Council could change its name to represent community

Council leader Richard Stanley said "it will be for the people to decide"

A borough council has agreed to ask the public what they think about rebranding its name.

Tewkesbury Borough councillors hope to change the name of the authority to North Gloucestershire, to better represents the area it serves.

At a meeting on Wednesday, councillor Cate Cody joked it should be renamed "Cheese Rolling Borough Council", however, the preferred option is to take on the name of North Gloucestershire Borough Council.

The name change could cost the taxpayer up to £10,000.

Tewkesbury Borough Council covers the town of Tewkesbury, along with areas such as Winchcombe, Bishops Cleeve, Highnam, Minsterworth, Brockworth, Churchdown, part of Hucclecote, and Shurdington.

But Brockworth councillors said being south of Gloucester and Cheltenham they did not feel represented by the name of North Gloucestershire Borough Council, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The logo would also be revamped

Ms Cody, councillor for Tewkesbury South, suggested: "If you want a great name, what about Cheese Rolling Borough Council?"

The Brockworth East ward is the site of the world-famous event, which will take place on Cooper's Hill later this month.

"In all seriousness I don’t think North Gloucestershire is the best name but I think it’s the best name we’ve come up with," Ms Cody added.

"It puts us on the map geographically, which is really important."

One councillor compared the fourth logo to 1980s video game Pac-Man

Councillors also hope to update the council's current logo to make it more digitally friendly.

But Richard Coleman, who represents Isbourne, said one logo option "screams Pac-Man".

Jim Mason, councillor for Winchcombe, proposed consulting with the public on more than one option.

He suggested Severn Vale Borough Council would be better, as you can see the river crossing the borough from Cleeve.

After a debate which lasted around an hour, he withdraw the amendment.

Council leader Richard Stanley said the council had a good and strong option in renaming the council North Gloucestershire Borough.

“I vote that we put that to residents,” he said.

There will be a six-week public consultation on the name change before council convenes a special meeting to decide whether to go ahead with the rebrand.

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