for a new county wide administration, the elections will be for Cotswold District Council – which was due to be abolished in 2028.  Confused? I’m not surprised!
Preparations for the LGR changes have put an enormous strain on the officers throughout the county and have come at a huge financial cost.  It also means more uncertainty for the public and will be of particular concern for employees – we are now left not knowing what will happen beyond 2028.  If the plans are resurrected it could mean another election at a cost of around £250k just in the CDC area alone, in addition to ramping up the programme of work to make it happen.
I’ve asked the council leader to claim back the costs incurred from the government – it might at least deter them from launching ill thought out initiatives that cost us millions!

The Electoral Matters Working Group has considered a review of polling stations, and a report will be presented to Council on 23 September with proposals for change to be consulted on. Every polling station needs a Presiding Officer and Poll Clerk, along with the necessary stationery and equipment to run the poll effectively.  Other costs include building hire and delivery/collection of polling screens. The aim of the changes is to make savings and improve efficiency while still ensuring polling places remain convenient for electors.  The proposed changes in Grumbolds Ash are:

Please let me know your thoughts.

Councillor Tony Slater
Cotswold District Council, Representing Grumbolds Ash with Avening.
email: Tony.slater@cotswold.gov.uk Tel: 07793669930

Local Plan – Critically important!

An Extraordinary Council meeting was held on 12^th August to discuss the new Local Plan, and was probably the most important meeting since I have been a councillor.  Let me recap on why this 7300-page(!) document is so important, when we already had a perfectly good, adopted plan that meets the district’s needs – the Labour government has dictated the Cotswold  District must build some 18000 houses by 2043.  The nationally protected Cotswold Landscape (previously known as the AONB, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) covers 80% of the district, meaning all the development must happen in two thin ribbons at the top and bottom of our area – locally this covers roughly Tetbury to Fairford, so approximately 9000 homes need to be squeezed in here.

In a big change to the original draft, the bulk of development is focussed on several ‘strategic sites’ including Cirencester and surrounding areas, with several thousand houses planned, plus Kemble where 1000 homes are planned. This could mean an additional 18000 vehicles commuting around Cirencester and along the A417; many thousands of additional nursery and school places required; much greater demand on already creaking health services; and a loss of natural habitat and agriculture.
In the Grumbold’s Ash ward there is now no building requirement, and while this is largely good news, the wider impact around the strategic sites will change the Cotswolds for ever!

The weighty document goes into some detail on the need for associated infrastructure and provision of commercial sites to provide jobs, but there is no guarantee of government or local funding, and developers will ALWAYS try to wriggle out of (and are often successful) funding local facilities. So there is no guarantee the required infrastructure will happen.

So, what is the alternative? Without an adopted plan government could impose building where it sees fit, and developers could attempt speculative applications in unsuitable areas; but they already do this.  Would no plan and the risk of occasional development be worse than committing to building 18000 houses? There is an argument that the plan will provide built communities rather than a collection of developments. I think that just accepting the government’s numbers (which the whole council agree is ludicrous), is reckless and commits the council, which won’t exist in 18 months, to ruining our beautiful district. This is why I voted against the plan.

However, the vote was narrowly won, with several Lib Dems abstaining or voting against.  The plan will now go to the government inspector to be validated.

This is where you come in!

There is a 6-week consultation period from 24^th August where the public can voice their views and give arguments where they think the plan is lacking, and I would urge everyone to follow the links from the CDC website and have your say.

Councillor Tony Slater
Cotswold District Council, Representing Grumbolds Ash with Avening.
email: Tony.slater@cotswold.gov.uk Tel: 07793669930

Gloucestershire County Council Member Report – Tetbury Division

Councillor Ian Watson
Gloucestershire County Council – Tetbury Division
Reporting Period: June 2026 – July 2026

Introduction

This report summarises my activities as Gloucestershire County Councillor for the Tetbury Division between June 2026 and July 2026. During this period I have continued to represent residents on county-wide matters while working closely with local communities, parish councils, Gloucestershire County Council officers, partner agencies and fellow councillors.

My work has focused on highways, public transport, adult and children’s services, community safety, Local Government Reorganisation, and supporting residents through individual casework.

 

Local Government Reorganisation

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) has remained one of the most significant issues facing Gloucestershire during this reporting period.

The Government consulted on proposals for the future structure of local government in Gloucestershire and is expected to announce its decision during Summer 2026. Gloucestershire County Council and district councils have continued preparatory work to ensure that whichever model is selected can be implemented effectively and with minimal disruption to services.

