Over 100 business leaders from across the region gathered for the inaugural Gloucestershire Business Question Time, organised by property consultancy Bruton Knowles, to question the expert panel on the impact of the coalition Government’s policies on the region’s regeneration, inward investment, economy, planning system and business health. Wider issues were also tackled such as the support for SMEs in the region, green technologies and the championing of apprenticeship schemes for business. 

Answering wide-ranging questions from the floor were panellists Mike Warburton, senior tax partner at Grant Thornton and broadcaster, Chris Oldershaw, chief executive of the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC), Ian Mellor of Barton Willmore, the UK’s largest independent planning consultancy and Nick Millard, chairman of partners at Bruton Knowles. Editor in chief at Gloucestershire Media, Ian Mean chaired the event.

Of key concern to business leaders at the event is the proposed funding cuts for regeneration projects. Chris Oldershaw, chief executive of the GHURC said that whilst the city’s planned ten year regeneration programme may take longer to complete, Liverpool’s internationally-acclaimed regeneration took 30 years and three recessions to achieve. He also talked about exploring the viability of more joint ventures and seeking the relaxation of 106 agreements to maintain momentum. He commented: “Following the expected announcements on budget cuts on 20th October in the Comprehensive Spending Review, the GHURC will sit down with our partners and work out how to respond to those cuts. We need to ensure the long term vision, the momentum and underlying confidence in Gloucester’s successful regeneration is maintained.”

The coalition Government’s overhaul of the planning system also came under scrutiny. Ian Mellor at Barton Willmore said that the proposals had been met with dismay by the industry. He commented: “In the last five weeks we have seen another total overhaul of the planning system (the last one was in 2004) and this is the last thing we need in a recession. We are seeing the complete politicisation of the planning system and we have moved away from a rational evidence-based system. The impact will be fewer houses, less affordable housing and a system which will bring forward less development.”

All the members of the panel agreed that securing a highly skilled workforce is crucial to the region’s future prosperity. Mike Warburton declared that the UK has become an “unbalanced economy geared towards consumption” and that “there needs to be a move back towards manufacturing and exporting”.  Mr Warburton highlighted predictions of export growth made in the red book summary of the coalition Government’s emergency budget which points to a substantial increase in exports up to the period 2015.  It was agreed that to achieve this export growth we need to cultivate a highly skilled workforce as industry needs to rebuild its skills set to rebalance the economy; the key is for more young people to focus more on compound subjects like maths, physics and chemistry at school. On the positive side, Mike commented: “The good news is that Gloucestershire and the south west has a lot of high tech, high growth companies so it is well positioned for growth.”

The strong panel was matched by an impressive delegate list including Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, David Owen from Gloucestershire First and representatives from many prominent regional businesses. The delegate list included BPE, Rickerbys, Robert Hitchins, Cheltenham Borough Council, University of Gloucestershire, Peel Leisure, Lloyds TSB, Crondean Properties, Quadra, NatWest and many more. All delegates had the opportunity to discuss and share views with other business leaders after the Question Time session.

One delegate, Thomas Morrison from solicitors Charles Russell commented: “This was an extremely good and well-organised event. The debate flowed well thanks to the quality of the expert panel. Some very pertinent questions were raised - particularly in light of this era of austerity. All these questions need debate and answers, especially from our politicians and leaders.” 

Another attendee Oliver Whittaker, Economic Development Officer from Gloucester City Council said: “Businesses in the region all benefit from coming together at events like these to network and discuss the big issues affecting the local economy. We certainly encourage local businesses to capitalise on networking opportunities like these.”

On behalf of the event organisers, Nick Millard, chairman of partners at Bruton Knowles commented: “We are delighted that this forum provided such a sharp and insightful debate among key stakeholders in the region at such a critical time following coalition Government’s emergency budget. As we emerge from recession, businesses are coming under increasing pressure to cope with all nature of challenges including fiscal measures and increased taxation to cuts in public spending and changes to planning policy. Against this, businesses must play a key role in the economic recovery, so it’s vital they are prepared and informed.”
Event chair, Ian Mean, editor in chief of Gloucester Media, summed up the success of the evening by telling delegates: “We need more gatherings like this, supported by people prepared to share informed opinion and take action on key issues. It’s vital for the region that the momentum for regeneration is not lost.”  

Organised by Bruton Knowles, the event was supported by all the county’s leading business support organisations, including Business Link, the Federation of Small Business, Gloucestershire First and Marketing Gloucester.