Gloucestershire County Council today announced an investment package to bring better infrastructure, skills and jobs to the county.

Worth more than an estimated £100 million, the package includes investments in high speed broadband, better road links, skills for young people and deposits for first time buyers.

At a meeting of budget Cabinet (1 Feb), councillors agreed a proposal to pump millions of pounds worth of investment over the next two years, into kick-starting Gloucestershire’s economy. The young, the unemployed, low skilled and rurally isolated were at the heart of the proposals.

The proposal will now be put to a meeting of Full Council on 22 February 2012 for approval.

Gloucestershire County Council Leader, Mark Hawthorne said: “I am delighted to announce this economic stimulus package, which shows that this council is committed to helping grow Gloucestershire in a time of austerity.”

“Whilst we are working hard to reduce costs, we also have to invest in Gloucestershire’s future. Our priority is to invest in schemes that will keep young people – and talent – in Gloucestershire. As the county’s biggest employer, the onus is on us to help deliver growth, create jobs and get the housing market moving.”

Both the Local Enterprise Partnership (G1st) and District Councils are supporting business and homeowners with their own stimulus packages. However, Gloucestershire County Council has identified further areas in which investment is needed.

The proposal contains priority commitments in three main areas:

·         Connecting the county through improved infrastructure, from roads to broadband

·         Giving young people the right skills to get jobs

·         Helping first time buyers get on the housing ladder so keeping talent in Gloucestershire.

Highlights include: £7.5million to bring superfast broadband to rural areas; delivering the £10 million Cinderford Spine Road; £1million for deposits for first time buyers; Skills Summit event to bring business and education leaders together: £1million GCC resources into an opportunities fund; around 25 GCC apprenticeships.

This investment contributes to an overall package of projects worth £100 million.