Business-led campaign launched with the support of local MP to promote the benefits of Gloucestershire

A business-led campaign that aims to champion the strengths of Gloucestershire and promote the benefits of the county retaining its current identity and boundaries was launched yesterday, Thursday 2nd June.

A business-led campaign that aims to champion the strengths of Gloucestershire and promote the benefits of the county retaining its current identity and boundaries was launched yesterday, Thursday 2nd June.

The ‘We are Gloucestershire’ campaign is supported by a number of local individuals and organisations who are all keen to explore an ambitious future for the county, stretching as far as 2050.

Member of Parliament for the Cotwolds, Geoffrey Clifton Brown, said: “We need to promote Gloucestershire’s strengths. The work of We are Gloucestershire is going to be essential in making the case for what our great county has to offer, what challenges it currently faces and how we can all work together to come up with the best possible solution to deliver the brightest future here.”

Chair of the steering group that is behind the campaign is Dr Diane Savory OBE, chair of GFirst LEP. Diane said: “We are almost unique in the UK for having boundaries and services that align so perfectly, and that has allowed us, through Leadership Gloucestershire* and with the support of the business community, to work together very successfully over the last few years. We need to build on this momentum and partnership approach to achieve the greatest future success for the county as a whole. ”

Sir Henry Elwes, founder of the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire and member of the We are Gloucestershire steering group, said: “When we started the ‘We are Gloucestershire’ campaign, we were faced with the proposal by Cotswold District Council to merge with West Oxfordshire in the form of a new unitary authority.

“We are delighted that this proposal has now been withdrawn, and we’re grateful to Cotswold District Council for making us think about the future of Gloucestershire. It’s made us realise just how much we have to lose with any break-up of our boundaries. It is in all of our best interests to protect the county and the services within it and we have a real opportunity to work together now and be ambitious together. Our county motto is ‘Prorsum Semper’ – always in the lead. I would like to see the county be a trailblazer once again and to demonstrate both locally and to the Government that we can still be in the lead.”

Pete Bungard, chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council, added: “As a county we have so many advantages and opportunities, but our past record of economic growth has often been slower than our competitors across the country.  I very much hope that the We are Gloucestershire campaign can help develop a vision for the next generation, building on the really impressive GFirst LEP plans, and stretch our thinking on skills, housing and employment land supply, and infrastructure.”

The campaign launch at the Royal Agricultural University saw around 60 leaders and influencers from across Gloucestershire attend and take part in an open discussion with Cotswold Member of Parliament Geoffrey Clifton Brown, Sir Henry Elwes, Dr Diane Savory OBE and Pete Bungard.

Businesses are being asked to show support for the campaign and present a message both within and outside the county that Gloucestershire is better together and is ambitious for the future.

To  find out more about the We are Gloucestershire campaign and get involved, visit www.weareglos.org.