Cheltenham civic leaders have expressed strong support for dividing Gloucestershire into two unitary authorities—East and West—as the preferred model for local government reorganisation. This approach is viewed as a more democratic and tailored solution compared to a single unitary council.
Currently, the spa town’s services are split between Gloucestershire County Council, which handles education, social care, and waste disposal, and Cheltenham Borough Council, responsible for housing, planning, and bin collections. However, the Government aims to eliminate this two-tier structure and has tasked Shire Hall and the six district councils with proposing alternative local government models.
Two main proposals have emerged: establishing a single unitary authority covering the entire county or splitting the region into two unitaries. The final decision rests with government ministers.
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At a recent council meeting, Cheltenham councillors voted decisively in favour of the East/West split. Under this plan, the East unitary would comprise Cheltenham, Tewkesbury, and the Cotswold district, representing approximately 311,000 residents. The West unitary would include Gloucester, Stroud, and the Forest of Dean, with a population nearing 350,000.
Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay (Liberal Democrat, Oakley) acknowledged that the county did not seek the reform, which is being imposed by the Government. Nonetheless, she advocates for the two-unitary model as a smarter, more adaptable approach that could promote targeted governance, innovation, and growth in both Gloucester and Cheltenham.
Hay emphasized that having two distinct authorities—each balanced between urban centres and their rural surroundings—will offer clarity, scale, and flexibility. She highlighted the potential benefits, such as better digital access, aligned housing and job growth, and improved lifelong wellbeing initiatives.
Conversely, she warned that a single unitary council might prioritize short-term financial savings over the county’s long-term resilience and democratic integrity. “At the end of the day, this is about what we believe is best for Cheltenham,” Hay stated.
Supporting this view, Green Party councillor Ashleigh Davies (St Pauls) noted that while the reform is a significant change imposed from Whitehall, regional identities across Gloucestershire would remain intact regardless of the chosen governance model.
Deputy Leader Peter Jeffries (Liberal Democrat, Springbank) referred to the two-unitary council proposal as the “least worst option,” while Councillor Stan Smith (People Against Bureaucracy, Prestbury) described the reorganisation as an example of “bureaucracy going mental.” Smith believes that two councils are essential to keep Cheltenham connected to its residents.
The final vote reflected this sentiment: 30 councillors supported the East/West option, with only two opposed and two abstentions. The single unitary option was rejected by 29 councillors, receiving just three supporters and two abstentions. Meanwhile, the Greater Gloucester single authority proposal from the City Council was dismissed with 31 votes against.
The council’s cabinet will soon decide whether to formally submit the East/West model to the Government for consideration. Pending approval, elections for the new council structures would take place in May 2027, with the new authorities assuming responsibility by April 2028.