New council ideas to be submitted to government

Council leaders are discussing three options on how to reorganise local government

Gloucestershire council leaders are expected to submit three ideas to ministers on how it will reorganise local government.

All seven councils in Gloucestershire have developed two potential models for how they could be structured in the future, with plans for a third option being finalised.

Councillors have come up with two proposals: to merge all seven existing councils in to one "super unitary", or to split the county down the middle and create two unitary authorities.

The third option, which is still being discussed, is to create a greater Gloucester unitary council with a separate unitary for the rest of the county. Councillors will discuss options on 12 November.

Proposals will be submitted to the government by 28 November.

Gloucestershire County Council leader Lisa Spivey, who is currently undecided on her preferred option, said: "The key in either model is ensuring that the voices of town and parish councils, and our residents, is not lost in big, faceless organisations."

The three options being discussed in the county are:

Single unitary

• One council for the whole county of the Gloucestershire County Council area

• Would maintain the current countywide approach to deliver fire and rescue services, adult social care, children's social care and education services

Two unitary councils

• One for the east and one for the west of the county

Greater Gloucester

• Two councils, one made up of an expanded city area called Greater Gloucester and another unitary which would cover the rest of the county

• It would mean the city of Gloucester and surrounding parishes would have a council of their own

Opposition party Reform UK have confirmed their intention is to vote for a single unitary authority.

"Our hands are tied by political division," said councillor Vernon Smith.

"This division has created a dangerous vacuum where the default outcome could be the imposition of a costly, second-rate two-unitary system, effectively tearing our county in half."

The Conservatives, who have consistently advocated for one single unitary council, said "one Gloucestershire" is the only option if the focus is for cost efficient services.

"It makes financial sense where splitting Gloucestershire would include splitting key services like Adults and Children's care," said councillor Stephen Davies.

'City's distinct identity'

Gloucester City Council's Liberal Democrat leader Jeremy Hilton said he believed the Greater Gloucester model would be best and reflected the city's identity and ambitions.

"All three options deserve serious consideration, but the Greater Gloucester model is the only one that gives our historic city and surrounding parishes a council of their own.

"One that reflects the city's distinct identity, ambition and current momentum."

The government is then expected to consult Gloucestershire residents and other stakeholders early in 2026 before they decide in the summer whether they will form a single unitary council or two councils.