Happy New Year! Thank you to all those hard at work over the break, including staff at GCHQ. Having spoken to my ministerial counterparts in the USA, the Council of Europe, and at the G7 in Japan, I know first-hand just how admired and appreciated our signals intelligence capability is.
Here in Cheltenham, 2023 was a momentous year. Although inflation continued to weigh on households and businesses, it was also the time when ten key projects received vital investment to help secure a bright future for our town.
First the £400m Government funded Air Balloon road scheme. Despite some speculating it was for the chop, the project is now fully underway. It means a once-in-a-generation investment in Cheltenham’s economy, as well as a reduction in air pollution and road deaths.
Second, £10.2m has been secured for a brand-new orthopaedic theatre and birthing unit at Cheltenham General Hospital. In addition to the new theatre there will also be new high-tech equipment including ultra-clean ventilation, modern operating equipment and x-ray facilities with the future possibilities of using robotic assisted surgery. That comes on top of the new Chedworth Wing built opposite the Lido, and takes the total capital investment in our hospital since 2015 to over £40m.
Third, the Government agreed to award £20m from the Levelling-Up Fund to Cheltenham to help build the Cyber Innovation Centre near GCHQ, to create high-paid jobs of the future.
Fourth, in 2023 the Government has invested £4m in a state-of-the-art construction skills academy at GlosCol in Hesters Way to deliver fantastic opportunities for Cheltonians, and a pipeline of local skills. That’s on top of an earlier £3m grant for the Advanced Digital Academy and £4m for a new carbon neutral heating scheme.
Fifth, in September Cheltenham Saracens FC and Cheltenham Skittles League were granted £458,000 in Government funding to upgrade their facilities and build a new community sports hub at Petersfield Park.
Sixth, around £500,000 has been secured from Severn Trent to deliver an engineering solution near Dunkerton’s to the decades-long scandal of sewage draining into the River Chelt during heavy rain.
Seventh, in April the Government, Premier League and FA granted Leckhampton Rovers FC £428,000 in to help transform its Burrows Playing Fields home, with extensive grass pitch works and the refurbishment of the changing room pavilion.
Eighth, the Government agreed to invest £250,000 in a new digital learning and skills hub at Oakley Library, supporting local schools and students, early years children and isolated adults in sheltered accommodation.
Ninth, the Government invested £4.4m in bus services in Gloucestershire, helping to bring back more services in Hesters Way and St Mark’s.
Tenth, £6m was awarded by the Government to UGlos to build a cyber and digital skills centre in the Cheltenham campus.
Cheltenham is one of the most special places in Britain. I am passionate about making it better still, particularly for young people from all backgrounds. There’s more to do of course, and I’ll be talking about that in due course.
For now, thank you to all those in our town who worked so hard in 2023 to help support a vibrant economy and a strong community.
[Column published in the Glos Echo and Cheltenham Post]