Gloucestershire Lib Dems: October report
Expanding The Robin Across Gloucestershire
We are expanding The Robin from 1 November, giving more communities across Gloucestershire access to flexible, bookable public transport. The expansion will bring additional coverage to areas including the southern Forest of Dean, Newent and surrounding communities.
Unlike traditional fixed-route buses, The Robin allows passengers to book journeys around when and where they need to travel, helping keep rural communities connected. The expansion will also provide an alternative in areas where some poorly used, heavily subsidised fixed bus services are ending, helping us protect connectivity while making better use of public transport funding
Local Government Reorganisation Update
On 29 October, the Government announced its new ‘minded-to’ decision that Gloucestershire should move forward with one unitary council, subject to the remaining legal processes.
The Government has also set out a revised timetable, with elections to the new unitary authority expected in 2028 and the new council coming into being in 2029, a year later than originally planned.
We will now continue working with partners to make sure the new council delivers high-quality, sustainable services for residents. However, we have been clear that Gloucestershire taxpayers should not have to pick up the costs of the Government’s delay, and we will continue pushing for the devolution deal and investment our county deserves.
Standing Up for Gloucestershire on Devolution
We have demanded urgent answers from the Government after Gloucestershire was left out of its latest devolution announcement, despite deals progressing elsewhere across the South West. Cllr Lisa Spivey has made clear that Gloucestershire will not become the forgotten county of the South West and that we need a clear pathway to securing greater powers and investment.
We have repeatedly set out our ambition to join the West of England Combined Authority, which could help us deliver more homes, create good jobs, improve skills and grow Gloucestershire’s economy. We are continuing to press ministers to ensure our residents and businesses get their fair share of devolved funding and are not left behind
Grassroots Neighbourhood Fund
Our Grassroots neighbourhood fund continues to fund a plethora of community projects from physical activity to creative arts and the natural environment.
The deadline for new applications is early 2027. For more information and how to apply - https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/grassroots-neighbourhood-fund/
Major Improvements Recognised at Our Fire and Rescue Service
We have received a very positive independent inspection of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, recognising the significant progress made in recent years. Inspectors rated the service Good in five areas and highlighted two examples of innovative practice.
The inspection recognised improvements in understanding local risks, fire prevention and protection, staff training and development, leadership and making the best use of public money and resources.
This is strong independent recognition of how far we have come, while we continue working to make the service even stronger and keep communities across Gloucestershire safe
The full report is available on the HMICFRS website - https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/frs-assessments/gloucestershire-2025-2027/
More support for children with SEND in local schools
We have secured Government backing and £21.8 million of investment to transform SEND support across Gloucestershire, helping more children get the support they need in their local schools and communities. The new strategy will bring educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and inclusion specialists directly into mainstream schools, ensuring help is available earlier and closer to home.
The reforms will strengthen mainstream inclusion, create hundreds of additional inclusion places across the county and help more children learn alongside their peers rather than being forced to travel further from home for support.
£3 million investment to boost digital inclusion, innovation and connectivity across Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire is investing £3 million to improve digital inclusion, boost innovation and strengthen connectivity across the county. The funding will help ensure more residents can get online, access essential services and develop the digital skills needed for everyday life and work.
The programme will support community organisations helping people access devices and training, while also backing businesses to embrace new technology and innovation. Alongside efforts to improve connectivity, the investment is aimed at making sure nobody is left behind as more services move online.
Helping Gloucestershire live healthier lives
We have adopted a new ten-year Healthy Weight Strategy focused on making healthy choices easier, more affordable and more accessible for everyone. The strategy builds on work already happening across the county, including support for active travel, healthy schools, local food initiatives and community wellbeing programmes.
By bringing partners together around a shared ambition, we can help people live healthier lives, reduce health inequalities and support residents to stay active and independent for longer.
Helping Children Stay with Their Families
We have completed the first project through our Space to Care scheme, which funds home improvements to help foster and kinship carers create the extra space they need to care for children.
Through the scheme, we funded a £130,000 loft conversion for grandparents in Quedgeley, enabling two children to stay permanently within their family and giving them greater stability and security.
As well as helping to keep a family together, the project is expected to reduce future demand on children’s social care by around £570,000, showing how practical investment can deliver better outcomes for children while reducing longer-term costs.
Working towards a Smokefree Gloucestershire
We have approved a new Tobacco Control Strategy with the ambition of creating a Smokefree Gloucestershire by 2030. Backed by additional Government funding, the strategy will expand stop-smoking support, help prevent young people from taking up smoking and target help towards communities most affected by smoking-related illness.
The programme will help improve health, reduce inequalities and support thousands of residents to live healthier, longer lives.
Backing Gloucestershire's farmers and food producers
We have launched a new Food and Farming Strategy to support one of Gloucestershire's most important sectors. Backed by £370,000 of external funding, the strategy will help champion local farmers, strengthen supply chains, support innovation and create new opportunities for skills, training and business growth.
We are also expanding the Made in Gloucestershire initiative to better connect local producers with customers, retailers, tourism businesses and public sector organisations. Cabinet member Cllr Julian Tooke launched a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event to bring local producers together with sellers.