Gloucestershire is set for a major local government overhaul as the government confirms the creation of a single unitary authority, replacing the county council alongside all six district and borough councils. This decision effectively ends the possibility of a separate Greater Gloucester council that the city had fervently supported.
Three proposals to restructure Gloucestershire’s council boundaries were submitted, with Gloucester City Council advocating for a distinct Greater Gloucester unitary authority that would separate the city from the rest of the county. However, this option has been dismissed in favor of one unified council covering the entire county.
The new single authority will serve approximately 670,000 residents, becoming the third largest unitary council in England. Elections for the new entity are anticipated in May next year, with the transition scheduled for completion by April 2028. At that time, all existing county, city, and district councils will be dissolved.
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Jeremy Hilton, Gloucester’s City Council leader and a Liberal Democrat, expressed deep disappointment with the government’s decision. He warned that a council this large would be “too big, too distant, and too remote” from the communities it serves. Hilton emphasized the profound loss the city faces, stating, “For Gloucester, the consequences are profound. Our city will lose a historic institution that has shaped our identity, civic life, and democratic representation since the Middle Ages.”
He further lamented the uncertain future of Gloucester’s civic traditions, such as the roles of the Mayor and Sheriff, which have long symbolized the city’s heritage and public voice. Hilton stressed the importance of local identity, accountability, and influence—elements he fears will be diluted under a massive county-wide authority.
Despite opposition from Gloucester City Council and Forest of Dean District Council, the ‘One Gloucestershire’ single-unitary plan was strongly backed by Gloucestershire County Council along with Cotswold, Tewkesbury, and Stroud District councils. Alternative proposals included splitting the county into East and West councils or establishing a Greater Gloucester council paired with a separate county authority, but these received less support.
The government’s drive to merge district and county councils aims to simplify governance and deliver stronger, unified services. The new single authority will feature 110 councillors and is projected to save around £21 million annually, amounting to £164 million over ten years. In contrast, the two-unitary-council approach would have realized significantly lower savings.
Local MPs remain divided on the restructuring, with Labour representatives backing an East-West split and some Liberal Democrats and Conservatives supporting the single authority plan.
As Gloucestershire prepares for this unprecedented change, Gloucester City Council vows to continue advocating fiercely for the city’s interests within the new, larger governance structure, ensuring the community’s voice remains strong despite historic shifts.