Positive progress across services as Cotswold District Council looks to the future

The Service Performance Report and Financial Performance Report for Quarter 3 (October–December 2025), alongside the Strategic Risk Register, were all considered by the Council’s cabinet on 16 April.

Delivering visible results for residents

At the meeting, councillors heard that service performance across the organisation remained strong, with many areas meeting or exceeding targets.  This included planning services, with 100% of major planning applications and more than 92% of other applications determined within agreed timescales.

In the meantime, the reports showed customer satisfaction scored at just shy of 100%, recycling services continued to perform alongside the best in the country, and environmental health teams achieved a notable milestone by inspecting 100% of high‑risk food premises.

Councillor Andrea Pellegram, cabinet member for environmental and regulatory services,  praised the work being done behind the scenes. She said: “It’s good news on recycling where we are doing very well nationally.

“We’re also making good progress on our priorities including the replacement of our waste fleet: we’re in the advanced stages of procurement and we’re looking at how our vehicles are set up to make sure we’re ready for the flexible plastics that we’ll need to start collecting next year.”

The meeting heard that across the country, the Council ranked 25^th for recycling, and 14^th among district councils.

More people using leisure and cultural services

The service performance report also noted that residents were making growing use of council-owned leisure centres, with memberships higher than expected and swimming and learn‑to‑swim sessions increasing. Councillor Tony Dale, cabinet member for health, culture and visitor experience, welcomed the wider benefits this brings to community health and wellbeing.

“It’s really good to see leisure services doing so well,” he said. “More people using our facilities means better health and wellbeing for residents - and fewer pressures on health services in the long run. It really is a win‑win.”

Sound finances in uncertain times

The Quarter 3 finance report showed the Council remained in a stable and resilient financial position, forecasting a small year‑end surplus and with no need to borrow. Additional income from planning and car parking is being managed prudently, with funds transferred to reserves to help the Council manage future risks and investment needs.

Councillor Patrick Coleman, cabinet member for finance, said: “We are fiscally sound and don’t need to borrow any money. Where funds have become available through over‑achievement and cutting costs, they’re going into one of our key reserves to help us be certain we’ve got enough funds to get us through to local government reorganisation.”

The report also highlighted the importance of protecting the Council - and residents - from costly planning appeals by setting aside planning fee income to defend decisions robustly where appropriate.

Preparing for the future

Alongside day‑to‑day services, councillors noted progress on key long‑term priorities, including climate action, electric vehicle charging, and work on the new local plan. The Council has also submitted proposals to Government on the future shape of local government in Gloucestershire.

Council Leader Mike Evemy welcomed the overall picture and said: “These reports show how well the council is performing as it bids to leave a lasting legacy for residents of this district. But while there is real progress to recognise, we know there is still more to do in some areas - for example, tackling delays in benefits processing, accelerating affordable housing delivery, and delivering speedier outcomes within the planning system.

“Building on this progress, the council will maintain a strong focus on improvement, ensuring that lessons learned translate into better services and stronger outcomes for residents.”