As a County Councillor, I have attended member briefings and reviewed updates relating to the proposed future arrangements, ensuring that the interests of Tetbury and surrounding rural communities are properly understood within discussions about governance, service delivery and local representation.

 

Highways and Transport

Highways continue to generate the largest volume of resident enquiries.

Issues raised during this period have included:

• Road surface condition and pothole repairs.
• Drainage and flooding concerns.
• Road safety.
• Speeding traffic.
• Footway maintenance.
• Signage and road markings.
• Rural road maintenance.

I have worked with Gloucestershire Highways officers to progress reported defects and investigate concerns raised by residents and parish councils.

Particular emphasis has been placed upon ensuring that safety issues are assessed promptly and that residents are kept informed of progress wherever possible.

 

Public Transport

Access to transport remains a key issue, particularly for rural communities.

Throughout this period I have:

• Monitored local bus service provision.
• Raised concerns regarding service reliability where reported.
• Supported discussions around improving rural connectivity.
• Signposted residents to available community transport schemes.

Reliable public transport remains essential for access to employment, education, healthcare and shopping facilities.

 

Children’s Services and Education

Gloucestershire County Council’s responsibility for education and children’s services remains central to its work.

During this period I have:

• Responded to enquiries from parents and guardians.
• Assisted residents with issues relating to school admissions and transport.
• Monitored county-wide developments within education services.
• Supported initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people.

I continue to recognise the importance of ensuring that families in Tetbury can access high-quality educational opportunities and support services.

 

Adult Social Care and Health

Adult social care continues to represent one of the County Council’s largest and most important service areas.

Topics raised with me by residents have included:

• Care assessments.
• Access to support services.
• Provision for older residents.
• Support for carers.
• Mental health services.
• Hospital discharge arrangements.

Where appropriate I have worked with officers and partner organisations to ensure residents receive advice, assistance and timely responses to concerns.

 

Community Safety

Community safety remains an important issue for residents throughout the Tetbury Division.

During the reporting period I have engaged with residents and partner agencies regarding:

• Anti-social behaviour.
• Rural crime.
• Road safety.
• Speed enforcement concerns.
• Community resilience planning.

Maintaining strong partnerships between councils, police, voluntary organisations and local communities remains essential in addressing these issues effectively.

 

Environment and Climate Issues

Environmental matters continue to feature prominently in resident correspondence.

Issues considered during this period include:

• Flood prevention and drainage.
• Protection of the local environment.
• Biodiversity initiatives.
• Highway verge management.
• Energy and sustainability matters.

As a rural division, environmental concerns are often closely linked to agriculture, transport infrastructure and the protection of Gloucestershire’s countryside.

 

Parish Council and Community Engagement

Regular engagement with parish and town councils remains a vital element of my role.

During this reporting period I have maintained contact with:

• Tetbury Town Council.
• Parish councils across the division.
• Community organisations.
• Local charities and voluntary groups.
• Residents’ associations.

These meetings and discussions provide valuable insight into local priorities and enable concerns to be escalated appropriately within the County Council.

 

Resident Casework

Supporting residents remains a key priority.

Casework undertaken during this period has covered:

• Highway defects.
• Road safety concerns.
• Education matters.
• Social care enquiries.
• Public transport issues.
• Flooding and drainage concerns.
• Signposting to council and partner services.

Each case has been progressed through the appropriate channels with the aim of securing timely outcomes for residents.

 

County Council Meetings and Member Development

Throughout this reporting period I have participated in:

• Gloucestershire County Council meetings.
• Member briefings.
• Local Government Reorganisation updates.
• Service-specific briefings.
• Parish and community meetings.

These engagements ensure that I remain informed of policy developments and able to represent the interests of Tetbury residents effectively.

 

Priorities for the Coming Months

My priorities for the remainder of 2026 include:

1. Supporting the implementation of the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation decision.
2. Continuing to advocate for improvements to local highways and road safety.
3. Supporting vulnerable residents through access to adult and children’s services.
4. Working with parish councils and community groups across the division.
5. Promoting improved public transport and rural connectivity.
6. Responding promptly to resident enquiries and casework.
7. Ensuring that Tetbury’s voice continues to be heard in county-wide decision making.

 

Conclusion

It remains a privilege to serve as County Councillor for the Tetbury Division. I would like to thank residents, parish councils, community organisations and council officers for their continued engagement and support.

