Gloucester City Council has expressed deep disappointment following the government’s decision to restructure local governance in Gloucestershire by replacing the county council and all six district and borough councils with a single unitary authority.
Three proposals for the county’s council boundaries were submitted for ministerial review. Gloucester City Council advocated for a “Greater Gloucester” council to operate separately from a unitary authority encompassing the rest of the county. However, this plan was rejected in favor of a single unitary authority covering the entire county.
The government’s announcement confirms that Gloucestershire will consolidate all local councils into one authority, effective April 2028. Elections for the new council are expected to take place in May 2027. At that point, existing county, city, and district councils will be dissolved. Alternatives such as splitting the county into East and West or establishing a Greater Gloucester council have been ruled out.
READ MORE: Gloucestershire Secure Fast Bowler Henry Brookes on Three-Year Deal
READ MORE: I Paid £7.75 to Visit the Famous Lavender Farm in the Cotswolds – Here’s My Honest Verdict
While Gloucestershire County Council and others welcomed the decision, Gloucester City Council leader Jeremy Hilton voiced his concerns: “I am disappointed by the Labour government’s choice to create a massive single unitary council for Gloucestershire. Serving 670,000 residents, it will be the third largest unitary authority in England. Such scale risks becoming too big, too distant, and disconnected from the communities it is meant to serve.”
Hilton, a Liberal Democrat, stressed the profound impact on Gloucester: “For the first time in centuries, our city will lose its own council, a cherished institution that has shaped Gloucester’s identity, civic life, and democratic voice since the Middle Ages. This is truly sad news. Our community risks losing influence over decisions that matter most, as Gloucester becomes just a segment within a huge county-wide authority.”
He also expressed concern about the future of Gloucester’s historic civic roles, saying, “I fear for our civic leadership, especially the centuries-old offices of Mayor and Sheriff. These traditions give Gloucester a proud and visible voice but now face uncertainty within a large, impersonal unitary structure that may not preserve these heritage roles.”
Hilton emphasized the importance of local identity and accountability: “Local identity matters. Local voice matters. Local accountability matters. A single unitary council threatens to weaken all three.”
Despite the setback, Liberal Democrats in Gloucester pledge to continue their advocacy for the city: “Our city deserves the best,” Hilton said.
The government’s local government reform aims to simplify administration by merging district authorities with county councils. Gloucestershire County Council collaborated with the six district, borough, and city authorities over the past year to develop three proposals:
-
A single unitary authority covering the entire county, incorporating all current districts and boroughs with 110 councillors. This “One Gloucestershire” model was supported by the County Council, Cotswold District Council, Tewkesbury Borough, and Stroud District Council.
-
An East-West split creating two unitary authorities: East (Cheltenham, Cotswold, Tewkesbury) with 52 councillors, and West (Gloucester, Stroud, Forest of Dean) with 58 councillors. Cheltenham Borough Council supported this option, while Gloucester City Council backed the Greater Gloucester proposal.
-
The “Greater Gloucester” plan, led by Gloucester City Council, featuring 52 councillors for the Greater Gloucester area and 81 for the remainder of Gloucestershire.
Forest of Dean District Council opposed all options, citing fears that these changes may undermine local democracy.
Financially, the single unitary model is projected to save nearly £21 million annually, totaling £164 million over ten years. In contrast, two unitary councils would save nearly £11 million annually, totaling over £55 million in a decade.
Local MPs remain divided on preferred options. Labour MPs Alex McIntyre (Gloucester), Simon Opher (Stroud), and Matt Bishop (Forest of Dean), along with Liberal Democrat Max Wilkinson (Cheltenham), supported the East-West split, while Liberal Democrats Roz Savage (South Cotswolds), Cameron Thomas (Tewkesbury), and Conservative Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (North Cotswolds) favored the single unitary authority.