Gloucestershire County Council

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.

Respond Online

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:

1. Single unitary authority

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.

Respond Online

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.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is back this winter to help keep children in Gloucestershire happy, healthy, and entertained with free activities and nutritious food.

Families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can register now for the winter HAF. Thanks to grant funding, the county council is extending these fun, enriching holiday activities to all children and young people through the Holiday Activities Programme (HAP).

Most activities will be taking place between Saturday 20 December and Sunday 4 January.

Booking is now open via the new Family Hubs system: https://familyhubs.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.

Families are encouraged to visit the website to create an account, add a profile for each child taking part in activities, and make sure emergency contact details are up to date. 

This winter, in addition to ticketed attractions, 41 providers will be providing activity sessions for children and young people across the county, helping to create memorable experiences for thousands of families who greatly value the opportunities it offers. 

This winter there are lots of great options to choose from including drama and science workshops, sports and games, art and crafts, music and dance, indoor and outdoor activities. In addition, popular ticketed attractions include ice skating and pantomimes. More information about the programme is available at: https://familyhubs.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.

Families needing extra support to choose, book, or attend HAF activities can get help from six HAF Community Connectors, one for each district. This winter, there’s also a Specialist SEND Community Connector to improve support for children and young people with additional needs: https://familyhubs.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf-send.

Letter from Gloucestershire Highways:

Ref: 43107051

Monday, December 01, 2025

Ash Dieback

Dear Sir/Madam

• What: Temporary Traffic Order to close the road for essential Ash Dieback tree work.
• Where: B4425 – Cirencester to Arlington (see letter and map for the exact location)
• When: 12-23 January 2026 inclusive (excluding weekends) from 09.30 to 15.30 daily.

On behalf of Gloucestershire County Council, we advise you that we are due to be conducting essential work at the above location to remove unsafe trees infected with Ash Dieback.

***During this period, 12-23rd January 2026 inclusive, excluding weekends, there will be NO through access from Cirencester to Arlington / Bibury using B4425. Essential Ash Dieback work is to be completed between 1. Cirencester & Sheephouse Lane and 2. Sheephouse Lane and C154 Akeman Street. A rolling closure will be in place with only one cutting area being closed at any one time.

Letter (B) – B4425 – Cirencester to Arlington

Update 01 December 2025:

Please note that this footpath closure has been extended for a further 21 days:

Draft Emergency First Notice PROW further 21 days – 86944

Original announcement of 10 November 2025:

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF PUBLIC FOOTPATHS KNE 2 -KNE 4- KNE 5
(NORTHLEACH WITH EASTINGTON PARISH)
COTSWOLD DISTRICT

Gloucestershire County Council has by this emergency notice closed temporarily under Sections 14, 15 and 16 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (as amended) part of public footpaths KNE 2 – KNE 4 and KNE 5 as defined in the schedules below;

Schedule

Part of Public Footpath KNE 2 from its junction with KNE 3 at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference (OSGR) SO 11600/15329 extending in a generally South Westerly direction for approximately 410 metres to its junction with KNE 4 at OSGR SO 11371/14991 as indicated on the plan by a solid black line marked A to B.

Public Footpath KNE 4 from its junction with KNE 2 at OSGR SO 11371/14991 extending in a generally North Westerly direction for approximately 350 metres to its junction A429 at OSGR SO 11251/15305 as indicated on the plan by a solid black line marked B to D to E.

Part of Public Footpath KNE 5 from its junction with Graveney Road at OSGR SO 11274/14982 extending in a generally northerly direction for approximately 105 meters to its junction with KNE 4 at OSGR SO 11295/15086 as indicated on the plan by a solid black line marked C to D.
The Public Footpaths fall in Northleach with Eastington Parish in the Cotswold District and in the County of Gloucestershire;

The closure is necessary to protect the public whilst urgent tree works take place.

This Notice came into force on the 10th November 2025 and will continue for up to 21 days.

However, if the works to remedy the problem have not been completed during this time scale it will be necessary to either extend the closure by Notice for a further 21 days or make an Order.

This legal Order, if made, will authorise the closure of the public footpath for up to six months from the date of this Notice. However, if the problem continues after this time then it will be necessary to make an application to the Secretary of State for an extension to the closure.

Alternative Routes – There are no alternative routes.

Emergency and Pedestrian access to adjoining premises is to be maintained.

DATE: 10th November 2025
For Assistant Director Legal Services
Public Rights of Way GT/86944
08000 514514 Legal Services
Shire Hall
Westgate Street
Gloucester
GL1 2TG

Signed Emergency Notice

Post updated on 20 October 2025.

Letter from Gloucestershire Highways:

Our Ref: 11494136 – 915990

Date: 15th September 2025

Dear Sir/Madam

What: Temporary Traffic Order to close the road for carriageway resurfacing

Where: 4/7236 Bettenson Rise Northleach. See overleaf for details of the road closure area.

When: For approximately 1 Day (excl. weekends) between the hours of 09:30 to 15:30. The PROPOSED start and end dates are currently Friday 7th November 2025 for one day; however, keep an eye on the web page detailed below or the signs on site for any short notice changes.

– Website – https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/resurfacing/

915990 – Bettenson Rise Northleach Business Letter

915990 – Bettenson Rise Northleach Residents Letter

intend to – 86407