The preferred names and potential councillor numbers for Gloucestershire’s future councils have been revealed by Shire Hall officials as part of an ongoing local government reorganisation.
Currently, Gloucestershire’s local government comprises Gloucestershire County Council alongside six district councils: Gloucester, Cheltenham, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Stroud, and Tewkesbury. Under government plans to streamline administration, these district authorities are set to merge with the county council, forming one or more unitary authorities responsible for all local services.
Shire Hall’s cabinet convened recently to discuss their preferences ahead of submitting responses to the Government’s structural change order for Gloucestershire. Three main options are under consideration:
READ MORE: Clarkson’s Farm Sparks New Interest in Agriculture
READ MORE: Date Set for New Market, Food Hall, and Cultural Venue to Open at Eastgate Shopping Centre
-
Single Unitary Authority:
This option would consolidate the entire county into one council. The preferred name is Gloucestershire Council, consisting of 110 councillors representing 55 wards.
-
Two Unitary Authorities (East and West):
The county would be divided into eastern and western councils, with the cabinet favoring the names East Gloucestershire Council (52 councillors) and West Gloucestershire Council (58 councillors).
Alternative suggestions by Cheltenham Borough Council include Cheltenham and Cotswolds Council and Gloucester, Forest and the Stroud Valleys Council.
-
Greater Gloucester Model:
Backed by Gloucester City Council, this option proposes an expanded unitary authority for Gloucester and its surrounding areas, alongside a separate council for the rest of Gloucestershire. The preferred names are Greater Gloucester Council (52 councillors) and Gloucestershire Council (81 councillors).
Council leader Lisa Spivey elaborated on the discussions around naming:
“There was broad agreement that a single unitary authority would be called Gloucestershire Council. For the East/West split, East Gloucestershire Council and West Gloucestershire Council were preferred. For the Greater Gloucester option, Greater Gloucester Council and Gloucestershire Council seemed sensible.” She acknowledged other naming proposals remain under consideration, especially concerning the East/West model. Spivey also highlighted that the new shadow authorities could choose to rename themselves after formation.
The Government is expected to announce its decision on the structural reorganisation of Gloucestershire councils in July. Subsequent elections to the new council or councils are scheduled for May 2027, with the new governance structure officially taking effect from April 2028, at which point existing county, city, and district councils will be dissolved.