Agenda item

To receive an update from the Council’s representative on matters considered at the last meeting (26 February 2020). 

97.1          Members received an update from the Council’s representative on the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Scrutiny Committee on matters discussed at the last meeting held on 26 February 2020.

97.2           The Council’s representative explained that the meeting had comprised two parts: a presentation from Lead Members and Officers from Gloucester City Council on key issues and concerns affecting economic growth and development; and a verbal update from the Chief Executive of the Local Enterprise Partnership.  He undertook to circulate a copy of the presentation via Democratic Services following the meeting.  He advised that two booklets were made available at the meeting – Gloucester City Council’s Economic Growth Strategy 2018-21 and its Regeneration and Economic Development Strategy 2016/21 - and copies had been placed in the Members’ Lounge.

97.3           The presentation had explained that Gloucester City had been in the process of regeneration for the best part of 20 years and included: the opening of St Oswald’s retail park in 2004; the opening of Oxstall’s Campus in 2003; regeneration of the Gloucester Docks over the last 10 years; completion of the south-west bypass which was linked to the Gloucester Quays development; regeneration of Greyfriars into significant residential development; and, transformation of the Railway Triangle/Corridor for commercial use including Morrison’s, Costa etc.  It had been pointed out that there had not been enough regeneration in the city centre but there would be in future.  In terms of the economic challenges, whilst unemployment was relatively low, it was still the highest in the county with an over-reliance on public sector jobs.  Gloucester City Council’s role was to promote the city to visitors and investors; provide a robust planning framework; and invest in sites and infrastructure, for example, creation of the transport hub with the help of the Local Enterprise Partnership and its purchase of Eastgate Shopping Centre to determine its future use.  In terms of the local economy, there was a population of 130,000 which was growing at 1% per annum.  Whilst the city had an economically active, young population, there was a lack of skills to meet business needs as well as a lack of technical skills.  The average house price was £200,000 with prices rising significantly over the last couple of years.  The shortage of grade A office space had also been noted along with the high level of deprivation and the ageing workforce.  Gloucester City Council wanted to ensure that the wealth created in the city was retained locally – ideally people would live and work locally.

97.4           In terms of key challenges, the City Council faced an ongoing decline in manufacturing and other traditional forms of employment; low property values but high property development costs; the changing face of retail in the city centre; negative perceptions of Gloucester as a place to live and visit; a stressed and over-congested road system; and impacts related to climate change.  Notwithstanding this, there were also opportunities in terms of the high proportion of young residents; the potential to attract more shoppers and visitors to the Quays and city centre; the potential to attract niche businesses and start-up enterprises; and drawing upon the city’s heritage e.g. Gloucester Cathedral, Gloucester Docks.  Gloucester City Council had successfully delivered a number of developments including Baker’s Quays Apartments; Black Dog Way Apartments; the transport hub; Blackfriar’s student accommodation; and King’s Quarter and Square developments.  In terms of the next steps, the Council needed to adapt to the changing role of retail by redeveloping the city centre and providing more homes and city-centre based experiences.  For instance, it was noted that Gloucester Prison was a target for development; the Council wanted to provide a high-quality hotel within the city; and the way to the city centre from the transport hub was to be made much clearer.

97.5           With regard to the update from Gloucestershire First Local Enterprise Partnership, Members were informed that this was the fourth year of the five year investment plan and Gloucester City had benefitted from the £35m funding with the train station receiving £4m funding and the transport hub receiving £6.4m funding.  Student accommodation in the city had largely been completed and there had been a £5m investment in the Growth Hub at Oxstall’s Campus.  In addition, the Baker’s Quay development was almost signed off, a data centre at Barnwood had benefitted from £3m investment and Gloucester City Council now owned a total of three shopping centres.

97.6           The Chair thanked the Council’s representative for his update, which had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting, and it was subsequently

RESOLVED       That the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Scrutiny Committee Update be NOTED.