Date set for major debate on Gloucestershire council-shake up
Gloucestershire councillors are set to debate how the county's local government will look in the future
Two options for local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire will be debated at Shire Hall next week.
Gloucestershire County Council has worked with the six districts on how best to change how local authorities are set up in the county.
One of the proposals involves creating a single unitary authority made up of the County Council and all the districts.
And another proposal would see the current County Council area split into two unitary authorities.
One in the east would be composed of the areas currently represented by the Cotswold district and the boroughs of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.
In the west, the unitary council would cover Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and Stroud.
Cabinet has approved today (November 3) the draft local government reorganisation proposals for submission and consideration by full council on November 12, 2025.
Council leader Lisa Spivey (LD, South Cerney) told the meeting that the authority would make a proposal to ministers on November 28 and then it will be up to the Government to decide which they adopt for the county.
“Thereafter there will be a full consultation on any option that the government considers to be viable,” she said.
She said the Government’s “ambitious” timeframe would see elections in May 2027 and new councils coming into being in May 2028.
“That means that over the next year and a half there would have to be huge amounts of work in order to make sure that we could get to that point where the shadow councils would come into play and then for councils taking over those services,” she said.
“It’s really important that we don’t let this drop. We have to keep going, let’s fortify ourselves to keep going.”
She also mentioned the third option which is being developed by Gloucester City Council.
“We believe that is now for Greater Gloucester, as a council plus one other unitary taking the rest of the county footprint,” she said.
“And whilst we have shared data with them and answered any questions they need, that’s been mostly their own work in order to actually work up that proposal.
“So that’s why that particular option hasn’t gone through the same due diligence and process that we’ve done with the other two options will be coming to this council for discussion but I believe will be going to Gloucester City Council for discussion.”
The options
A single unitary council:
One council for the whole of Gloucestershire County Council area.
Would maintain the current county-wide approach to delivering fire and rescue services, adult social care, children’s social care and education services.
Aims to make decisions quicker, cut out repeated work, and provide better, more consistent services.
Expected to save more than £21 million per year, with £164 million in net savings over the next 10 years.
Local communities would have more say through new Neighbourhood Partnerships and links with town and parish councils.
Would invest in digital technology to make services easier to use.
Meets Government requirements and puts Gloucestershire in a strong position for future changes.
Two unitary councils:
Two councils: one for the East made up of the current Cotswold district and boroughs of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury and one for the West covering Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and Stroud.
Keeps a strong local identity for different parts of the county.
Expected to save nearly £11 million a year, with more than £55 million saved in ten years.
Local people would have more say through Neighbourhood Partnerships and links with town and parish councils.
Both councils would invest in digital technology for better services.
Meets Government requirements and supports Gloucestershire’s ambitions.
Greater Gloucester:
Two councils: One made up of an expanded city area called Greater Gloucester and another unitary which would cover the rest of the county
Gives historic city of Gloucester and surrounding parishes a council of their own
Reflects the city’s distinct identity, ambition and current momentum
Based on the Government’s current timetable, elections to the new council or councils would be in May 2027 with the new authority taking over from the current seven councils from April 2028.
The full proposals, along with a timetable of the council meetings where they will be debated can be found on Future Gloucestershire : Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire.