Gloucestershire’s future: council set to decide local Government shake-up

Stroud District Council will next week debate three proposals for how local government in Gloucestershire could be organised in the future.

The decision could shape local services and governance for the next 50 years.

The proposals under consideration are:

1. Single Unitary Authority: One council for the whole county, maintaining county-wide services such as fire and rescue, adult social care, and education. Expected to deliver savings of £21 million per year (£164 million over 10 years) and introduce Neighbourhood Partnerships to strengthen local decision-making.
2. Two Unitary Authorities (East & West): Two councils – East (Cheltenham, Cotswold, Tewkesbury) and West (Gloucester, Forest of Dean, Stroud) – providing closer connections to local communities. Estimated savings are £10.8 million per year (£54.8 million over 10 years), but would require splitting county-wide services and creating a separate Fire and Rescue Authority.
3. Greater Gloucester Proposal: Two councils – one covering the Greater Gloucester city area and one for the rest of the county. This option would require boundary changes and additional transition costs. Financial modelling and viability assessment have been limited due to time constraints.

Since 1974, Gloucestershire has been served by the County Council and seven district/borough/city councils. Moving to a unitary model would consolidate responsibilities such as adult social care, education, highways, waste management, planning, and council tax administration into one or more councils.

Proposals must be submitted to the Government by 28 November 2025, with public consultation and stakeholder engagement expected in early 2026. A decision by the Minister on which proposal will be implemented is anticipated in summer 2026, with new council arrangements expected by 2028.

Stroud District Council Leader Chloe Turner said: “This is clearly a very important decision, which could help shape the future of local government in Gloucestershire for the next 50 years. We will be considering the options against Government criteria and also against additional criteria that reflect the needs of our communities.”