From affordable homes to healthier lives: latest performance report highlights how Cotswold District Council services help residents.

The quarterly statement, presented to Cabinet on 10 September, shows a strong first quarter for the Council, covering April to June, with most Corporate Plan actions on track, good performance across frontline services and a forecast year-end underspend of £122,000.  

Mike Evemy, Leader of Cotswold District Council, called it “an encouraging set of results”, adding: “Behind these figures are real benefits for people across the district, whether that’s having an affordable home where they can put down roots, opportunities to be more active and improve their wellbeing, or simply knowing that the everyday council services they rely on are being delivered well. 

“Regularly reviewing our performance helps us understand what’s working for residents and where we need to focus our efforts next.” 

The wider report shows strong performance across a range of services. Telephone customer satisfaction reached 97%, benefits processing times exceeded targets and 94% of Freedom of Information requests were answered within statutory timescales. All major planning applications were determined within agreed timescales, while missed bin rates remained better than target and household residual waste was lower than expected. 

The Council is forecasting a £122,000 year-end underspend, helped by strong income from planning, car parks, electric vehicle charging and treasury management. Planning fee income alone is forecast to be around £200,000 above budget. 

The report also identifies areas requiring further attention, including land charges processing times, recruitment challenges in specialist roles and cost pressures in the Ubico contract, with improvement work underway. 

Housing was among the areas performing strongly, with 27 affordable homes completed during the quarter. 

At Berkeley Close in South Cerney, new affordable homes have replaced older 1960s properties, with some former residents returning to live in the street. Nickie Mann, Bromford neighbourhood coach, said affordable housing can provide “security and stability”, giving people the chance to stay in the community they know and love - close to family, friends and the support networks they rely on.  

"Ultimately, it's about giving local people the opportunity to build their lives here,” she said. 

“Some of the first people to move into the new homes at Berkeley Close lived on that street before the old 1960s houses came down. They trusted us to bring them back to something better, and seeing them settle in has been a real highlight.” 

Leisure participation also continued to grow, with both memberships and visitor numbers above their quarterly targets. Cabinet also approved an additional £27,000 investment in pool covers at Bourton-on-the-Water and Chipping Campden leisure centres. This includes replacing Bourton's ageing cover and introducing a new cover at Chipping Campden, helping to reduce heat loss, lower energy costs and cut carbon emissions.".  

The impact of the Council’s leisure services can be seen in the experience of residents like Jacqui, who joined an Exercise Referral Programme at Cirencester Leisure Centre after more than a decade living with debilitating arthritis. With support from instructors, exercise became an important part of her recovery from major knee surgery and, subsequently, breast cancer. Over 18 months she, rebuilt her strength and confidence and no longer needs a second knee operation that had previously been thought inevitable. 

“It’s brilliant to hear that more people are using the leisure centres because I know first-hand what a difference they can make,” she said.  

“When I first started I was nervous and in a lot of pain, but the support I received helped me rebuild my strength and confidence and got me through some incredibly difficult times. I’d encourage anyone thinking about it to take that first step.”