What will devolution mean for Gloucestershire?

Gloucestershire is about to face the biggest change to how it is governed in a lifetime and is racing to understand what the Devolution Bill means for the county.

Dear readers,

Today’s edition came super late in the day on Monday, mostly due to the late publication of the Government’s White Paper on devolution (yes, I’m blaming the Government - although Christmas also played its part!).

The Labour Government believes firmly that down this route - giving more power to the regions - lies cost savings, investment potential, job creation and a return of local decision making.

Raikes was lucky enough to sit down with the leader of Gloucestershire County Council today to chat about the many challenges in his in-tray - and not least about devolution and what it means for the county.

Is it looking at a mayoral system, will we see the end of the six district councils, will we see a unitary authority, will the county be forced to merge with an area outside its current boundary in order to achieve its favoured route?

It’s an interesting time for the council and the county.

Davies steps in after a 10-year reign by fellow Conservative Mark Hawthorne (MBE), the council is no longer awash with Conservative blue, its chief executive officer, Pete Bungard, is due to retire in May 2025, GFirst LEP - a strong and independent voice of business both here in in Downing Street was swallowed up by the county council earlier this year and the Western Gateway Partnership - the other independent voice shouting for Gloucestershire, is under review.

That’s why we’ve spent some time on the story. The way forward is not conclusive yet, but the new leader seems determined to lead an open, business friendly authority.

You can read what county council leader, Cllr Stephen Davies, thinks below.

(For those waiting for the write-up on QuoLux’s masterclass event last week - it’s coming! On Wednesday we hope.)

Andrew Merrell (editor).

NB: Raikes publishes probably the best-read business-related email ‘newsletter’, pound for pound, in Gloucestershire.

If you have a story, an issue, a news item, a charity or an interview you want us to write about or investigate, challenge the powers that be on, then please email me: andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.

---

Gloucester is overrun by Santa Claus lookalikes!

Matt Cass, the organiser of the Rotary Club of Gloucester’s city centre fun run at the weekend, had said he wanted to ‘fill King’s Square with Santa Clause impersonators - and he almost got his wish. The annual Santa fun run in aid of Gloucester charity’s invites all-comers to dress up as Father Christmas (or an elf or similar) and take on the 1km or 5km challenge around the city’s streets. This year there was a record turnout raising more than £5,000 - the largest amount since the Rotary club first staged the run in 2017. Runners started in King’s Square in the city centre, went up and down its gate streets and past the Cathedral to finish back in the square. Cass, also a director of Barnwood-based Cass Stephens Insurance, said the event raised funds for the club’s Gloucester Community Awards, which give money to local groups, projects and charities.

*If you know a charity that needs more publicity or would like to be featured on an edition of Raikes, please email andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.

---

Your briefing notes…

🛍️ Need to create some time to finish that Christmas shopping still and need a flying visit into town? There is free parking in Gloucester after 3pm on Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 December at Eastgate and King’s Walk shopping centre car parks. You can thank Gloucester City Council for the decision to lift the charges across those days and Gloucester BID for letting us know to spread the word.

📽️ Next year is the 40th anniversary of The Nelson Trust which works to support people recovering from addiction and much more.

It kicks off a year of fundraising events with a screening of Season Two of SAS Rogue Heroes, the hit BBC series from director and writer Steven Knight. Knight, who famously wrote TV hit Peaky Blinders and is now working on the next Star Wars film, will speak before the screening, which tells the story of the creation of the world’s first Special Forces unit during World War II. Due to show on January 5 from 6pm to 9pm at The Parkinson Lecture Theatre at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. Find out more here.

🏘️ Looking into 2025 – Willans LLP, the Cheltenham-headquartered law firm, is due to stage a special property seminar in January. If you’re a buy-to-let property owner or considering entering the market it could be of interest to you. The firm’s experienced property lawyers Suzanne O’Riordan and James Melvin-Bath, as well as guest speakers Vanessa Clark of Azets and Paul Davis of Ludice Wealth Management Ltd, will tackle topics including practical tips on how to boost and protect your investment property portfolio. A guide to managing your investment property in 2025 is due to take place on Tuesday 14 January from 5.30 to 7pm at Gloucester Guildhall. Find out more here.

