Gloucestershire residents encouraged to share their views on reorganisation of councils

Published

05.02.2026

Gloucestershire councils are encouraging residents and communities to take part in a new government consultation on how local government in the county could be  organised  in the future. 

This is an important chance for people to have their say as the government considers  a once-in-a-generation shake-up  to how  local services  are run.

Reorganisation  will involve  replacing Gloucestershire’s existing county council and six  borough  and district councils with one or  two new councils.

Three  proposals  were  put forward by Gloucestershire’s councils  in November, and the government will  decide  on its preferred  option  this summer.

The  options  are:  

One countywide unitary council

A single council responsible for all services across Gloucestershire.  

Two unitary councils (east/west split), each responsible for all services in that area:

• West: Gloucester  City, Forest of Dean  District, Stroud  District   
• East: Cheltenham  Borough, Tewkesbury  Borough, Cotswold  District  

Two unitary councils (Greater Gloucester and Gloucestershire Unitary), each responsible for all services in that area:

• Greater Gloucester:  an area  slightly  expanded  beyond Gloucester  city   
• Gloucestershire Unitary: the rest of the county  

 What is the consultation  asking?  

The government is asking  to what extent  the proposals:  

• are based on sensible geographies and economic areas   
• will deliver the outcomes described in the proposals   
• are the right size to be efficient, improve capacity, and withstand financial shocks   
• will  deliver high quality, sustainable public services   
• have  been informed by local views and will meet local needs   
• will  support devolution arrangements   
• will enable  stronger community engagement and  give  the opportunity for  neighbourhood  empowerment  

What happens next?  

Responses will help the government assess which  option  best meets its criteria.  

A decision is expected in summer 2026, with elections planned for May 2027. Any new structure would be  established  no earlier than April 2028.  

How to take part  

The consultation  opened on  Thursday 5 February, and will be  open  for seven weeks.  Take part on the government’s website: Local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire – GOV.UK

For more information about the proposals and  additional  background information on local government  reorganisation  in Gloucestershire, please visit the  Future Gloucestershire  website.

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