Issue - meetings

Report of the Leader

The Leader introduced the report which drew together the conversations held between a small officer team supported by stakeholder sector leads and a wide range of industry leaders, groups, businesses and individuals. Today endorsement of the Cheltenham Placemaking Vision by Council was sought.

The Leader went on to explain that this was an evolving strategy which was a strategy for Cheltenham, not just the Borough Council. He hoped that Cheltenham as a whole would buy into this with partners becoming fully involved. A wide group of people including businesses, cultural organisations and the voluntary sector had been engaged to date and  a member seminar and staff sessions had also taken place. The evolving vision was “A place where everybody thrives” focused along the four core values of creativity, a pioneering spirit, a nurturing town which builds connections and forms reconnections in the community.  It was important to assess the impact on the economy, visitors and young people. Losing young people due to affordability was a key concern. Other policies fed into the strategy including the tourism policy.

It was hoped that the consultation on the strategy would be broadened to include the public as a whole and actions needed to be defined to achieve it involving partners in and beyond Cheltenham including the County Council.

Finally the Leader said this had been a positive process and he thanked all those who had been involved.

The following points/questions were raised by Members and responses given by the Leader :

·         There was a lack of emphasis on older people- recognising that the town had an ageing population should be incorporated into the document. The focus had traditionally been on care but this part of the community needed to be engaged with and valued. In response the Leader recognised that the ageing population was vital to the town but there had been an emphasis on younger people in the document as they were leaving the town.

·         Members recognised that young people wanted to leave the town in order to broaden their horizons. It was important to talk to younger people in other places to attract them to the town. Interesting and varied employment opportunities and different kinds of businesses were required to achieve this. Creative culture was important in terms of business innovation and creative thinking. Providing better housing options in the town by fostering the right kind of development was also a factor alongside better public transport and an attractive leisure and cultural offering.

·         Members welcomed the opportunity for the public to be consulted but urged that the language be adjusted prior to consultation

·         Recognition of our diverse communities in the town was required in the document. In response the Leader stated that all communities would be involved via the community champions process.

·          A Member referred to the role of Cheltenham Town Football Club in the town highlighting that many local authorities embraced their football clubs more than CBC, working closer with communities and using football to deliver messages on health and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9