Elections in Cheltenham, scheduled for this year, have been postponed following the Government’s confirmation of new legislation aimed at delaying elections in 29 councils. This move prioritizes freeing up capacity to support the ongoing local government reorganisation.
The decision has split opinions in Cheltenham. Some councillors view holding elections this May as an unnecessary expense, given the recent full council elections just two years ago. In 2024, all 40 seats of Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) were contested due to boundary changes, with Liberal Democrats securing 36 seats, reflecting 51% of the vote.
Normally, CBC holds elections for half of its seats every two years. However, with the Government’s plan to abolish two-tier local authorities like Gloucestershire—where CBC currently operates—the borough council is expected to be replaced by new unitary authorities by April 2028.
READ MORE: Live Gloucestershire Flooding Updates: Roads Closed and Alerts Issued
READ MORE: Cheltenham Town vs Grimsby Town LIVE: Team News, Updates, and Post-Match Reactions
Three proposals for the creation of these new unitary authorities, set to replace Gloucestershire County Council and its six districts, have been submitted to ministers. Given this timeline, CBC leaders requested last month that the upcoming half-council elections be postponed, anticipating the council’s dissolution.
The decision has received criticism from various political groups. The Green Party argues that postponing elections denies voters the opportunity to hold the current Liberal Democrat-led council accountable. Conversely, People Against Bureaucracy’s Stan Smith points out the cost ineffectiveness of holding elections now, as seats will be contested again in 2027 to prepare for the 2028 changes.
The Conservatives, wiped out in the last election, accuse the Liberal Democrats of avoiding electoral scrutiny. Former Tory councillor Tim Harman criticized the Lib Dems for changing their stance on election frequency to suit political convenience.
Reform UK, currently the largest opposition group at Shire Hall, claims polls suggest they would win all 20 seats up for election this year and condemn the postponement as a desperate attempt to avoid electoral defeat.
Council leader Rowena Hay emphasized that the council’s move to return to half-council elections preceded the Government’s reorganisation announcement. She stressed that councillors would not extend beyond their four-year terms and highlighted the frequency of local elections in Cheltenham over the past 15 years.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary of State Steve Reed defended the reorganisation, stating it will eliminate bureaucratic duplication, enabling faster decision-making on housing, better service access, and more efficient use of funds toward community priorities like pothole repairs, crime reduction, and elder care.