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Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

Have your say on the future of local government in Gloucestershire 

The government has launched a consultation on how local councils in Gloucestershire could be organised in future. This follows three proposals submitted by the county’s councils in November 2025. 

The options include: 

  • One countywide unitary council 
  • Two unitary councils (east/west split) 
  • Two unitary councils (Greater Gloucester and Gloucestershire Unitary) 

The consultation asks for views on whether the proposals meet government criteria, including delivering high‑quality public services, improving efficiency and supporting strong local engagement. 

Responses will help the government decide on its preferred option in summer 2026. Any new council structure would not be in place before April 2028. 

The consultation is open for seven weeks from Thursday 5 February. 
Take part here: Local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire - GOV.UK
Find out more about the proposals on the Future Gloucestershire website: Future Gloucestershire : Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire. 

 

Background

On 16 December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper setting out a national programme of devolution and reform to local government. An interim plan was submitted in March 2025. The government provided feedback to help develop a final proposal. Gloucestershire councils worked together, and with local partners, to develop Local Government Reorganisation proposals which were submitted by 28 November 2025 and can be read here (please click on 'proposals' on the menu bar). Stroud District Council's response can be read here.

The final decision will be made by the government. 

We understand the process will raise questions for you and we are committed to keeping our residents informed at each step of the process. If you are not already, please subscribe to our mailing list here. 

Local Government Reorganisation is the process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. This means the current two-tier system of district and county councils will be replaced with new, larger unitary authorities. The government has said these authorities must serve populations of 500,000 or more.

In Gloucestershire, that means the County Council and the six districts – Stroud District Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council and Gloucester City Council – will be replaced by at least one new unitary council.

The government says benefits include:

  • A more co-ordinated approach to service delivery.
  • Providing better value-for-money.
  • Offering stronger strategic and local leadership.

A unitary authority provides all the services of county council and district/borough councils, including: 

  • education
  • transport
  • planning
  • fire and public safety
  • social care
  • libraries
  • waste management
  • trading standards
  • rubbish collection
  • recycling
  • Council Tax collections
  • planning applications

Unitary authorities must then join Combined Strategic Authorities. These are mostly led by elected mayors and are responsible for issues which cross boundaries including:

  • Housing
  • Highways and transport
  • Economic growth
  • Skills and employment support
  • Environment and climate change
  • Health
  • Public safety

There are currently three proposals being developed, supported by different councils. These are:

  • One unitary for the whole county.
  • Two unitaries: East Gloucestershire (Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Cotswold) and West Gloucestershire (Gloucester, Forest of Dean and Stroud).
  • Two unitaries: one centred on Gloucester city and surrounding areas, and the other covering the remainder of the county.

There are a few possibilities for a Combine Strategic Authority for Gloucestershire, including joining neighbouring areas such as West of England (Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire) or Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The authority would be led by a directly elected mayor.

If there is still no local agreement before the November deadline, Government ministers will make the decision.