South Cotswolds MP Roz Savage has reversed her initial support for a two-unitary council arrangement in Gloucestershire and now endorses the creation of a single unitary council for the entire county. This change of heart comes after a comprehensive review of the evidence surrounding local government reorganisation.
The UK Government is aiming to abolish the current two-tier local government system, which separates district councils—responsible for services like waste collection, planning, and housing—from county councils that manage roads, education, and social care. In Gloucestershire, this restructuring means merging district authorities with Gloucestershire County Council to form unitary authorities.
Three proposals have been submitted for consideration: a single unitary authority covering the whole county; a split into East and West unitary councils; and a Greater Gloucester unitary council surrounded by another authority managing the remainder of the county. The Government is expected to consult the public on these options next year.
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Dr. Savage, a world-record-holding ocean rower and South Cotswolds MP, was initially among five MPs supporting the East-West split. However, after analyzing financial data, she now favors the single unitary council due to its greater cost savings and shorter payback period.
“While I initially believed having two unitary councils would keep people closer to their councillors, the numbers just don’t lie,” Dr. Savage explained. “The single unitary option offers £21 million in savings versus £11 million, with a payback in two years instead of four or five. Given the financial pressures councils face, this economically sensible route seems the best way forward, potentially freeing funds for other vital services.”
Despite her support for the single unitary council, Dr. Savage remains cautious about the overall move toward devolution, which she believes is, in reality, a form of centralisation. “People are already feeling overlooked and powerless,” she noted. “This process risks amplifying that frustration unless communities are genuinely empowered.”
She praised Gloucestershire County Council leader Lisa Spivey for her professional handling of this complex and challenging process during financially strained times.
In response to concerns about distancing local representation, Dr. Savage announced plans to strengthen local community engagement through her Stronger South Cotswolds project. This initiative aims to empower parish and town councils, ensuring that residents continue to feel their voices are heard close to home.
Currently, the single unitary council proposal is backed by Gloucestershire County Council, Cotswold District Council, Stroud District Council, and Tewkesbury Borough Council, along with MPs Cameron Thomas, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, and Roz Savage herself. Cheltenham Borough Council supports the alternative East-West option, endorsed by local MPs. Gloucester City Council supports the Greater Gloucester model, while Forest of Dean District Council opposes all proposed reorganisations.