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Government announces decision on local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire - a single, new unitary council to be created

Published
Statement issued on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council

The Government has today announced its decision on the future structure of local government in Gloucestershire. 

The decision is to create a single unitary council, which will replace existing county, city, district and borough councils on 1 April 2028. 

The Government has said that the single unitary option best met the criteria. This was particularly the case in three respects: it provides a sensible geography for economic growth and housing, it is easier to deliver joined up public services, and a good platform for community empowerment.  

More detail on the rationale will be available later today in a letter from the Secretary of State, who made the announcement in the House of Commons on Thursday.

At this stage, there will be no changes to council services which will be delivered as normal. Residents should continue to access these services in the way they normally would. 

In recent months, our councils have been working very well together, preparing to deliver on the government’s decision. That work will continue while we get into the detail of the decision and exactly how it will be implemented, with full focus on ensuring the best outcomes for our local communities. 

While our councils adopted their own position regarding the best future structure of local government in Gloucestershire, we are united in our commitment to the people and communities we serve. Our shared priority has always been to ensure that residents and businesses continue to receive the services they rely on, and that those services are delivered to the very highest standard. 

We recognise that while this decision brings a degree of clarity about the future of local government in Gloucestershire, it will also raise further questions that we are not yet able to answer. 

We are still at an early stage in this process. The new council needs to be created legally. Then there will be elections to a shadow authority on 6 May 2027 which will make the key decisions related to the creation of the new council. The new council will be effective from 1 April 2028.  

Throughout this process, our seven councils remain committed to keeping residents, staff and partners fully informed and will share more information as it becomes available.

For more information, visit the Future Gloucestershire website.