Talks underway to decide if county should split in two

Political leaders are split on whether they want the county to split in half

Talks are underway to decide whether a county should be split in two.

Seven Gloucestershire councils have until the end of March to submit an initial idea on whether they plan to merge.

The UK government announced a major redesign of local authorities in December, turning two-tier council areas into unitary authorities.

But, Gloucestershire's county and six district councils are divided on how to move forward, with some hoping for a county-wide super council, and others backing a split.

Gloucestershire County Council, based at Shire Hall, would like the county to remain as one

Five of Gloucestershire's seven MPs would like to see the county split into two authorities.

This could see key services managed in "different ways" across the county, according to Richard Stanley, Tewkesbury Borough Council's leader.

"This council does not want to see the break-up of Gloucestershire," he added, a sentiment shared by Gloucestershire County Council.

The proposal to split the county would see the emergence of West Gloucestershire, made up of district councils in the Forest of Dean, Gloucester and Stroud.

In the east of the county, councils in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the Cotswolds would merge.

The MPs backing this plan said one, bigger authority would "not best serve the people of Gloucestershire", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Talks are happening across Gloucestershire within the councils between councillors and MPs to try and reach a consensus to put forward.

The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government said while initial ideas must be submitted by the end of March, formal applications are due by the end of November.