Gloucestershire is set for a major overhaul in local government structure by 2028, as the county transitions to a single unitary council that will consolidate the current two-tier system.
The Government recently approved the creation of one unitary authority to govern the entire county, replacing Gloucestershire County Council along with all six district and borough councils. This change will take effect on April 1, 2028, marking a significant reshaping of Gloucestershire’s political landscape.
At present, Gloucestershire operates under a two-tier system. Gloucestershire County Council manages services such as social care, fire and rescue, public health, education, and road maintenance. Meanwhile, district councils—Gloucester City, Cheltenham Borough, Cotswold, Forest of Dean, Stroud, and Tewkesbury—handle planning, housing, homelessness support, as well as waste and recycling collection.
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Under the new plan, these responsibilities will merge into one streamlined Gloucestershire Council. The number of councillors will be significantly reduced, from 295 across county and district levels to approximately 110. The new authority plans for two councillors to represent each existing county council division.
The consolidation aims to deliver substantial financial savings, with nearly £21 million expected to be saved annually and a total of £164 million over the next decade.
It’s important to note that parish councils, which manage local amenities such as allotments, burial grounds, play areas, village greens, community centres, and public toilets, will remain unaffected by these changes. However, there is a possibility of creating new parish councils for the unparished areas of Gloucester and Cheltenham, which will no longer fall under district council jurisdiction starting in 2028.
Elections for the new unitary council are scheduled for May 6, 2027, providing a transition period ahead of the council’s official launch in April 2028. Once the new authority is established, all existing county, city, and district councils in Gloucestershire will be dissolved.
Local government secretary Steve Reed emphasized that this reform is designed to replace the “inefficient two-tier system with new unitary councils,” improving access to strong public services and preparing regions for further devolution of powers. According to Reed, successful devolution relies on “strong local councils that can deliver good public services, support growth, and remain closely connected to the communities they serve.”