A new £35,000-a-year communications officer role, created to “convince the public” that the Greater Gloucester local government reorganisation plan is the best option, has ignited fierce criticism as a misuse of taxpayer money. Gloucester City Council has advertised this 37-hour-a-week, one-year fixed-term position amid wider discussions concerning the future structure of local authority in Gloucestershire.
Last year, government ministers announced a sweeping reorganisation of local councils across England, with Gloucestershire currently operating under a two-tier system—splitting services between the county and district councils. Three proposals are on the table: a single unitary authority for the entire county, favored by Gloucestershire County and Tewkesbury Borough councils; two unitary councils, east and west, backed by the majority of local MPs; and the controversial “Liberal doughnut” model supported by Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton, which proposes a unitary authority centered around Gloucester alone.
The “Greater Gloucester” idea has previously raised concerns among neighbouring villages wary of the implications. Now, councillors at North Warehouse express astonishment at the council’s decision to fund a communications role explicitly aimed at promoting this unapproved and divisive plan.
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Conservative leader Stephanie Chambers described the job as “an abuse of public funds and public trust.” She condemned the post’s advertised purpose to “convince” residents rather than inform or listen, accusing the council of manipulating public opinion to push a political agenda. Chambers called for the position to be withdrawn and urged the formation of a cross-party committee to ensure transparency and democratic scrutiny in the reorganisation process.
Labour’s Terry Pullen echoed these concerns, questioning the priority of spending on a communications officer amid pressing local challenges such as housing, homelessness, street cleanliness, and cost-of-living support. “The council has got this completely wrong,” Pullen said. “Funds should focus on current services, not hypothetical future structures.”
Community Independents leader Alastair Chambers also criticized the role, highlighting the job advert’s language about convincing various stakeholders as evidence of political manipulation rather than genuine engagement. He noted the “doughnut” plan effectively isolates Gloucester while surrounding districts form a unified governance body—a concept already met with derision by neighbouring councils, including those led by fellow Liberal Democrats.
In contrast, City Council leader Jeremy Hilton defended the appointment as essential for democratic engagement. He accused opponents of misunderstanding the role and emphasized the need to involve residents in meaningful conversations about local government’s future. Hilton underscored that no public consultation had yet taken place on any proposal, and that Gloucester residents deserve a voice, not silence.
Hilton also criticized Conservative attempts to postpone county elections and push for a single unitary council without public input, framing his group’s efforts as a fight for democratic rights. He reaffirmed that final decisions will rest with the Government and partner authorities, acknowledging that proper consultation must proceed without haste.
A City Council spokesperson reiterated the commitment to inform all city residents about the potential impact of government reforms on essential services such as road repairs and social care. They described the communications officer’s role as instrumental in educating the public about ongoing proposals, noting the early-stage nature of discussions and upcoming deadlines for more detailed plans.
The “Greater Gloucester” proposal was part of a March 2025 letter to the Government responding to a call for reorganisation ideas from Local Government Minister Jim McMahon. With no final decisions yet, the process continues, but this new communications role has already become a flashpoint for debate over public funds and political transparency.