🏆 The Royal Agricultural University (RAU) has revealed the winners of its inaugural Farm491 Challenge Prize. The competition, supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, whittled down a shortlist of 15 firms to one winner. RegenFarmCo received the top prize of £50,000. Runner-up, Agile Property and Homes, secured £25,000. RegenFarmCo supports design projects that apply regenerative food production methods to enable novel supply chain opportunities through unique partnerships with farmers, foresters, and landowners. Agile Property and Homes designs and delivers affordable, safe, and low-carbon homes using biobased materials and modern construction methods.

💐🌵🐠 Dobbies garden centre off junction nine of the M5 at Gloucester has shut for good. The firm said the store was closing as part of its restructuring plans which have also seen a number of other Dobbies close in recent weeks. In a message to customers on its website the store, off Bath Road, Haresfield, near Stonehouse, thanks customers and reminded them their nearest Dobbies was now in Tewkesbury.

---

Gloucester Rugby’s latest signing revealed

We couldn’t resist this one, even though the news is out there already - not least because it features one of Raikes’ Founding Partners, the firms that have made this digital magazine possible. Willans LLP has announced a three-year partnership as the official partner and legal services provider to Gloucester Rugby. The Cheltenham-based firm is also sponsoring the Gloucester Rugby Business Club. Alex Brown, CEO of the Kingsholm club, said: “Willans LLP solicitors has a huge presence in the Gloucestershire community, and in the sporting circle, so we’re delighted to partner with them.” Willans’ senior partner in litigation and dispute resolution, and a life-long Gloucester Rugby fan, Paul Gordon, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Gloucester Rugby and to offer our support and services to its fans, players and wider club members. We look forward to cheering on the team over the next few seasons.”

---

* Everything you read on The Raikes Journal is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne, our sponsors Hartpury University and Hartpury College, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

If you upgrade to paid you’ll be part of this community interest company too. We are dedicated to delivering quality journalism for Gloucestershire, to championing the county, in particular its businesses, charities, education and training providers, and to helping create an even stronger community. If you upgrade to paid you will be able to see past the paywalls often put on our second and third email editions of the week, that lock all our archive after two weeks and lock our rolling Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series. You will be able to comment on our stories too. You’ll be helping make this CIC sustainable.

If you sign up now you can take advantage of our 30 per cent off offer - and become a member for a year for just £84, which works out at £7 a month or £1.62 a week! The offer ends this week. Or go all in and become one of our Founding Partners or Founding Members!

---

Contract wins drive 84 per cent growth at teach firm

In August this firm was annoucing it had increased turnover in the previous 12 months by £2.2 million, taking the total to £3 million. And now Cheltenham-headquartered IT support services business Emerge Digital has revealed that growth continues apace. According to the latest statement from the Eagle Tower-based business new contracts in 2024 have amounted to £500,000 in total - many with new customers. Those customers include Everhot, The HR Dept, Green Gourmet, Bannister Transport, 4R Group, Blueprint Project Solutions, and Deya Brewing Company, which have all agreed to undergo what Emerge is calling “digital transformation projects”. Companies include BWS Group, Lakes Showering Spaces, Frog Environmental, H&H Distribution and Constructing Excellence South West, have agreed ongoing IT support contracts. Work includes implentation of AI adoption and app development to CRM updates and IT support. Emege said in its last 12 months it had increased customer base by 26 per cent contributing to 84 per cent growth for the innovation arm of its business. Staff numbers currently stand at 21.

---

What will devolution mean for Gloucestershire?

Gloucestershire is about to face the biggest change to how it is governed in a lifetime and is racing to understand what the Devolution Bill means for the county.

By Andrew Merrell.

Billed as the “biggest transfer of power out of Westminster this century”, the Devolution Bill published today (Monday December 12) sets out how the Government plans to ‘put the destiny of England’s regions in their own hands’.

But where does the 118-page document leave Gloucestershire?