As a consequence of the May 2023 local elections, following which South Gloucestershire Council shifted into no overall control, the Liberal Democrats and Labour have formally signed a coalition agreement outlining how power will be shared and operationalised through a series of new strategic priorities.
The Agreement is said to reflect the Council’s ‘broad non-Conservative majority’ following sixteen years of a Conservative-led administration and commits to restructuring the Council’s decision-making processes and responsibilities. Similarly, the Agreement formulates a new strategic approach to key planning considerations such as renewable energy and Net Zero, sustainable transport, and housebuilding.
2023 Local Elections
The May 2023 Local Elections marked a significant moment in South Gloucestershire’s local politics, with the Conservatives losing power for the first time since taking minority control in 2007 (and later majority control in 2015). The Tories retained their position as largest party but lost ten seats to finish with 23; the Liberal Democrats gained 3 to finish with 20 seats; whilst Labour gained 6 to finish the night with 17 seats; one independent was also elected.
Joint Administration Agreement
Three weeks after polling day, the Liberal Democrat and Labours groups announced that they had approved an Agreement to form a coalition administration, with the Lib Dem taking the Leadership and Labour receiving the Deputy Leadership; it was also agreed that the Cabinet would be split 5:4 in recognition of the Lib Dems’ status as the larger party. The Agreement also demands that Cabinet members are expected to communicate regularly with their shadow opposite member and to work collaboratively, suggesting a more consensual method of decision-making.
The Agreement outlines nine shared goals (See Appendix B) to be advanced for the common benefit of South Gloucestershire, ranging from measures to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis to efforts to tackle educational inequalities. For the development industry, there are three goals of fundamental importance:
- Tackle the Climate and Nature Emergency. We will help more people insulate their homes, cutting their carbon footprint and their bills. Supporting innovation to build a greener economy.
- Develop an evidence-based Local Plan to protect South Gloucestershire from speculative development and from shouldering an unfair amount of new housing burden compared to the rest of the neighbouring local authorities in the region, focusing on zero carbon homes and ensuring good infrastructure is included in developments. We are committed to ensuring, through the planning system, that as many homes as legally possible are affordable and will for lobby for national legislative planning changes to make affordable homes a reality.
- Work with the West of England Combined Authority to create a bus service fit for the 21st century and improve the travel and transport network.
Local Plan
The Agreement commits to preparing an evidence-based Local Plan which will, in the eyes of both coalition partners, ‘protect South Gloucestershire from speculative development and from being overwhelmed by Bristol’s unmet housing need, focusing on zero carbon homes and prioritising infrastructure first.’ Importantly, it should be noted that both parties subsequently note that ‘we do not consider it appropriate for South Gloucestershire to accept the Bristol housing overflow.’
Given that the previous Conservative administration opposed the idea of taking Bristol’s unmet housing need via the ill-fated Spatial Development Strategy, this statement indicates that the new administration will take a similarly critical approach when assessing prospective housebuilding, with agreement that ‘on the evidence currently available’ South Gloucestershire should not act as a release to the pressure valve of Bristol’s burgeoning population. It will therefore be critically important for developers to demonstrate that new homes will benefit the existing local population instead of Bristol residents looking to relocate and commute for work.
A cross-party Policy Advisory Group will also ensure all members have an opportunity to influence the Local Plan preparation process.
A Renewed Local Approach
The Agreement likewise makes clear that location is key and commits to restructuring how decision-making and accountability are institutionalised within Council structures. Underpinning the renewed principles of decision-making, which seek to promote equality, social and climate justice with due regard to the impact on future generations, the Council will institute a Governance Review to assess how the administration can operate in a more open and inclusive fashion with regard for greater public participation.
Institutionally, the Agreement commits to introducing new Area Committees which will devolve local decision-making powers to allow for ward members to make decisions on issues which affect their area. This approach will be supplemented with greater collaboration between Town and Parish Councils, emergency services, and statutory bodies to address local issues and improve the local area. At the core of this strategy is a determination to involve local people throughout the decision-making process.
