Finding Solutions - an approach that works.
The Partnership is an enabling organisation under which a number of partners in the field of economic development share and co-ordinate their strategies and contribute to an overall economic plan for the County. Such co-ordination ensures that the interests of the County are properly and effectively taken into account and that it plays a full role within the South West region, in partnership with the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), the Government Office for the South West and the Regional Assembly.
Gloucestershire First acts as the County’s interface with the SWRDA - as the Strategic Economic Partnership (SEP) for Gloucestershire. The SWRDA is committed to working strategically with SEPs that are able to exert strong leadership and clear direction on the development of the economy in its area.
We are tasked to:-be strategic; exert economic leadership at the sub-regional level; prioritise sub-regional need and opportunity in response to specific RDA initiatives such as Market & Coastal Towns, Rural Renaissance; represent the needs, interests and concerns of the County in responding to RDA or other regional consultation on strategy and policy development; promote a strong, practical and effective partnership-working ethos.
The South West RDA produce a Gloucestershire Area Team Newsletter - South West RDA News - which provides a quarterly update of activities in the County.