Here are the decisions from Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet meeting on Monday 13 April.

• Core Strategy Review Assessment Update

The Cabinet has approved the review assessment update of Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Core Strategy. Local Planning Authorities are required to assess whether their local plan policies (Core Strategy) need updating. The Core Strategy was last reviewed in April 2021. The report concludes that in relation to housing land supply, the Core Strategy is out of date, however the rest of the Core Strategy remains mostly compliant with the current National Planning Policy Framework. 

• Housing Allocation Scheme

The Cabinet has approved the new Housing Allocation Scheme following a public and stakeholder consultation exercise. With the Home Choice Plus scheme due to end in 2026, the updated policy presents an opportunity to directly address local housing pressures and focus on housing need in line with local priorities. The revised scheme seeks to improve clarity and transparency for applicants by strengthening how eligibility and qualification criteria are set out. The consultation ran for six weeks and demonstrated strong overall support for the proposed Housing Allocation Scheme. Feedback was carefully considered and informed a small number of minor refinements to the policy, while the core elements remain unchanged.

• 2026/27 Climate Change and Nature Recovery Delivery Plan and Progress Report

The Cabinet has approved the adoption of the 2026/27 Climate Change and Nature Recovery Delivery Plan following the adoption of the Climate Change and Nature Recovery Strategy in February 2025. 25 out of the 28 projects set out in the Delivery Plan are in progress and 10 additional projects not identified in the Plan have been delivered.   

• 2026/27 Climate Change and Nature Recovery Initiatives

The Cabinet has approved the adoption of the 2026/27 Climate Change and Nature Recovery Initiatives. This includes the extension of the Community Climate and Nature Fund for a Fourth Round and £200,000 funding from the Climate Change Reserve. It also includes the re-establishment of the Wilder Communities Project for 2026/27 and £22,500 to be allocated for this project from the Climate Change Reserve. 

• Single Equality Scheme Targets - 2026/27

The Cabinet has approved the Single Equality Scheme Targets for 2026/2027. The report outlines the steps taken by the District Council to ensure equality of opportunity for both employees and service users in our communities. Steps include: carrying out equality impact assessments (EIA) for all new strategy and policy, training all staff and elected members, regularly reviewing the way we work, taking positive action to address all forms of disadvantage or exclusion, and more.

• Performance Management Framework 2026/27

The Cabinet has approved the Council Plan Actions for Year 3 and the Key Performance Indicators and Targets for 2026/27. 

• Risk Management Strategy 2026-2031

The Cabinet has approved the proposed Risk Management Strategy 2026-2031. The Strategy considers a variety of threats faced by the District Council including financial pressures, cyber threats, natural disasters, public health emergencies and reputational challenges - that can all disrupt services and undermine public trust.

• Options for Boosting the Supply of Housing Land update report

The Cabinet has noted the progress in delivering the Action Plan and a further report be made to Cabinet in October 2026. The report sets out that this is a long-term activity and the cross-party Housing Delivery Advisory Group has set the challenging target of being able to evidence a 5-year land supply by summer 2027. The most recent update shows a further reduction in SDC's housing land supply which was expected. However, the measures are in place to monitor and significantly improve the position by next spring. 

• Progress update on the delivery of the South Warwickshire Economic Strategy 2023-28

The Cabinet has endorsed the updated South Warwickshire Economic Strategy Action Plan and has noted the progress achieved regarding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund 4 and Rural England Prosperity Fund. 

• Review of the Housing Strategy Action Plan 2025/26

The Cabinet has approved the Sustainable Communities Stratford-on-Avon District Housing Strategy 2021-2026 Action Plan and agreed the proposal to formulate a new Housing Strategy for 2026-2031. The Action Plan details housing actions to improve local people's health and wellbeing. The vision has three aims: to support communities and build sustainable affordable homes, to improve existing housing and help people live independently and to prevent homelessness and reduce the harm caused by it. 

• Future Provision of markets in Stratford-upon-Avon

The Cabinet has given approval to procure a new market agreement -in conjunction with Stratford-upon-Avon Town Council. The current agreement is due to end in 2027.

• Licence Concessions: Bancroft Gardens, Waterside and Recreation Ground

The Cabinet has given approval to tender the proposed licence for a further period from 2027. The proposal is for all the concessions to be licenced for a five-year period, with one to be sited at the small car park to be offered for a five period with a potential five-year extension.     

The full agenda for the Cabinet meeting and the webcast can be found here.