I remain committed to representing the interests of Tetbury and the surrounding communities, ensuring that local concerns are heard and that residents receive effective representation at Gloucestershire County Council.

Cllr Ian Watson
County Councillor for Tetbury Division
Gloucestershire County Council
July 2026

 

Roads: I finally received a response from the Head of Highways, or rather the Permit Scheme Manager, and our local Highways Manager.  The long explanation as to why they close roads for works is mainly around health and safety – there must be a minimum width on the carriageway for passing traffic to protect the workforce.  This is fine, but both the Easter Tetbury/Long Newton closure, and the more recent Avening-Nailsworth 8 -week closure could have been opened out of working hours.  This would involve the traffic management company (obviously a sub-contractor, usually from the West Midlands) setting up traffic lights each evening and taking them down again in the morning, so the short answer why we suffer long road closures is… MONEY!
I also challenged the necessity of placing ‘road closed’ signs many miles away from the actual works.  This is done because any diversions must be on the same class of road.  This is fine, but why don’t they have the exact location of the closure to give motorists the option of adjusting their route, or not?  I was informed there is no statutory obligation to provide additional information, but they will take this feedback into consideration during the next review and encourage utility and traffic management companies to provide additional information on the signs.

Following several chasers I also received a call from Severn Trent in relation to the ongoing sewage discharges into the stream from the treatment plant at Avening.  Work was ongoing last year to install additional holding pools to contain storm water prior to treatment.  The system went live in January, and since then there have been zero incidences of sewage leaks, and the really good news is that the reedbed system is so well specified that they are confident there will be no more leaks during the life of the system!

At the June Overview & Scrutiny (O&S) meeting, we reviewed the latest Financial and Performance reports, which were generally satisfactory.  The one huge ongoing concern is the under-performance of the Planning Enforcement team, which still has a hardcore backlog of some 700 cases.  A triage process now prioritises listed buildings and tree works for new cases, but unfortunately if you are reporting a lower priority planning breach you will be waiting a long time for the case to be actioned. It was interesting that the ‘backlog’ date was fixed in 2024 following an independent review, and I challenged that this date should move with the passage of time.  In reality, the true backlog is likely to be much higher than 700 cases.

We should receive a response from the government in mid-July to advise us which option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) they have decided to apply, so more about that next month.  Also due in August is the draft Local Plan.  This will be debated at O&S, and an Extraordinary full Council on 12^th August.  So, an unusually busy summer at CDC!

Councillor Tony Slater
Cotswold District Council, Representing Grumbolds Ash with Avening.
email: Tony.slater@cotswold.gov.uk Tel: 07793669930

At the May Overview & Scrutiny (O&S) meeting, we reviewed the proposals for changes to Waste Collection. The administration plans to remove the so called ‘Bring Site’ service which are the collection bins at supermarkets and car parks. This will save a modest £30kPA, but will allow for the introduction of statutory kerbside collection of plastic bags and wrapping from April 2027.
Less palatable are their plans to change other collections – paper and card are to be amalgamated, but we will continue to use the dreadful blue sacks, despite acknowledging they are not fit for purpose due to the increased volume of card from households.  With Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) now very much being planned, I asked why we couldn’t adopt a ‘mixed recycling’ approach with appropriate bins, such as those used in the Stroud district, especially as we are ordering brand new bin lorries.  The response was that it wasn’t possible as we have a large stock of blue bags! So, dear reader, we will be stuck with these horrible things for at least another 6 years! The final piece of their plan is to reduce the size of the residual waste black bins – for all new homes, and any replacement bins will be 140 litres instead of the current 180.  These measures were later agreed buy the Cabinet.

Several updates for long running water issues around Cherington and Avening – after 6 years, the Environment Agency are reviewing recently received reparation plans from a local landowner who created a new dam without permission and damaged the associated water course, contributing to the Avening brook repeatedly running dry – I will be able to comment on the plans in due course.  In a related action, the long-awaited report into the impacts of abstraction on our local waterways is due for publication in the next few weeks.
However, the reason for continued sewage discharges into the stream still hasn’t been explained, and I have chased Severn Trent for an urgent response.

I sometimes share with you the topics I receive in my inbox – the vast majority relate to run of the mill queries on potholes (report these via Fix My Street), closed roads (very annoying when unnecessary), planning and enforcement issues, and rubbish collection. However, the last week has thrown up a couple of unusual cases – I had a report of a bin man relieving himself on more than one occasion on private land!  The resident reported this to CDC, and I took it up the line to senior management who were equally shocked.  The individual wasn’t identified, but crews were reminded they should use the welfare procedures issued to them and not have a ‘country one’ in people’s gardens.
I had a call from a lady in distress because a grass snake had become trapped in a garden net. I didn’t know any local snake charmers, so donned some wellies and was able to free the stricken reptile.  It was a little worse for wear but slid off into the undergrowth to nurse its damaged tail.

