The recent Government decision to establish a single unitary council for Gloucestershire has been warmly welcomed by residents of Coopers Edge, a suburb of Gloucester. Locals feared that splitting the county into East and West councils would have caused “absolute chaos” for their community due to the complicated existing boundaries.
Currently, Coopers Edge is divided between two districts, Stroud and Tewkesbury, and falls under the jurisdiction of three parish councils: Brockworth, Hucclecote, and Upton St Leonards. These boundary lines have previously been described as “bonkers,” with some lines even splitting through the middle of individuals’ homes.
County Councillor Ben Evans (Liberal Democrat, Brockworth) expressed his satisfaction with the decision not to divide Gloucestershire into two separate councils, noting that the main council services will soon be coordinated by a single authority. He highlighted the absurdity of the alternative proposal by describing how the local Tesco Express on Lobleys Drive would have had its front door in the proposed East Gloucestershire Council and the back door in West Gloucestershire, effectively splitting the community.
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“There is no doubt in my mind that for Brockworth, one unitary is the best decision,” Councillor Evans stated.
Chas Townley of Hucclecote Parish Council also praised the decision, calling it “absolutely fantastic” for Coopers Edge. He explained that having all three parishes within one unitary council will simplify the creation of a single parish council for the community. He warned that if Stroud and Tewkesbury had been placed in separate unitary councils, coordinating local matters would have been exceptionally difficult.
All three parish councils representing the area supported the single unitary option, agreeing it made much more sense than the alternatives. Mr Townley added that the responsibility of creating a single parish for Coopers Edge would now rest with the new Gloucestershire Council rather than with the Government. Efforts have already begun to engage with residents to determine how quickly this can be achieved.
Elections for the new Gloucestershire Council are expected to take place in May next year, with the structural changes coming into effect in April 2028. At that time, the current county, city, and district councils will be dissolved, marking a new chapter in local governance for the county and its communities.