Cotswold District Council (CDC) is under fire after nearly £800 of public funds were spent on a drone that is currently grounded due to recent regulatory changes. The drone was bought in 2023 with the intention of enhancing communications by producing engaging video content for residents. However, tightened Civil Aviation Authority regulations introduced in January 2026 have meant the drone cannot be used without complying with new requirements.
Conservative group leader Tom Stowe (Campden-Vale) questioned the cost and ongoing expenses related to the drone, eventually condemning the expenditure as wasteful. He described the drone as a “toy locked in a cupboard gathering dust” since it has been rendered unusable following new drone laws.
Liberal Democrat council leader Mike Evemy (Siddington and Cerney Rural) explained that the drone was initially purchased by the shared Publica communications team for in-house video production, aiming to save on hiring external drone operators. After transfer to the council, the drone was used for several filming projects before the regulations changed.
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According to Cllr Evemy, the January 2026 regulatory update by the Civil Aviation Authority introduced stricter requirements: all users must hold a flyer ID, the council must register as a drone operator, and retrofitting the device with remote ID is necessary. The council is currently evaluating what steps and investments are needed to meet these regulations, but this is not an immediate priority. In the meantime, the drone is inactive, and no ongoing costs are being incurred.
At the March 18 full council meeting, Cllr Stowe expressed concern that other questionable expenses might exist within the communications budget. He insisted that as a small rural council, CDC has no need for drone footage and called the purchase a “total folly” that delivered no value to taxpayers. He also asked for details about the drone’s flights and the availability of its footage to the public.
Cllr Evemy responded with a degree of humour, acknowledging the drone’s purchase was driven by communications staff who believed it would aid their work. He confirmed the drone has been used and that the council received value from the investment. However, he dismissed the ongoing debate as unproductive, emphasizing that current restrictions prevent its use rather than a lack of desire to utilize the technology.
In summary, while the drone was initially an innovative tool for local communication, evolving drone regulations have temporarily grounded the device, prompting scrutiny over expenditure and the practicality of such purchases for small councils.