Local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire is likely to lead to the loss of several chief executive positions, but most council workers directly delivering essential services are expected to be protected.
This was the key message at a public meeting held on November 3 at the Gloucester Irish Club, organized by the Gloucestershire Association of Trades Council. Council leaders, MPs, and union representatives gathered to discuss the possible impacts of the upcoming shake-up.
Gloucestershire County Council, together with its six district authorities, has developed two main proposals for the future structure of local government. One option envisions a single unitary authority covering the whole county. Another suggests splitting Gloucestershire into East and West unitary authorities: one comprising Gloucester, the Forest of Dean, and Stroud; the other formed by Cheltenham, Cotswold, and Tewkesbury. Additionally, Gloucester City Council is working on a proposal for a Greater Gloucester unitary authority alongside a separate unitary for the remainder of the county. These options, along with a third yet-to-be-detailed proposal, will be submitted to the Government later this month for consideration.
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At the meeting, Stroud District Council leader Chloe Turner emphasized transparency and confirmed ongoing efforts to keep staff informed throughout the reorganisation process. Turner explained that while the chief executive roles at district councils are expected to be eliminated as new authorities emerge, decisions regarding other staff will be made by the incoming authorities once established.
Former Conservative leader Stephen Davies acknowledged concerns among chief executives and HR staff but suggested that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence may pose a greater threat to jobs than the local government reorganisation itself. Davies noted that essential frontline services will inevitably continue and any job cuts would likely be limited, particularly if financial shortfalls arise.
Neil Armitage, a Unite union representative, expressed typical worries about job security during such restructurings, noting that middle-level staff often face redundancies while senior managers find new roles. He encouraged cautious consideration of this dynamic as Gloucestershire moves towards potential unitary authorities.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Richard Stanley reassured attendees that while the number of chief executives will be reduced, the frontline council workers – those handling tasks such as bin collections, service delivery to children, and planning – are vital and efforts will be made to retain as many of these employees as possible. He stressed that any staffing savings would likely come from leadership positions rather than those delivering day-to-day services.
Council leader Lisa Spivey outlined that the proposals will be formally submitted to the Government on November 28, marking another step in a complex process. She stressed that maintaining staff terms and conditions across the new authority structures is a priority and would likely be upheld by future shadow authorities after the 2027 elections. Spivey concluded by reaffirming the critical role council staff and unions play in ensuring that local services continue uninterrupted.