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Council Plan refreshed to deliver on ambition through to 2028

A revitalised version of Tewkesbury Borough Council’s strategic roadmap has been published, reaffirming the council’s commitment to supporting people and strengthening communities – while adapting to a changing local government landscape.

Originally approved on 15 May 2024, the Council Plan (2024–2030) set out a clear vision underpinned by three priorities: caring for people, caring for the environment, and caring for place. These remain unchanged, alongside the council’s values of being open and honest, respectful, and inclusive.

The plan has undergone its first annual refresh, ensuring it continues to be relevant and focused on delivery. This year’s refresh reflects national Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which will see the creation of new unitary authorities by 1 April 2028.

In light of this, the Council Plan has been refocused as a three-year delivery plan (2025–2028). While the overarching vision and priority themes stay the same, several supporting actions have been updated. Using a ‘continue, change, cease’ approach, the council reviewed each action to focus on what can realistically be achieved by the end of 2028. Many actions are progressing well and will continue unchanged, while others have been adjusted to reflect delivery realities before the 2028 transition.

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Leader, Councillor Richard Stanley, said: “This refresh strikes the right balance – staying true to our ambitions while ensuring we deliver results our residents can see and feel. With the changes ahead, we want this plan to guide real impact, not just good intentions.” 

Some highlights from actions during the last 12 months include the council’s national Climate Action Scorecard being at 44% – significantly above the national average of 35%.

The Development Management team won Local Authority Planning Team of the Year at the prestigious Planning Awards 2025, recognising their three-year business improvement which saw significant transformation for speed of planning application decisions. The council continues to support local communities and is working towards securing more affordable high-quality housing as part of the Strategic and Local Plan.

The council has also supported people’s health and wellbeing by supporting 12 new and existing warm spaces across borough, which offer free warm and safe places during winter with 12,000 visits to those spaces.

As well as a clear performance management tracker document supported with a suite of key performance indicators that accompany the plan, a number of strategies and programmes will inform and support its delivery. These include:

  • Climate Change and Ecological Framework
  • Housing and Homelessness Strategy
  • Waste and Recycling Strategy
  • Economic Development and Tourism Strategy
  • Strategic and Local Plan
  • Flood Response and Resilience Action Plan
  • Communications Strategy
  • Community Safety Strategy
  • Tree Strategy

The plan will be revisited in 2026 to reflect not only the progress and impact of Local Government Reorganisation but also the challenging financial landscape which the council will continue to face.

Tewkesbury Borough Council Plan can be viewed online at tewkesbury.gov.uk/council-plan 

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A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency. 

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 Mythe Bridge River gauge as a result of heavy rainfall.  Consequently, flooding of roads and farmland is expected on Monday morning, 27/01/25.  We expect flooding to affect low lying land and roads adjacent the River Severn from Tewkesbury to Gloucester. Locations that may be affected include Apperley and Maisemore.  

Predicted peaks: – Mythe 2.6m to 3.0m on Tuesday morning, 28/01/25. No other impacts are expected at other gauge locations currently.     

Further rainfall is forecast over the next 48 hours.  We expect river levels to remain high over the next few days.   

We are closely monitoring the situation.  Our incident response staff are liaising with emergency services and or Local Authorities.   

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 10:00am on 27/01/25, 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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Tewkesbury Borough Council approves new hedgerow, tree and woodland management policies

Tewkesbury Borough Council is pleased to announce the approval of two new policies: the Hedgerow Management Policy and the Tree and Woodland Management Policy. These policies were approved during a full Council meeting on Tuesday, 10 December 2024, marking a significant step in the council’s commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability as outlined in the 2024-2030 Council Plan.

The new Hedgerow Management Policy aligns with Tewkesbury Borough Council’s priority to care for the environment and addresses the climate and ecological emergencies declared by the council. This policy provides a structured approach to managing the extensive network of hedgerows on council land, ensuring they are maintained to minimise risks to people and property while enhancing the natural environment.

Hedgerows are crucial for combating climate change, aiding flood mitigation, absorbing noise and particulate pollution, serving as wildlife corridors, creating diverse habitats for wildflowers, insects, birds, and mammals and also for improving the aesthetic of our borough.

The new Tree and Woodland Management Policy, developed with the support of the Woodland Trust, incorporates Tewkesbury Borough Council’s existing ‘Tree Safety Management Policy’ which recognises that public safety around trees and woodlands is a priority, while ensuring that new and existing trees and woodlands are being managed in the most nature-friendly way possible.

Our trees and woodlands face challenges across the UK, and this new policy is a positive step forward in affirming Tewkesbury Borough Council’s commitment to prioritise the environment. This policy sets some ambitious targets for the council, which will strive to deliver continued growth of its tree and woodland stock, to reach the goal to increase tree canopy cover across the borough to 17.5%; echoing the Government’s national target.

Trees are more than just charming features of our landscape; they will help us reduce flooding events, soak up carbon, clean our water, reduce noise and chemical pollution, and provide valuable habitat for birds, insects, mammals and other plants.

Tewkesbury Borough Council declared a climate emergency in October 2019, which was expanded in May 2023 to include a nature and ecological emergency.

Cllr Cate Cody, Lead Member for Climate and Ecology, said: “This new Hedgerow Management Policy and Tree and Woodland Management Policy are significant achievements in our ongoing mission to protect and enhance the borough’s natural environment. Hedgerows and trees are not just beautiful features of our landscape; they are essential for biodiversity, climate resilience, and the well-being of our communities.

“By adopting these policies, we are taking decisive action to combat climate change, support wildlife, and ensure a greener future for generations to come. We are proud to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship.”

The policies are part of a broader action plan that includes significant carbon reduction across the council, improved climate change communications, development of strategies to support climate and ecological emergency actions, participation in partnerships tackling climate change as well as the continued delivery of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, the updating of the Tree Safety Management Policy, and increasing tree canopy coverage.

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Local Flooding – 6 Jan 2025

Again we have suffered another unprecedented rainfall event in a very short period of time, together with the already saturated ground from the pre-xmas storm events… most parts of the country has suffered some flooding event, some more serious than others, our parishes are located close to the flood meadows, (which have flooded, doing their job) we have several brooks which are tributaries of the Severn, there are many other tributaries that feed the Severn on its 200 mile journey before reaching Gloucester… including: The Vyrnwy, Tern, Teme, Avon and Stour…

This part of Frogfurlong Lane (photo 06/01/25), is where the Hatherley Brook passes under the lane…. and it looks like the stream of water is coming from the left hand side (upstream), which makes sense… this location is some way from the housing developments at Twigworth and its SUDs system… which appeared to be doing their job yesterday…. Hatherley Brook and Coxs Brook had breached their banks and flooded adjacent flood meadows…

Photo credit: Helen Ford

There was no major local flooding at Twigworth Green yesterday… only minor flooding of some footpaths and new sports field.

Down Hatherley and Frogfurlong Lane were both flooded…. yet irresponsible drivers still thought they could drive through the floodwater… perhaps we need some flood signs like Sandhurst Lane

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THROUGH FLOOD WATERS!

According to one local resident, on Sunday night we had a rainfall of 40mm; that is one quarter of the whole month of July 2007, the worst month in recent history!