Gloucestershire Looking to the Future 2019-2022DRAFT gloucestershire.gov.uk Our Council Strategy 2019-2022 Gloucestershire County Council DRAFT This year has also shown clearly how strong, resilient carbon emissions to 73% (against 2006/07 base and community spirited we are as a county. Covid-19 level) and brought an end to household waste going Introduction has tested us all, presented new challenges and straight to landfill, with the resulting renewable energy above all, has brought out the absolute best in people. generation taking our net emissions reduction to 97%. Gloucestershire is a great The offers of support from individual members of the We have gone on investing in new, improved and community and organisations have been staggering carbon-neutral school facilities, including a new school place to live, work and do and proven invaluable to those who have needed help. in Brockworth to meet the needs of our children We have also been able to showcase the strength with social, emotional and mental health needs, and business. Most local people and effectiveness of the relationships we have with a brand new secondary school in Cheltenham. We colleagues in the police, district councils, the NHS and have delivered significant new or improved cycling enjoy a high standard of the voluntary and community sector. By all working and walking infrastructure and continue our essential together; helping and supporting those who are most flood alleviation work. We are nearing completion living, and our levels of at risk, we have, thankfully seen much lower levels of of our £150m in the county’s road network, having health and wellbeing are impact than in other parts of the UK. resurfaced over 400 miles of road since April 2018. That is not to say there hasn’t been loss and suffering There has also been additional investment in our comfortably above the as a result of Covid-19, there has, and it is important children and family services, which has helped average for the country. we remember those who have sadly lost their lives improve the experiences and outcomes for young and those they have left behind. We must do all we people. There is much more to do but our foot is flat can to minimise others having to deal with the pain to the floor, to make sure improvement continues at Generally, local people and grief that comes with losing a loved one. a good pace. Our commitment to delivering high quality services We know there are many challenges ahead, both are well-educated, remains unwavering but we have also been clear economically and for the health and welfare of our unemployment is low and that this is not enough, if we want the county to be communities. No one is yet clear on what all these successful, prosperous and carbon neutral. We have challenges will be, but we are clear that with our Gloucestershire’s economy had a clear focus on what sort of county we want for partners, our communities and everyone’s hard the future, and how we can work with communities work to date, we are in a strong position to face and is strong and resilient and and partners to bring about the required changes. We overcome them and continue to look towards an have worked hard to move forward projects which will exciting future for our county. the local environment is secure future growth, including progressing work with partners on J9 & 10 of the M5 and the A417 missing diverse and attractive. link, as well as improving our superfast broadband network, which has become more important than ever this year. We have shown strong leadership in tackling climate change and have made significant progress with our climate change commitments; rolling out an ambition Councillor Pete Bungard of tree planting that will see 35 Million new trees Mark Hawthorne MBE Chief Executive planted across the county by 2030; reduced our own Leader of the Council 2 DRAFT Our Council Strategy 2019-2022 Gloucestershire County Council Our vision To make the most of all that Gloucestershire has to offer, help improve the quality of life for every community, support businesses to be successful and make sure the county is a place where people want to live, work and visit. Our ambition is for Gloucestershire to be: A Magnet County A Healthy County A growing working age population, with more 18-40 year olds with People to have a good work/life balance and improved health high level qualifications choosing to live and work in the county and wellbeing An Innovative County A Connected County More businesses starting up, growing and investing in research and innovation Improved transport and internet connections so that people and businesses can connect with each other more easily A Skilled County A Sustainable, Low Carbon County More people with high-level skills and jobs in skilled occupations More efficient use of resources, more use of sustainable energy and carbon-neutral by 2045. A Prosperous County Rising productivity and household incomes offering higher living standards A Resilient County An Inclusive County Active, resilient local communities that keep people safe, provide them with support and help them to make a positive contribution The economic and social benefits of growth to be felt by all communities, including rural, urban and our areas of highest deprivation. Opportunities to be available for all and good relations between those who have protected characteristics and those who do not 3 Our Council Strategy 2019-2022 Gloucestershire County Council DRAFT Demographic change Inequalities and deprivation Challenges and Gloucestershire’s population is ageing more quickly While living standards are high overall, there are areas than the UK average. The increasing number of retired of the county where residents’ outcomes fall well below people in the county will bring experience, resources national averages and where, as a result, local people opportunities and time to their communities, but as they grow older are more likely to depend on the services we provide. and more frail will also need more support from health, 19,415 people (3.1% of the county’s population) live in social care and safeguarding services. We are also areas amongst the most deprived 10% in England. In order to achieve our seeing increasing numbers of people living with disabilities Covid-19 has shone a light on inequalities. We and other long-term conditions in all age groups. vision and ambition for quickly saw evidence emerging of a disproportionate At the same time, our 18-64 population is expected to impact on different parts of society; for example, Gloucestershire, we remain static. Young people tend to leave the county older people, men and some geographic areas. But in their late teens and early twenties - the net loss can by far the biggest impact was seen in people from need to understand and be as many as 400 19-25 year olds per year. While Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. Sadly, plan together for the the concept of ‘working age’ is shifting, we do need we have seen a higher number of Covid-19 cases, to respond to this challenge to make sure we have the deaths, hospitalisations and complications in members opportunities and skills we need to keep the county competitive of these communities. Black and Asian people were and support economic growth. We can also expect between 2.5 and 3 times more likely to be admitted challenges we are facing. to see a trend towards more people living as single to hospitals in the county with Covid-19 than white person households. This will make it harder for people people of the same age. It is important that we seize to rely on immediate family for support in the future, this opportunity to focus on tackling inequalities and and make it more important that they are part of that the learning from the first wave informs not only resilient communities that look out for one another. GCC actions but those of the local system for the second wave. The 2020 Annual Report of the Director Climate change of Public Health focuses on the impact of Covid-19 on the BAME community and provides some clear Along with councils up and down the country, recommendations. Work is also happening via the Gloucestershire County Council has declared a climate Health and Wellbeing Board and within the Integrated change emergency. This recognises the irreversible Care System. impact that humans have already had on climate change and the need for bold and timely action to be taken. The County Council is providing a strong Rural isolation leadership role, working with other public sector As well as being one of our best assets, the rural bodies and local communities, to reduce Carbon nature of the county makes it difficult for some emissions across the whole county. We are already people to access the services they need. This is a close to achieving carbon neutrality as a council and particular challenge for the three out of every twenty have made a strong public commitment to achieving a Gloucestershire households that have no access to carbon neutral county by 2045. We have backed that a car or van. The roll-out of high-speed broadband up with a wide range of ambitious yet practical actions internet access has already reached nearly all as set out in our Climate Change Strategy. addresses across the County, but we need to continue to work towards full coverage so that all households 4 and businesses benefit. DRAFT Our Council Strategy 2019-2022 Gloucestershire County Council Financial reforms already seeing a willingness from communities to play of the wider economy, the potential of robotics and an increasing role in the early and preventative steps artificial intelligence will be critical given our likely The basis on which councils are funded is changing for health and social care.