Tewkesbury Borough Council backs single unitary authority for Gloucestershire

Posted on: 18 November 2025

Tewkesbury Borough Council has voted to assist the creation of a single unitary authority for Gloucestershire, following a gathering of Council held on Tuesday, 18 November.

While the ultimate determination rests with central authorities, this marks the following step within the Gloucestershire’s journey in the direction of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and devolution – a government-led nationwide initiative that goals to simplify native authorities buildings and produce decision-making nearer to communities.

The endorsed proposal would substitute the present two-tier system – comprising Gloucestershire County Council and 6 district councils – with a single, unified authority answerable for delivering all native companies throughout the county, together with waste assortment, planning, hearth and rescue, social care, schooling, and extra.

This determination, alongside these of the opposite six Gloucestershire councils, can be a part of the county’s ultimate submission to central authorities, due by 28 November 2025. The proposal will then be assessed in opposition to key standards comparable to inhabitants measurement, service effectivity, monetary sustainability, and native identification, forward of a public session anticipated in early 2026.

Councillor Richard Stanley, Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, stated: “Local Government Reorganisation has been mandated by central authorities, and it has compelled a reconsideration of how native authorities capabilities in Gloucestershire.

“Unitaries aren’t new – many of the nation operates utilizing a unitary mannequin – and as a part of our transition, we are going to wish to guarantee companies are designed in a method which can be extra environment friendly and faster to reply, however that also really feel native to the individuals who use them.

“For Tewkesbury Borough, it’s important that the option we support offers the best opportunities for our communities and businesses. Of the three proposals, a single unitary authority is the one that provides the scale and coherence needed to harness the county’s strengths, while ensuring local identify and community are protected through strong neighbourhood working.”

A single unitary authority can ship important monetary financial savings – estimated at £164 million over ten years – with a payback interval of simply two years. The new construction would come into impact no sooner than April 2028, following a transitional interval of planning and implementation.

For extra data on Local Government Reorganisation and devolution in Gloucestershire, together with updates on which of the unitary choices every of the councils can be supporting, go to futuregloucestershire.org.uk

Previous publish

Celebrate the season with festive enjoyable in Tewkesbury Borough