The City Region Board was scheduled to discuss the use of Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF) ringfenced funding to support the delivery of Gloucestershire's Transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS). The board was also set to review the business rate pool position and consider future work plan items.

Transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS) and Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF)

A key item on the agenda was the proposal to use the City Region Board's ringfenced Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF) to support the delivery of the Transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS) for Gloucestershire. The report outlining this proposal indicated that £345,000 from the 'Strategic Plan for Growth' SEDF funding pot was recommended for allocation to fund tSDS activities. This funding is intended to enable officers to deliver an accelerated programme of activities, ensuring that Gloucestershire's Local Plans and its transitional SDS are delivered in a timely and unified manner. This approach aims to maintain a plan-led system in the context of Local Government Reorganisation and the agreed Local Growth Plan.

The report detailed that £100,000 had already been allocated from this funding pot for a Planning Programme Manager role, which would support partnership working and the coordination of land use planning across Gloucestershire's seven local authorities. The proposed £345,000 would cover costs such as GIS capabilities, mapping, the development of a shared digital evidence base, and the staff costs for a full-time GIS officer for a two-year period. It was noted that the tSDS would provide a sub-regional policy context, with local plans providing local policy setting and land use allocation. The report also highlighted that the tSDS would be developed in collaboration with all six Districts, with a public consultation planned for Autumn 2026, submission in late 2027, and adoption before May 2029.

The report also touched upon potential funding from central government for SDS preparation, with formal guidance awaited. It was noted that if government capacity funding is awarded, any unrequired funds would be returned to the unallocated SEDF pot. The financial implications indicated that the allocation of £345,000 would leave £0 funding available from the 'Strategic Plan for Growth' funding pot.

Business Rate Pool and Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF) Position

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool and the Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF). The Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool was established to maximise business rates income retained within the county, with the resulting SEDF allocated through a bidding process to support economic growth activities. The report indicated that the pool membership was amended from April 1, 2025, with Cheltenham no longer part of the pool but continuing to benefit from the pool gain.

A significant point of discussion was the government's anticipated 'reset' of business rates growth in 2026, which would mean that the growth driving current pool gains would no longer be retained, increasing financial risks. It was assumed that Gloucestershire's business rate pool would not continue in 2026/2027, although S151 Officers were to continue investigating its viability. The total unallocated funding for the SEDF, including an estimate for 2024/2025, was stated as £2.206 million, with an indicative pool gain for 2025/2026 forecast at £1.389 million. It was advised that this forecast money should not be allocated to any SEDF bids, and due to the future of the pool, further contributions to SEDF were unlikely.

The board was also to consider a recommendation that the Gloucestershire Chief Executives and Senior Officer Group discuss the business rate pool arrangements for 2026/2027, including whether Cheltenham should be re-added to the pool, by the decision deadline of November 24, 2025.

Work Plan

The board was scheduled to review the committee work plan and suggest items for consideration at future meetings. The work plan for 2026 included provisional items such as updates on Devolution/Local Government Reorganisation, a requested item on CyNam and the Cyber Sector, an update on the Together Gloucestershire Bid, and a Transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS) update. Regular items were also listed, including the Business Rate Pool and SEDF, tSDS updates, SEDF Bid Consideration, the GCC Economic Dashboard, and an item on the performance of SEDF projects.

Other Items

The agenda also included standard procedural items such as noting apologies for absence, confirming the minutes of the previous meeting held on November 14, 2025, and declarations of interest. There was also an item concerning the exclusion of the press and public for discussions likely to involve exempt information, and the approval of exempt minutes from the previous meeting.