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Following the decision by the CIL Joint Committee, GCC is pleased to have received the successful allocation of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Infrastructure Fund, collected over the joint charging authority areas of Cheltenham Borough, Gloucester City, and Tewkesbury Borough Councils.

Since its adoption in 2018 and coming into effect on January 1, 2019, CIL has enabled significant progress in local infrastructure development.

At its meeting on 4 March the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Joint Committee approved a total of 12 high-performing schemes which were submitted for consideration in the current round of CIL Infrastructure Fund allocation. These proposals, assessed against strict framework, have demonstrated their value and importance to Gloucestershire.

The joint committee sought to adopt a flexible approach to the allocation of CIL, ensuring that the most impactful projects receive the necessary funding.

The Joint Committee has agreed to allocate 75% of the current Infrastructure Fund, amounting to £13,763,280, to the following key projects: 

• M5 Junction 10 Scheme – up to £10,000,000 
• M5 Junction 9 and A46 (Ashchurch) Transport Scheme – £1,000,000 
• Mass Rapid Transport – £1,000,000 
• Cheltenham Spa Railway Enhancements (Honeybourne Line cycle path extension) – £770,424 
• Cheltenham Cycle Spine (Extension to Bishops Cleeve) – £592,856 
• Gloucester to Haresfield Cycle Spine Design – £400,000

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning for Gloucestershire County Council, said: “This is a fantastic step forward for Gloucestershire. The funding allocated through the CIL Infrastructure Fund will significantly enhance our transport infrastructure, making it safer and more efficient for our residents. These projects will not only improve connectivity but also support sustainable development across the county. We are committed to continuing our collaborative efforts with Cheltenham Borough, Gloucester City, and Tewkesbury Borough Councils to ensure the successful delivery of these vital schemes.”

The remaining 25% of the Infrastructure Fund, totalling £4,587,760, will be ringfenced for future projects of local strategic significance. These schemes will be brought back to the CIL Joint Committee for consideration at a later date.

Gloucestershire County Council looks forward to the positive impact these projects will have on the community and remains dedicated to fostering growth and development through strategic infrastructure investments.

Tewkesbury Borough has a rich history and the town itself is known for the Battle of Tewkesbury, the Abbey and lots of other beautiful historic buildings – even the oldest pub in Gloucestershire!

When I mention living in Tewkesbury to someone who isn’t local however, they quite often say “that’s the place that floods!”. They’re not wrong – Tewkesbury town is situated right between both the Severn and Avon rivers, and flooding here has been a common occurrence for hundreds of years, with records dating all the way back to the 15th century.

We’re continuously reviewing and looking at how we can improve our approach to emergencies, especially the more frequent occurrence of flooding – no flooding event is ever quite the same, although the affected areas in the borough normally are.

Click here to read the full article on the Tewkesbury Borough Council website

Joe Cole
Associate Director – Cyber, Digital and IT 

Tewkesbury Borough Council has approved a budget for 2025/26, which sees its council tax rate remaining as one of the lowest in the country.

On Tuesday 25 February, the council agreed a balanced budget of £13,450,226. This includes an increase in council tax for a band D property of £5 per year, from £144.36 to £149.36.

Councillor Stewart Dove, Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management, said: “It is pleasing that this budget has been approved by the Council with cross-party support; this means that across the 2025/2026 financial year, the Tewkesbury Borough average householder will pay the council less than £2.90 per week to have bins emptied, food premises inspected, fly tips cleared and all our other vital services delivered.

“Less than 8% of the total council tax that householders pay goes towards covering the cost of services provided by the borough council – as the whole bill also supports the county council, local parish and town councils, and the county’s police and crime commissioner – but we will nevertheless be seeking to provide excellent value for money as always and deliver on our council ambitions. I’m especially pleased that this budget will support this administration’s commitment to tackling the climate and ecological emergency including our investment in hydrated vegetable oil will see an 80-90% reduction in vehicle emissions where it is used by our waste and recycling crews.

“Despite the financial challenges facing the council due to further cuts in central government financial support for local councils after more than a decade of austerity, and with the borough rapidly expanding, it is pleasing to note that this budget has not required any reductions to services currently provided by the council and has allowed for some further investment in some of our key services such as Environmental Health and Planning, as well as our flood response.”

The budget is based on continuing current council services and the Council Plan. As the council continues to work with neighbouring councils in light of the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation, the budget will be reviewed, ensuring resources and funding meet its needs and prepare for the formation of a new unitary authority.

To view the full budget visit tewkesbury.gov.uk

Flood Alert in force: River Severn in Gloucestershire.

Flooding is possible for: River Severn from Tewkesbury to Gloucester.

Be prepared.

River levels are rising at the Upper Pound Gauge, Tewkesbury as a result of heavy rainfall. Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is possible from 12:00 onwards today, 24/02/2025.  We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent to the River Severn from Tewkesbury to Gloucester. Predicted peaks:- Upper Pound, Tewkesbury 2.8 – 3.1m on Tuesday afternoon, 25/02/2025.   
Further isolated showers are forecast over the next 48 hours.  We expect river levels to remain high for the next few days.
We are closely monitoring the situation.
Please avoid using low lying footpaths near local watercourses and plan driving routes to avoid low lying roads near rivers, which may be flooded.
This message will be updated by 10:00 on 25/02/25, or as the situation changes.

To check the latest information for your area
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* Visit the GOV.UK website to see the current flood warnings, view river and sea levels or check the 5-day flood risk forecast: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/target-area/031WAF214

* Or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 using quickdial code: 209024.

* Follow @EnvAgency and #floodaware on Twitter.

* Tune into weather, news and travel bulletins on local television and radio.

What you should consider doing now
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* Monitor local water levels and weather conditions.  

