Gloucestershire County Council has agreed to propose the creation of a single unitary authority as the preferred model for local government reorganisation, moving forward with plans to submit this option to government ministers. The decision follows extensive debate over proposals developed in collaboration with the county’s six district authorities.
At a recent full council meeting, two main plans were considered: establishing one single unitary authority covering all of Gloucestershire or dividing the county into two unitary councils—one serving Gloucester, the Forest of Dean, and Stroud, and the other comprising Cheltenham, Cotswold, and Tewkesbury.
Separate proposals put forth by Gloucester City Council advocating for a Greater Gloucester unitary council alongside another for the rest of the county were not discussed during the debate.
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On November 19, the Liberal Democrat-led cabinet endorsed last week’s decision, officially agreeing to advance the single unitary authority option to the government.
Council leader Lisa Spivey (Liberal Democrat, South Cerney) emphasized financial stability and the long-term sustainability of the authority as key reasons for supporting the single council model. She highlighted the importance of maintaining integrated services such as adult and children’s social care, highways, and the fire service under one administration to better serve residents.
However, Spivey also stressed that local decision-making would remain crucial, ensuring the county’s future vitality. This will include preserving local knowledge and control over planning and other services currently managed by district, borough, and city councils.
Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for public health, communities, and fire (Liberal Democrat, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach), reflected on his evolving perspective throughout the reorganisation process. Initially in favor of the East-West split, he now supports a single Gloucestershire unitary council, citing the challenges in dividing countywide services between two councils.
Business and economic development cabinet member Julian Tooke (Liberal Democrat, Pittville & St Paul’s) praised the thorough debate facilitated by diverse views within the Liberal Democrat group, which helped rigorously test all proposals. Acknowledging the council’s clear majority for a single unitary authority, he expressed full support for the decision.
Martin Horwood (Liberal Democrat, Leckhampton and Warden Hill), cabinet member for nature, climate, and waste reduction, shared his preference for the East-West option but respected the council’s vote and abstained during the cabinet decision.
The cabinet backed the single unitary council plan with eight votes in favor and one abstention. The government will now review the proposal and initiate a formal public consultation on the reorganisation.
Opposing views persist among other councils; Cheltenham Borough Council recently voted strongly in favor of two separate unitary councils by east and west divisions. Meanwhile, Tewkesbury Borough Council supports the single unitary authority. The Forest of Dean, Stroud, Gloucester City, and Cotswold district councils are scheduled to vote on their preferred options in the coming weeks.
Pending ministerial approval, elections for the new council or councils are expected in May 2027, with the new authority assuming control from the existing seven councils starting April 2028.