For developers, the Council’s devolution of decision-making powers to non-executive councillors underlines the importance of meaningful stakeholder engagement throughout the planning process, with ward members now likely to be empowered to make decisions directly on behalf of their constituents. This approach is likely to have an effect on the approach taken by site ward members, with a renewed impetus to make decisions in close communication with local residents, as opposed to the partisan position of their respective group. Developers must therefore be cognisant of residents’ concerns and ensure that planning applications are prepared in collaboration with communities, whilst also containing substantive interventions and investment which will provide tangible social value for local people.
Rotating representation on WECA
The Agreement specifies that the Leader of the Council will represent South Gloucestershire on the WECA Committee and Joint Committee in the 2023/24 year; the Deputy Leader will then represent the Council in the 2024/25 year, with the appointment alternating thereafter.
The Agreement also establishes that all decisions taken at WECA will have been reached following discussions with both parties.
Conclusion
The Liberal Democrat – Labour Coalition Agreement marks a fundamental reorganisation of local politics in South Gloucestershire and creates a new series of strategic priorities which are of vital importance for business. Underscoring the Agreement is a commitment to entrench localism at the ward level, with individual councillors empowered to make decisions on issues which directly affect their constituents. This, along with a clear statement of intent to refuse housebuilding intended to alleviate Bristol’s housing pressures, illustrates a clear approach to planning at the Council and underscores the importance of early and meaningful community engagement and stakeholder dialogue.
As the new administration settles in, there will be an opportunity for developers to meet with new stakeholders and ascertain their strategic priorities to explore potential opportunities for collaboration. Considerations around infrastructure provision, social value and community investment will be key, as will be an appreciation and understanding of local issues and local concerns. Ultimately, the governance of South Gloucestershire is now firmly grounded upon the twin principles of consensual and localist politics.
Appendix A: The New Cabinet
| Cabinet Position | Councillor |
| Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Council Governance | Cllr Claire Young (LD) |
| Co-Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Education, Skills, Employment and Business | Cllr Ian Boulton (LAB) |
| Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration, and Infrastructure | Cllr Chris Willmore (LD) |
| Cabinet Member for Cost of Living, Equalities, and Public Health | Cllr Alison Evans (LAB) |
| Cabinet Member for Climate and Nature Emergency | Cllr Louise Harris (LD) |
| Cabinet Member for Children and Young People | Cllr Maggie Tyrell (LD) |
| Cabinet Member for Adults and Homes | Cllr John O’Neil (LD) |
| Cabinet Member for Communities and Local Place | Cllr Leigh Ingham (LAB) |
| Cabinet Member for Resources | Cllr Adam Monk (LAB) |
Appendix B: Shared Goals for the Benefit of South Gloucestershire
- Tackle the Climate and Nature Emergency. We will help more people insulate their homes, cutting their carbon footprint and their bills. Supporting innovation to build a greener economy.
- Help residents will the cost-of-living crisis. We will offer support and advice to people and businesses, to help them cut their bills and grow the local economy.
- Work with landlords to make rental properties warmer and cheaper for tenants to maintain.
- Focus on improving the lives and children and families, including through delivery of the social care improvement plan.
- Work with schools to address educational inequalities giving every child the best possible start in life and help schools reduce the impact of high energy bills on their finances.
- Promote Age-friendly Communities and work with partners to update our Dementia strategy.
- Develop an evidence-based Local Plan to protect South Gloucestershire from speculative development and from shouldering an unfair amount of new housing burden compared to the rest of the neighbouring local authorities in the region, focusing on zero carbon homes and ensuring good infrastructure is included in developments. We are committed to ensuring, through the planning system, that as many homes as legally possible are affordable and will for lobby for national legislative planning changes to make affordable homes a reality.
- Work with health partners and the Integrated Care Board to improve the range and scope of health care services available to local people across the district supporting the delivery of new and existing facilities across the health care estate, including further consideration of Thornbury health services, improving the range of services at Yate Minor Injuries Unit and Cossham Hospital, and additional community beds at the former Frenchay Hospital site.
- Work with the West of England Combined Authority to create a bus service fit for the 21st century and improve the travel and transport network.