The Gloucestershire Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday 26 March 2026 to discuss the progress of the Together Gloucestershire project and receive an update on the City Region Board. The committee was also set to review its work plan.

Together Gloucestershire SEDF Project Update

A progress update was scheduled for the Together Gloucestershire project, which received Strategic Economic Development Funding (SEDF) in March 2025. The project aims to create a platform for private and public sector organisations to source ethical and reliable suppliers within Gloucestershire. The report pack indicated that the project had been established in 2022 with a focus on assisting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in engaging with larger organisations and increasing local spending. The project was being run by volunteers, and the report pack highlighted progress in building a database and onboarding businesses, with support from local authorities and recognition from local MPs. Challenges noted included awareness with limited resources and inconsistent follow-up from large organisations. The strategy outlined plans for database enhancements, reforming the working group, and developing user education.

City Region Board Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the City Region Board. This update was expected to cover discussions from the Board's meeting on 6 March 2026. Key topics included the Together Gloucestershire project, the health of the retail and hospitality sector in Gloucestershire, and the progress of the transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS).

Regarding the retail and hospitality sector, the City Region Board had considered suggestions for action, including lobbying the government on taxes affecting these sectors and asking the Economic Strategy Scrutiny Committee to investigate the issue further. The Board had resolved to send a letter to the government and requested that the committee add this topic to its work plan.

The update on the transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS) was expected to detail progress on its development, including plans for public consultation rounds and the government's invitation for views on sensible geographies for SDSs, which could influence future devolution outcomes for the county.

The update was also to include information on the Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool (GBRP), which aims to maximise business rates retained within the county and allocate funds through the SEDF. The report pack indicated that for 2025/2026, the expected SEDF pool gain was £1.519m, with a portion ringfenced for Growth Hubs, leaving a balance of £0.944m. No further contributions to SEDF were expected for 2026/2027 due to the absence of a business rate pool.

Gloucestershire's Business Support Offer

The committee was also scheduled to receive information on Gloucestershire's business support offer. The details for this item were listed as To follow in the agenda.

Work Plan

The committee was due to review its work plan for 2026. This review would involve considering suggestions for future topics, taking into account the committee's terms of reference. The work plan included scheduled sessions on the Forest of Dean, SEDF bid performance, the Local Growth Plan's missions related to environment, housing, infrastructure, thriving communities, culture, innovation, investment, enterprise, talent, future skills, and employment and health. Regular items such as the City Region Board update and SEDF project feedback were also noted.