All Three Council Reorganisation Plans for Gloucestershire Submitted to Government

Gloucestershire is set for a potential overhaul of its local government structure as all three council reorganisation proposals will be forwarded to the Government for consideration. Each plan has secured support from at least one local authority, marking a significant step in the county’s journey toward streamlined governance.

Currently, Gloucestershire operates under a two-tier system with a county council and six borough, district, and city councils. The Government aims to simplify this structure by merging district authorities with county councils to form stronger, unitary councils capable of delivering all local services.

Over recent months, Gloucestershire County Council collaborated with the six boroughs, districts, and the city council to develop three main proposals:

‘One Gloucestershire’ Single Unitary Authority: This plan, supported by Gloucestershire County Council, Tewkesbury Borough, and Stroud District Council, advocates for a single council covering the entire county area currently managed by Shire Hall.
East-West Split Unitary Authorities: Backed by Cheltenham Borough Council, this proposal suggests creating two unitary councils—one in the East comprising Cheltenham, Cotswold, and Tewkesbury, and one in the West covering Gloucester, Stroud, and the Forest of Dean.
Greater Gloucester Scheme: Devised by Gloucester City Council, this plan calls for a Greater Gloucester unitary authority alongside a separate council for the rest of Gloucestershire.

While the Forest of Dean District Council rejected all three proposals due to concerns about diminishing local democracy, Cotswold District Council is scheduled to discuss these options at their meeting on November 27.

All three proposals must be submitted to the Government by November 28. Following submission, a public consultation involving Gloucestershire residents and key stakeholders is anticipated early next year. The Government’s decision on which proposal to implement is expected by summer.

If approved, elections for the new council(s) would take place in May 2027, with the new authority or authorities officially assuming responsibilities from the current seven councils in April 2028.