The City Region Board is scheduled to meet on Friday 30 January 2026 to discuss the use of Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF) funding for key strategic initiatives. A significant portion of the meeting will focus on the proposed allocation of funds to support the development of Gloucestershire's Transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS).

Transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS) and Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF)

A key item on the agenda is the consideration of a proposal to utilise the City Region Board's ringfenced SEDF to support the delivery of the Transitional Spatial Development Strategy (tSDS) for Gloucestershire. This strategy is a crucial element in the county's planning framework, particularly in light of the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025¹, which designates upper-tier authorities, such as Gloucestershire County Council, as Strategic Planning Authorities responsible for producing SDSs.

The report details that £345,000 from the 'Strategic Plan for Growth' SEDF funding pot is being requested to fund various SDS activities. This funding is intended to cover staff costs for a full-time GIS officer for two years, as well as evidence gathering and production costs, including an integrated impact assessment, viability assessment, strategic transport modelling, waste infrastructure requirements, and GIS software and hardware. The report highlights that without this funding, there is a risk that the SDS could be delayed or not progress in a timely manner, potentially impacting the adoption of Local Plans.

The tSDS aims to provide a strategic spatial plan that offers a sub-regional policy context, working in conjunction with Local Plans which will set local policy and land use allocations. The strategy is being developed in collaboration with Gloucestershire's seven local authorities and is intended to be agile and adaptable to potential changes arising from Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution. The timeline for the SDS includes public consultation in Autumn 2026, submission in late 2027, examination in public during 2028, and adoption before May 2029.

Housing Commission and Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF)

The agenda also indicates a discussion regarding a Housing Commission for Gloucestershire and the use of SEDF ringfenced funding to support its delivery. While the specific details of this item are marked as To follow in the agenda, it suggests a focus on how economic development funds can be leveraged to address housing needs within the region.

Business Rate Pool and Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF) Position

The Board is also scheduled to receive an update on the position of the Business Rate Pool and the Strategic Economic Development Fund (SEDF). The Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool was established to maximise business rates income retained within the county, with the resulting SEDF allocated through a bidding process to support economic growth. The report notes that changes to the pool membership and anticipated government reforms to business rates in 2026 may impact the viability and benefits of continuing the pool. The current unallocated SEDF funding is stated as £2.206 million, with an indicative pool gain forecast for 2025/2026.

Work Plan

The Board will review its work plan for future meetings. This includes noting suggested items for consideration and ensuring that key strategic areas, such as the Transitional Spatial Development Strategy and the CyNam and Cyber sector, are included. The work plan for 2026 already lists updates on the Transitional Spatial Development Strategy as a regular item for each meeting.