Council chiefs speak of proudest achievements in tough year

Council chiefs in Gloucester have spoken of their proudest achievements during what has been an extremely difficult financial year for the authority.

Gloucester City Council leader Richard Cook (C, Kingsway) explained the profound challenges the authority has faced and overcome during the 2022/23 year at their budget meeting on February 23.

He told those present at North Warehouse that he is proud of how the council has reacted and cleared the hurdles it faced after being hit by a cyber attack.

A recent peer challenge praised the city council and remarked on how it had done remarkably well to continue to deliver its facilities and services.

“I can assure all members that we are working very hard to make sure the council emerges stronger from the difficulties we face. The outcome of the reopening economy after Covid has seen shortages in labour and a surge in inflationary pressures.

“We have found it difficult to replace staff and cost pressures have made our previous plans more difficult and more expensive to deliver. We have also continued to experience reduced income from the market, car parking, Guildhall, museum and our commercial investments.”

He went on to highlight some of the council’s major achievements during the past year.

“The property investment strategy has enabled us to deliver on council plan priorities. The acquisition of St Oswalds and the £2.2 million brownfield remediation grant has enabled us to start on the large mixed housing scheme which will include social and affordable homes.

“Exchange of contract with Rooftops is imminent.

Cllr Cook also spoke of the progress the council is making to regenerate Gloucester’s Cathedral Quarter.

“The High Street Heritage Action Zone has received considerable praise for the work done in the Cathedral Quarter of Westgate Street and remains to be done as it comes to a conclusion.

“The new exit onto Metz Way from the Railway Station has already been completed and work has already started to make the long awaited improvements to the underpass and other areas of the station.

“The remaining development at the Barbican site has all but concluded. One of the new buildings has been occupied with the remainder expecting their new student intake in September 2023. Which will bring in an additional 200 students assisting the vibrancy and footfall of our city centre.

“Work on Kings Square was completed with an opening ceremony in early May. Overlooking Kings Square in King’s House the Music Works and JOLT Gloucester Culture Trust are well placed to deliver the cultural vibrancy we want to see from the square.

“Adjacent in Kings Quarter building of the new Tesco and 19 apartments has already been completed. And construction work on the Forum has been underway for several months.

“Work at the former Debenhams site by the University of Gloucestershire has been continuing for several months with an anticipated date of January 2024 for the first intake of students.

“In the words of the peer panel, Gloucester City Council is a council with impressive track record of organisational and place leadership as exemplified by its city centre regeneration programme.

“The growth agenda is hugely ambitious. The council has already delivered at scale to regenerate areas of the city centre and should be proud of what it has achieved.

“The culture and leisure portfolio has performed impressively with enthusiasm and innovation. It has successfully applied for funding of the Museum of Gloucester to carry out repairs and improvements.

“The Guildhall has been chosen to join prestigious Arts Council England’s national portfolio which will result in funding over the next three years and Gloucester Culture Trust has similarly been awarded national portfolio status.

“Gloucester Goes Retro, Rooftop Festival, the very successful lantern parade for Christmas, and various events over the past year brought thousands of people from Gloucester and beyond. We will continue to go from strength to strength.”

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk