A newly created £120,000-a-year role to oversee the ambitious reorganisation of local government in Gloucestershire has ignited controversy, with critics labeling it a “reckless waste of public money.”
The UK Government plans to merge county and district councils into unitary authorities across England, aiming to create stronger governance structures and generate savings that can be reinvested into essential public services.
In Gloucestershire, all seven principal councils are collaborating on plans for this transformation. To manage what they describe as a “monumental” task, they propose appointing a Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) Portfolio Director. This senior role, employed by Gloucestershire County Council but serving all local councils, would be fixed-term with a salary between £109,000 and £120,000, lasting until June 2028. The position requires travel across the county and calls for an “exceptional and influential leader” to oversee the transition, shape governance frameworks, and collaborate closely with councillors, chief executives, and national stakeholders.
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However, opposition voices have strongly opposed the appointment. Reform UK Councillor Vernon Smith of Tewkesbury West criticized the timing and expense, arguing that the government’s final decision won’t be made until next summer, making the early creation of this high-cost post premature. “Why create a costly new post before the future is clear?” he questioned, emphasizing that the current team can manage ongoing work until there is certainty.
Similarly, a spokesperson for the Green Party condemned the move as an unnecessary waste, describing the process as “undemocratic” and imposed by central government without local consent.
On the other hand, Gloucestershire County Council’s Liberal Democrat leader Lisa Spivey supported the appointment, highlighting the complexity of the task ahead. “There are nine workstreams spanning over 100 service areas,” she explained. Spivey said such an extensive workload demands dedicated leadership rather than spreading duties thinly among existing staff. She referenced Essex’s experience, where 140 people have been employed solely to manage their local government reorganisation.
While the total cost of the reorganisation remains uncertain, initial consultant estimates suggest that establishing a single unitary authority in Gloucestershire could cost taxpayers around £18.7 million. However, proponents point to projected cumulative savings exceeding £200 million over a decade as justification for the upfront investment.
As discussions continue, the debate underscores a broader tension between the desire for streamlined local governance and concerns over financial prudence and democratic accountability.