Public likely to be barred from Gloucestershire Airport council meeting
Those wanting a clearer view of what is happening with the controversial sale of Gloucestershire Airport are unlikely to get it this week, after the public and media were barred from a key meeting.
*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.
It looks likely a meeting giving councillors an update on Gloucestershire Airport will be held away from the public eye.
The Staverton airport, which is currently owned by the taxpayers of Gloucester and Cheltenham, is in the process of being sold.
Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council leaders have decided to sell off the 350-acre site for more than £25m in June this year.
The site is run by Gloucestershire Airport Limited which was established in 1993 and of which both councils have a 50 per cent shareholding.
But the two authorities revealed their intention to dispose of the site which has struggled commercially a couple of years ago.
The airport was put up for sale in October 2024 and marketed by Savills with a guide price of £25m.
Council leaders and the airport company’s bosses have stressed the site is being sold as a going concern and its aviation future will be protected.
However, since the appointment of Horizon Aero Group as the site’s preferred bidder speculation has been rife over the site’s future.
There have been fears in Churchdown the site would be redeveloped for housing in the future.
This is something which has been repeatedly denied by council chiefs.
The joint Gloucestershire Airport overview and scrutiny review panel scheduled for October 8 at North Warehouse will give councillors from Cheltenham and Gloucester an operational and financial update on Gloucestershire Airport.
However, the agenda suggests councillors will be asked to consider excluding the press and public for this item because it includes what they see as exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs.
Councillor Stan Smith (People Against Bureaucracy, Prestbury) is among those who believe the public have a right to know.
“Why shouldn’t the press be there?
“With all due respects, the residents of Gloucester and Cheltenham need to know what’s going on.”
Councillor Andrew Gravells (C, Abbeydale), who chairs the overview and scrutiny committee at the City Council, said he would check with the lawyers if part of the update can be discussed in public.
“The reason for the confidential exemption is that final negotiations with the prospective new owners of the airport are still ongoing and the scrutiny meeting is expected to touch on the financial and business affairs of the airport, this is classed as exempt information as defined by the 1972 Local Government Act and its subsequent modifications including the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.
“Any business activities mentioned in an open session have the potential to impact on the disposal price and as such, are deemed to be exempt.
“I will double check all this again though with the legal team before the meeting to see if any parts of this item can be discussed in an open session.”
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com