Gloucestershire 'super council' timeline revealed

Gloucestershire's new authority or authorities could be launched in April 2027

A timeline for a "once in a generation" transformation of local government has been shared by council leaders.

The council structure in Gloucestershire is to be transformed when its seven county and district councils are replaced with either one or two new "super authorities".

Three options are being considered, including merging all seven councils into one "super unitary", splitting the county down the middle into two or creating an expanded "Greater Gloucester" authority and a second for the rest of the county.

All three proposals have to be finalised next month and presented to the council in November, with the new authority or authorities due to be launched in April 2027.

Gloucestershire's current district and county local government system has been in place since 1974.

It includes the county council in the top tier and six district councils – Stroud, Gloucester, Cotswolds, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean in a second tier.

In 2024, the UK government announced a major redesign of local authorities to turn two-tier council areas into unitary authorities.

Former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine believes having a single authority would garner more "loyalty" from the people of Gloucestershire.

"One Gloucestershire County Council, one directly elected mayor, and a much greater partnership between local and central government over the spending of the capital money," he said.

"I've travelled the world. I know how democracies work virtually everywhere in the free society, and they all have mayors, local structures. It's a much better way."

Gloucestershire is now looking to get rid of its county and district councils and replace them with either one or two "super" councils.

Currently, there are three options on the table including: Single County-Wide Unitary Authority, East-West Split Model and Greater Gloucester Model.

In a timeline shared by council leaders, officers have until next month to submit a full final proposal for each option.

These will then be presented to the council in November before undergoing a government review and public consultation next spring.

If approved the new unitary authority or authorities are expected to be launched in a "shadow" capacity in April 2027.

Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "Gloucester City Council and its partners across the county remain committed to ensuring that any reorganisation delivers improved services, stronger local leadership and better outcomes for residents across Gloucestershire.

"We continue to keep an open mind about the merits or otherwise of all three proposals while endeavouring to determine, champion and achieve the best possible outcome for everyone across the county from this once in a generation change."