Based on a press release from Gloucestershire County Council:
Gloucestershire councils are encouraging residents and communities to take part in a new government consultation on how local government in the county could be organised in future.
This is an important chance for people to have their say as the government considers a once-in-a-generation shake-up to how local services are run.
Reorganisation will replace Gloucestershire’s existing county council and six borough and district councils with one or two new councils. Three proposals were put forward by Gloucestershire’s councils in November, and the government will decide on its preferred option this summer.
The options are:
A single council responsible for all services across Gloucestershire.
2. Two unitary authorities (east/west split)
each responsible for all services in that area:
- East Gloucestershire: Cheltenham Borough, Tewkesbury Borough, Cotswold District
- West Gloucestershire: Forest of Dean, Gloucester City and Stroud District
3. Two unitary councils (Greater Gloucester and Gloucestershire Unitary)
each responsible for all services in that area:
- Greater Gloucester, covering the existing city council area and some neighbouring parishes,
- Rest of the county, including Cheltenham, the Cotswolds, and the remainder of Tewkesbury, the Forest of Dean, and Stroud
What is the consultation asking?
The government is asking to what extent the proposals:
- are based on sensible geographies and economic areas
- will deliver the outcomes described in the proposals
- are the right size to be efficient, improve capacity, and withstand financial shocks
- will deliver high quality, sustainable public services
- have been informed by local views and will meet local needs
- will support devolution arrangements
- will enable stronger community engagement and give the opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment.
What happens next?
Responses will help the government assess which option best meets its criteria.
A decision is expected in summer 2026, with elections planned for May 2027.
Any new unitary councils would be established no earlier than April 2028.
How to take part
The consultation is for seven weeks, closing on 26 March 2026.
Take part on the government’s website: Local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire – GOV.UK
For background information about the proposals for local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire, please visit the Future Gloucestershire website.