The planned sale of Gloucestershire Airport, alongside other key projects such as the Greyfriars regeneration, will proceed despite the recent removal of Gloucester City Council’s leader.
Liberal Democrat Jeremy Hilton, representing Kingsholm and Wotton, was ousted following a vote of no-confidence at the council meeting on 24 September. The vote resulted in 21 councillors supporting his removal against 18 opposing it.
The motion to remove Mr Hilton was backed by Conservative and Labour members, led by Community Independent councillor Alastair Chambers from Matson, Robinswood and White City. Conversely, Liberal Democrats and an Independent Tory councillor opposed the motion. Despite the vote succeeding, no replacement leader was nominated, leaving the council without a leader at present.
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Following the leader’s ousting, the council continued its meeting with the cabinet having resigned. Councillors agreed to empower council officers to complete the sale of Gloucestershire Airport should a new preferred bidder be identified.
The airport, spanning 375 acres in Staverton, is jointly owned by Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council. Both authorities have faced substantial financial burdens from the airport in recent years and are keen to sell it in a manner that safeguards its aviation future.
During the debate, Mr Hilton emphasised the importance of coordinating the sale with their partners in Cheltenham. He noted that bids for operating the airport were due to close on 30 September and highlighted conditions requiring the airport to operate for at least five years. Additionally, he mentioned provisions for overage charges should the site be repurposed.
Conservative councillor Andy Lewis expressed frustration with the current situation, stating, “We can’t live in fantasy land anymore. We’ve just got to get rid.”
Labour group leader Terry Pullen, representing Moreland, echoed concerns about the council’s financial position, indicating the sale was necessary to address the council’s multi-million pound debts. “This council has been discussing the airport for years and years. Look where it has got them: nowhere. More uncertainty, more loss, more debt. Can we just get real? This airport needs to be sold,” he said.
The sale proposal was ultimately approved.
In a statement following the meeting, Gloucester City Council sought to reassure residents and the wider community, emphasising that operations continue as normal despite the temporary absence of a leader and cabinet. The council stated that officers remain fully committed to delivering services, managing major projects, improving the council’s financial position, and achieving agreed priorities.
Senior officers will collaborate with political group leaders to determine the council’s future leadership. In the meantime, the council confirmed that the current political situation does not impact the delivery of essential services relied upon by residents and businesses.
Regarding finances, the council acknowledged the possibility of requesting further emergency funding from the Government but stressed that this was neither new nor unexpected. When applying for £15.5 million of support for 2026/27, they advised Government officials that additional support might be necessary in 2027/28 while ongoing transformation and improvement programmes mature.
The council added that it remains focused on strengthening its overall financial position and implementing the significant improvements recognised in the recent Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Assurance Report commissioned by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.