* Get ready to act on your flood plan if you have one.

* Move your car or other vehicles to higher ground, if it is safe to do so.

* Prepare a flood kit of essential items including a torch with spare batteries, mobile phone and charger, warm clothes, insurance documents, water, food, first aid kit and any prescription medicines or baby care items you may need.

* Businesses should inform staff and customers about the situation.

* Check that you know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water mains supplies.

* In rural locations, farmers should consider moving livestock and equipment away from areas likely to flood.

* Avoid walking, cycling or driving through flood water. 30 cm of fast-flowing water can move a car and 6 inches can knock an adult off their feet. 

* Flood water is dangerous and may be polluted. Wash your hands thoroughly if you’ve been in contact with it. 

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With regard to the proposed Chestnut Tree Farm development of 85 new homes, last year, the Planning Inspector ruled in favour to permit the planning application on appeal but with certain conditions, specifically, “Condition 12” which stated that “no dwelling was to connect to the public sewer until upgrades have been carried out to the public sewerage system”. 

The Developer wanted to remove this condition and instead, make the connection subject to drainage plans approval by the Tewkesbury Borough Council (TBC) Planning authority, on the basis that by the time the connection will fall due, Severn Trent Water (STW) will have upgraded anyway!

All the residential areas in this map frequently experience foul water flooding.

Arrows show the direction of sewage, arriving from Sandhurst, and then on to Innsworth. 

Heavy or persistent rain infiltrates the crumbling network of pipes and pumps, and both villages frequently suffer faeces swilling about on pavements and in people’s properties, forced up by surface floodwater – which shouldn’t be entering the system.

1. Twigworth lay-by Pumping Station – People in the area experience human waste backing up in their toilets.
2. Pumping Station by entrance to Wallsworth Lane – Human waste mixed with floodwater comes up through manholes as a matter of routine. One resident has negotiated a reduction in their bill from STW, which should be available more widely.
3. Ash Lane Pumping Station – Pumps break down when floodwater enters the system, causing widespread backing up and foul flooding of public areas and private properties. 
4. New pipeline from Twigworth Green to Innsworth – Clogged pipes have caused manholes to burst at least twice in the past two years. Drains are frequently blocked.

TBC Planning Officers were recommending that a variation to Condition 12 be accepted by the Planning Committee; however, at the Planning Committee Meeting on 18th February, before a crowded public gallery, Cllr Sharpley challenged this recommendation on behalf of Twigworth and Down Hatherley Parish Councils and their residents. 

There were also powerful augments from all the Committee Members present who voted unanimously not to support the Planning Officers recommendation. 

Clearly, TBC Planning Officers and the Developer now need to work with STW, to plan and agree a way forward and it will be interesting to see how that pans out given past experience, especially if the Developer chooses to appeal this decision.    

Following an extensive two-day interview process earlier last week, Jo Walker has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of Gloucestershire County Council.

Jo is currently Chief Executive of North Somerset Council, a unitary authority, a role she has held for the past six years, which included providing effective leadership through Covid, ensuring service continuity for residents. As part of her current role, Jo is also a Chief Executive representative for the West of England working with both the West of England Combined Authority and the Western Gateway regional partnership, securing millions of pounds in central government funding to enhance the economic and social landscape, delivering inward investment, local infrastructure, and housing in North Somerset to improve outcomes for local people.

Jo also sits on the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board for the past six years and has Chaired the Mental Health, Learning Disability and Autism Health System Transformation Board, to influence change that will reduce health inequalities for North Somerset residents and communities. She is also the lead Chief Executive in the South West for Finance and Children’s Services, advocating and lobbying government officials and ministers on behalf of all South West Councils.

Jo started her career at Gloucestershire County Council as a graduate trainee and worked her way up to become Director of Highways, Transport and Waste and then Director of Finance and Corporate Services, before leaving to become Chief Executive at North Somerset Council.

Subject to Full Council approval on Wednesday (19 February), Jo is expected to take up her new role by 19 May.

Jo Walker said: “It is a great privilege to have been offered this amazing job, it is an exceptional role in an incredible county.

“As my home for the past 36 years, Gloucestershire already holds a very special place in my heart and having already spent more than 30 years of my working life at Gloucestershire County Council, so does the council. I have a deep commitment to the county and its people. I can’t wait to get started and do all I can to support the council, working alongside all elected members and staff to continue delivering for our communities and build on the strengths we have to achieve the shared ambition we have for Gloucestershire – reducing health inequalities, boost skills, attracting investment and jobs, whilst delivering great services for our residents.

“I am clear that we will not improve outcomes for residents alone – I am committed to building strong working relationships with our partners, across the public and private sector, to make sure we always do our collective best for Gloucestershire.”

Cllr Stephen Davies, Leader of the Council and Chair of the cross-party Appointments Sub-Committee said: “Jo is an experienced chief executive with a strong track record of operating at a local, regional, and national level. When you add in her extensive knowledge and understanding of the county, whilst competition for the role was strong, Jo was the standout candidate and was the committee’s unanimous choice.

“I look forward to working with Jo as we embark on the next, exciting chapter for the county.”

As the county council’s Chief Executive, Jo will having wide ranging responsibilities and duties, including:

• Supporting elected members in shaping and delivering on a vision and priorities for Gloucestershire through the effective and efficient use of the council’s resources
• Maintaining the council’s position as a financially stable authority
• Ensuring the council delivers high quality services for the people of Gloucestershire.
• Making sure inclusion and equality are central to decision-making so that the county and the council itself is a great place for all
• Leading an organisational culture of compassionate culture of accountability and innovation
• Ensuring all the council’s statutory duties and legislative obligations are met

Jo takes over the role of Chief Executive from Pete Bungard who after 20 years in the role will retire in May.

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