URL: https://stroud.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=323

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Committee

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: To provide an update to Committee on the Community Wealth Building Action Plan

Content: The Senior Procurement and Commissioning Officer introduced the report on behalf of the Strategic Director of Communities and drew the Committees attention to the following: ·           Appendix A detailed the requested definition of Community Wealth Building. ·           Appendix B contained the Community Wealth Building Action Plan, which was still in development and therefore was a live draft, directly linked to the Council Plan. ·           A community workshop was scheduled for the 26 November 2025 to review progress, further details were set out in paragraph 4 of the report.   Councillor Martin Brown asked whether there could be more actions added to the ‘support community ownership of housing, transport and energy’ objective on page 35 such as car sharing schemes. The Senior Procurement and Commissioning Officer agreed to take his comments back to the team and raise them at the workshop also.   It was agreed that a written response would be provided to Councillor Hughes regarding the support provided to the Stroud Area Community Energy Network and whether any additional support could be offered, such as leasing council buildings for their use.   Councillor Hughes also received the following responses from Officers: ·           At a previous meeting of the Regeneration and Investment Board, it was agreed to bring a report back to the S&R Committee detailing the impact of the Market Town Vitality Fund. ·           The Apprenticeship Scheme had been recently re-appraised and the salary had been levelled to be more in line with neighbouring Local Authorities which had allowed them to expand the number of positions offered. ·           A budget request had been submitted to provide an honorarium to a few Officers in order to continue the work of the Senior Economic Development Officer, as this was a fixed term post. This interim arrangement would take place from the 1 December until the end of March 2026.   Councillor Robinson asked whether there any further crowdfunding rounds were planned and whether there would be a review of the three rounds already completed. The Chief Executive confirmed that a review was planned and explained that they would like to continue with crowdfunding, however, the funding would need to be approved during the upcoming budget setting process.   In response to Councillor Braun, the Senior Procurement and Commissioning Officer confirmed that the outcomes of the workshops would be fed into the Action Plan which would be reported annually to Committee.   Proposed by Councillor Turner, seconded by Councillor Pearcy.   Councillor Pearcy commended the work of the Officers and the council for taking a proactive approach.    On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried unanimously.   RESOLVED To note the progress on the Community Wealth Building Project.  

Date of Decision: November 13, 2025