Council ‘putting the heart back into Gloucester’ with ambitious new Corporate Plan

Councillors will carry out a six-month review of the plan’s progress, with nearly 80 percent of actions currently on track for completion.

Achievements so far include supporting the opening of the Blackbridge Community Sports Hub in April, in which the council is a key stakeholder and hiring a gardener to improve the city’s greenspaces.

Following public consultation, the plan was significantly expanded and now has 58 percent more actions than the council’s last Corporate Plan.

It sets the strategic direction for the council’s work and aims to ‘put the heart back into Gloucester’.

To achieve this, it focuses on three areas:

• A vibrant and attractive city that celebrates Gloucester’s heritage.
• Inclusive, thriving communities where residents that feel safe, supported and valued.
• An innovative and accountable council with high-quality, accessible services and facilities.

Within these three areas, there are several key priorities. These include:

• Completing the development of The Forum and ensuring the occupancy level is at least 80 per cent.
• Strengthening the local economy, creating job opportunities for local people and attracting new workers.
• Establishing Gloucester as a cultural centre by celebrating its rich history and offering a programme of unique festivals
• Ensuring all residents have somewhere to call home by increasing affordable housing, working with private and social landlords and improving support and accommodation to tackle homelessness.
• Addressing the climate crisis by enhancing open spaces and becoming a zero-carbon council by 2030.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “This is an ambitious corporate plan that reflects our key priorities for Gloucester. It sets out how we will work tirelessly to ensure that this is a thriving and vibrant city where everyone can feel safe, valued and supported.”