Gloucestershire’s local authorities wanted to identify opportunities for joint working in the area of economic development. HJA undertook a scoping study that identified existing economic development activity in Gloucestershire, identified possible areas for joint working, and suggested a model for the delivery of effective joint working in the future.
We conducted consultations with each of the local authority leaders and senior officers, carried out a thorough documentary review, and undertook investigations into good practice in three other locations – Cumbria, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire.
Our findings demonstrated how the seven Gloucestershire local authorities can cooperate with each other, but still maintain local distinctiveness between the districts, and healthy competition for economic growth.