At the Chamber we like to say that we have been looking to the future for over 120 years. Recently, the sale of the Municipal Offices has been described as an opportunity to preserve heritage while creating exciting spaces for the future.
And the Economic Growth Board’s strategy is titled: Driven by innovation, built on heritage. This was the subject of this year’s Honourable Company of Gloucestershire 2024 Lecture, “The Gloucestershire Strategy: What will our county look like in 25 years?”
David Owen, Director of Economy and Environment at Gloucestershire County Council, delivered this on 25th Sept at the University of Gloucestershire Park Campus. He highlighted the opportunities offered by the county’s strengths in cyber and security technology, precision engineering, agritech and green energy. Projects such as Golden Valley, the “Tewkesbury” powerhouse, major road projects and new generation nuclear power plants will attract huge investment in housing as well as infrastructure.
Of course, there are challenges, many of which the GCC can only influence indirectly, for example: skills shortages, poor diversity, inactivity rates – especially among an increasingly older population, health, planning and transport. There has been progress but more joined-up thinking is needed.
Initiatives from Barnwood construction (sustainability) and Chamber Members, Lives of Colour Lives of Colour and Nelson Trust (diversity), were singled out for praise.
The University and GLOSCOL are working hard to address the skills issue with new teach facilities planned at Park Campus, practical AI work and the new construction centre at GLOSCOL.
If you want the detail, you can read the strategy document and evidence base here.
Focus on Cheltenham
The evidence document has a useful profile of the town’s economy, for those of us doing business here.
While, the strategy embraces specific Borough Council priorities which include, in summary:
- Enhancing Cheltenham’s reputation as the cyber (and security technology) capital of the UK.
- Infrastructure projects which create jobs and attract investment.
- Encouraging apprenticeships and local employment opportunities.
- Continuing to support the cultural and heritage sectors.
- Developing investment projects that help for deprived communities.
- Engaging with the community to help make Cheltenham carbon neutral by 2030.
- Supporting the development of cyber and green technologies.
- Increasing the number of affordable homes
- Ensuring that all residents, communities, and businesses benefit
The Chamber will work to support these objectives – in skills development, encouraging sustainability and especially, helping businesses benefit as much as possible from large investment supply chains, through the Together Gloucestershire initiative.
The Voice of Business
The county strategy is the remit of the Economic Growth Board, taking over what was widely acknowledged as one of the UK’s most successful LEP’s, including the Growth Hub network.
It is also there to add an objective voice of business in shaping local policy. The Chamber’s Cyber Executive, Rob Stemp, sits on the main Board while Rob Duncan and Michael Ellyatt sit on the Planning & Construction and Business Members groups respectively. So, please let us know if you have views that you would like aired.
What About The Budget?
The strategy paints an optimistic picture of the area’s future. However, the short-term, concern is inevitably on the forthcoming budget (30th October) and any impact on investment. To paraphrase a Nobel laureate, there is no future in making predictions, but it’s clear the Government are faced with an extremely very difficult balancing act.
Keep an eye on our website for member events or news posts from our members, summarising and discussing the implications for businesses.
