Agenda item

To receive an update on the progress made on creating a lasting Covid-19 Memorial to be sited in a prominent location in the city.

105.1  The Leader of the Council, Coun105.1  The Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Cook, advised Members that the progress update outlined the current position on the creation of a Covid-19 Memorial in Gloucester city. He stated that a location for the memorial had been agreed and the proposal was to erect the memorial in Gloucester Park opposite the Spa Road entrance gate. Councillor Cook further informed Members that the proposed concept was for a circle of stones and that each stone would represent a group of key workers providing essential services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Councillor Cook confirmed that the Ecclesiastical Insurance and Financial Services company was involved in the project and it was hoped that local stone and local stone masons would be sourced in the construction of the monument. He added that the provisional title for the monument was ‘We Stood Together’ and that signage would be provided to explain the symbology.

105.2  Councillor Dee asked how the memorial would commemorate residents who had lost their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader confirmed that the final design would commemorate individuals who has lost their lives to Covid-19, however the memorial was still in the planning stage and that stone masons at Gloucester Cathedral were still currently working on the design.

105.3  Councillor Dee expressed concerns about the provisional title for the monument ‘We Stood Together’, noting that proximity to other people was not permitted under Covid-19 restrictions. Councillor Cook noted that he understood Councillor Dee’s point and that he would be willing to listen to alternative suggestions.

105.4  In response to a further question from Councillor Dee regarding involvement from the local community in the scheme, the Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader confirmed that once the design was in place, the council would engage with communities and seek their input. He provided an overview of the proposal at that stage, which consisted of a circle of stones representing each group of key workers as outlined in the progress update.

105.5  The Chair expressed the view that the proposed location in Gloucester Park was a good one and noted that he was pleased that Ecclesiastical Insurance and Financial Services were involved in the project. Referring to the proposed wording on the stones, he queried whether this wording would represent individual sectors, noting that it was important that the language could be clearly understood by all members of the public. The Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader reiterated that the monument was still in the planning stage, however there were plans to involve local apprentices in the image design.

105.6  In response to further comments from the Chair recognising the huge community effort throughout the pandemic and whether the memorial would pay tribute to volunteers such as those who assisted with food distribution, the Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader confirmed that the voluntary sector would be one of the groups of key workers included in the memorial.

105.7  Councillor Dee queried whether the memorial would refer to the contribution made by the private sector. The Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader explained that the groups of key workers set out in the progress update included all groups from the official Government list.

105.8  The Chair noted that he would like to see the voluntary sector recognised in its own identity and Councillor Gravells noted his agreement. Councillor Gravells further noted that it was important that the wording of the memorial was sensitive, and suggested that public health officials and faith leaders should also be tributed.

105.9  The Chair commented that Overview and Scrutiny Members wanted to be helpful and supportive of the project. He reflected on the major impact the Covid-19 pandemic had had on the lives of everyone in the UK and stated that it was important that the memorial was inclusive and recognised all contributions.

105.10          In response to an additional suggestion from Councillor Evans as to whether consideration might be to include the wording ‘Gloucester’ in the design, The Leader indicated that any suggestions or input from Overview and Scrutiny Members would be welcomed, and that explanatory signage would be key to explaining the context of the memorial. The Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader noted that the current plan was to make use of materials sourced from a local quarry in the Forest of Dean area.

105.11          A discussion ensued and Councillor Gravells suggested that if Members wanted to make any further suggestions, they provide details in writing directly to Councillor Cook and the Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader.

105.12          The Chair asked whether there was an indicative timescale for the memorial development. The Open Spaces Strategy Team Leader confirmed that he was not in a position to provide a timescale at that stage but would be in a position to update Members once he had discussed the latest developments with the stone masons. Councillor Cook expressed the view that the Covid-19 Memorial was not a project which should be rushed, reflecting on the amount of time taken to design and build fitting WWI and WWII memorials.

          RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee NOTE the update.