County council unveils £100m investment package (From Gazette Series)

Gloucestershire County Council unveils £100m investment package

8:30am Monday 6th February 2012 in Gloucestershire news By Liza-Jane Gillespie

LEADERS at Gloucestershire County Council have revealed a £100 million investment package.

Those in charge at the authority claim investment into infrastructure, skills and jobs in the county will act as an economic stimulus for Gloucestershire.

The package includes £7.5 million investment in super-fast broadband, £1 million investment in deposit top-ups for first-time buyers and £1 million into an ‘opportunity fund’, which will be available for school, business and community-based initiatives that deliver better employment and business outcomes for young people.

The county council said it would also take the lead on a skills summit, which will match skills to employment, to be held in March, and create 25 apprenticeships at the authority.

The budget was unveiled at the county council’s cabinet meeting last Wednesday, February 1.

Gloucestershire County Council leader, Mark Hawthorne said: "I am delighted to announce this economic stimulus package, which shows that this council is committed to helping grow Gloucestershire in a time of austerity.

"Whilst we are working hard to reduce costs, we also have to invest in Gloucestershire’s future. Our priority is to invest in schemes that will keep young people – and talent – in Gloucestershire.

"As the county’s biggest employer, the onus is on us to help deliver growth, create jobs and get the housing market moving."

Other projects include the £10 million Cinderford Spine Road, £16 million Elmbridge Park and Ride and a £5 million bid to the Sustainable Transport Fund to help with the regeneration of Gloucester and Cheltenham.

As well as spending proposals the cabinet also agreed to a zero per cent increase in the county council’s share of households’ council tax bills. This means a Band D property would pay £1,090.

The budget and council tax proposals will now have to go before the authority’s full council on February 22 before they are rubber-stamped.