Area
With a total land area of 497 sq km, (53,510 hectares) South Gloucestershire is the largest Unitary Authority of the ten in the South West stretching from the Severn Estuary in the west to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in the east. Its southern boundary borders Bristol, abuts the River Avon and extends almost to Bath. Both the first and second crossing of the River Severn lie within South Gloucestershire and the area is well served by both motorway and rail links. The district has a rich natural and cultural heritage and is an area of diversity and contrast with a variety of communities, characterised by the special relationship between town and country. Attractive and historic landscapes link unspoilt market towns, villages and established rural and urban communities with major new residential areas, industrial and commercial developments.
Population
The population of South Gloucestershire is 256,516 (ONS 2007 mid year estimate). This accounts for 5% of the total population of the South West. Much of the population is concentrated in the expanding northern and eastern urban fringe areas of Bristol. Yate / Chipping Sodbury and Thornbury are the largest freestanding settlements with populations of 35,000 and 14,000 respectively. There are approximately 106,847 households in South Gloucestershire (Source: Valuation Office Agency, March 2008). The population structure is very similar to the national average, with 20% aged under 16 years, 65% aged 16-65 years and 15% in the 65 years and over age group. The proportion who are in employment is however higher than the national average (83% compared to 74%), reflecting the strong economy of the area.
Economy
South Gloucestershire has been one of the fastest growing areas in the country with a population increase of 8.5%, around 162ha of employment land developed, 38,000 jobs created and 12,000 homes built in the last decade. The area has well established manufacturing industries such as aerospace and newer commercial development. Many high technology companies are now based in South Gloucestershire and a high profile science park is being developed in partnership with the South West of England Regional Development Agency and the Universities of Bristol, Bath and the West of England. Substantial growth has also taken place in recent years in the East Fringe of Bristol at Longwell Green and Emersons Green and beyond the Green Belt at Yate/Chipping Sodbury.
In September 2008 South Gloucestershire’s employment rate was the highest among SW counties and unitary authorities at 83.2% of the working age population. The latest unemployment rate for South Gloucestershire is 3.2% of the economically active 16+ population. (Source: ONS Annual Population Survey/Model-based unemployment rates Oct 07 - Sept 08)
Gross Value Added (GVA) measures the wealth created by business that contributes to the economy of the United Kingdom. GVA is calculated locally for a region that consists of South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset and North Somerset. For 2006, the GVA per head was £20,447, higher than the South West (£17,386) and England (£19, 413). (Source: ONS Dec 08)
Travel
As the gateway to Wales and the west, both the first and second crossings of the River Severn lie within South Gloucestershire. The area is well served by the transport network with the M4/M5 interchange at Almondsbury. The M4 (London to South Wales) runs from east to west, the M5 (Birmingham to Exeter) runs from north to south, and the M32 gives direct access to Bristol. Main line inter city passenger rail services are available from Bristol Parkway Station in Stoke Gifford.
The council
The council has approximately 7,800 staff based throughout the area and is the largest employer in the district. Within South Gloucestershire there are 44 parish and town councils, 35 wards and nearly 1,000 voluntary groups. 