Councillor Tony Slater
Cotswold District Council, Representing Grumbolds Ash with Avening.
email: Tony.slater@cotswold.gov.uk Tel: 07793669930

County Councillor Report – Tetbury Division

Councillor: Ian Watson Reporting Period: May 2026

1. Introduction

This report provides an overview of Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) activity during May 2026, together with updates and issues affecting the Tetbury Division. It reflects ongoing work across highways, transport, education, social care, and local community matters.

2. County Council Highlights (May 2026)

Following the delivery activity seen in April, May has focused on forward planning and continued service delivery across GCC priorities.

Transport and Strategic Planning

• GCC launched early engagement on a new Local Transport Plan, which will guide transport policy and investment across Gloucestershire for the next 15+ years.

• The plan aims to address challenges such as congestion, rural connectivity, and carbon reduction, while improving access to jobs, education, and services.

Community Services and Public Engagement

• Ongoing engagement exercises across the county are encouraging residents to input into future transport and infrastructure priorities.

• GCC remains focused on maintaining key community services, including libraries, registration services, and fire and rescue provision following policy developments in April.

Education and Families

• Work continues to expand SEND capacity and improve support for children and young people, building on the investment programmes already underway earlier this year.

Support for Residents

• The recently introduced Crisis and Resilience Fund continues to support vulnerable households facing financial pressures, particularly in the context of ongoing cost-of-living challenges.

3. Highways, Transport and Infrastructure

Highways and transport remain key priorities for residents and the County Council.• Development of the Local Transport Plan will shape future decisions on roads, buses, walking, and cycling infrastructure across Gloucestershire.

• Ongoing investment programmes continue to focus on:

o Road maintenance and resurfacing

o Road safety improvements, including 20mph schemes

o Bus and public transport provision through national funding programmes

For rural areas such as Tetbury, accessibility and road safety continue to be consistently raised concerns.

4. Economy and Environment

• The wider Cotswold area continues to experience economic pressures affecting local businesses and town centres, alongside ongoing uncertainty around costs and investment.

• Environmental protection remains a strong focus locally, particularly in the context of planning proposals affecting sensitive landscapes.

5. Local Issues – Tetbury Division

Planning and Development

• The proposed development of land near Highgrove (up to 135 homes) remains a significant local issue following initial reporting in April.

• Concerns continue to be raised regarding:

o Impact on the Cotswold National Landscape

o Infrastructure capacity (roads, healthcare, parking)

o The cumulative effect of recent housing growth in Tetbury

This is expected to remain a key issue in the coming months as proposals develop.

Transport and Parking

• Ongoing concerns persist around:

o Town centre parking pressures

o Traffic levels and speeding in residential areas

• These issues align with GCC’s wider work on road safety and transport planning, and resident engagement will be important as future strategies are developed.

Community and Events

• Tetbury continues to benefit from a strong programme of community activity, including:

o Local cultural and community events

o Environmental and voluntary sector initiatives• Events such as the Westonbirt 10K (29 April) and other spring activities have supported local engagement and visitor activity into May.

Local Governance

• A vacancy on Tetbury Town Council was confirmed at the end of April, with co-option arrangements progressing into May.

6. Engagement and Casework

During May I have:

• Continued to respond to casework relating to highways, parking, and local services

• Engaged with GCC officers regarding road maintenance and transport concerns

• Worked with parish and town councils on local priorities

• Monitored planning proposals affecting the Tetbury area

Resident contact remains an important part of identifying and addressing local issues.

7. Looking Ahead (June–July 2026)

Key areas of focus over the coming months include:

• Resident engagement on the Local Transport Plan consultation

• Continued delivery of highways maintenance and road safety schemes

• Progression of local planning matters affecting Tetbury

• Ongoing support for vulnerable residents through GCC funding programmes

8. Conclusion

May 2026 has been focused on forward planning, particularly in relation to transport and infrastructure. Locally, planning pressures and transport concerns remain key issues for Tetbury residents.

I will continue to work with GCC colleagues, local councils, and residents to ensure that the needs of the division are represented and addressed.

Cllr Ian Watson Gloucestershire County Council – Tetbury Division