Defining moment’ approaches for Gloucestershire’s future amid division
It's been the talk of all of Gloucestershire - the reorganisation of the county's local government. What those plans look like is beginning to emerge ahead of a fast-approaching deadline.
*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.
Gloucestershire is approaching a “defining moment” in its history as options for how local government is set up in the county will be put forward to ministers next month.
It is likely that three options on how a council shake-up could unfold will be submitted to the Government.
Gloucestershire County Council along with the six district authorities have worked together to come up with two proposals for how local government could be organised in the future.
These are for one single unitary authority, splitting the county into East and West with one council made up of Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and Stroud and the other composed of Cheltenham, Cotswold and Tewkesbury.
And a Greater Gloucester unitary council with a separate unitary for the rest of the county being put forward by the City Council.
Councillors across the county will discuss these options and the final proposals must be submitted to the Government by November 28.
A public consultation on the proposals is expected early next year before ministers decide in the summer which option they want to see implemented in Gloucestershire.
Politicians in the county are split on party and geographic lines across the county and it is likely that three options will be put forward for the Government to consider.
Shire Hall leader Lisa Spivey (LD, South Cerney), who is currently undecided on her preferred option, says one of her top priorities has been to get all the council chiefs and senior officers to work together on the single unitary and the East/West split options.
She says it has been a “very intensive” process and the group have “worked together in a very collegiate fashion, respecting that there are some strong views for each option”.
“We have had some robust and challenging conversations, but it has been a really rewarding experience,” she said.
“Everyone has been focussed on making the options as good as they can be so that whatever happens, residents of Gloucestershire and our businesses, will continue to receive the level of services they deserve and expect.
“From talking to colleagues going through local government reorganisation in other counties, I know that this has not been the case in other places, so I am really glad that we have made this work.
“We now have both options written up in full and are commencing the democratic process of taking them through our respective councils, with the county council’s meeting on November 12.”
Cllr Spivey says she can see merit in both of the options being developed by the county council.
“The key in either model is ensuring that the voices of town and parish councils, and our residents, is not lost in big, faceless organisations,” she said.
“We must make sure that the ‘local’ in local government is front and centre.
“I’ll be listening closely to the debate on November 12 and making my final decision after that.”
Reform UK, who lead the opposition at Shire Hall, have confirmed their intention is to vote for a single unitary authority.
They say they are fundamentally opposed to the entire process of local government reorganisation but will cast a tactical vote in favour of the single council to prevent the fragmentation of the county into a significantly more damaging and expensive two-unitary system.
The Green Party group at Shire Hall say it is too early to be sharing their final position.
However, their nine county councillors are not whipped and will be free to vote according to their own views on the day.
The Conservatives, who have consistently advocated for one single unitary council, say ‘One Gloucestershire’ is the only option if the focus is for cost efficient services.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s Liberal Democrat leader Richard Stanley (LD, Cleeve West), who is also a County Councillor, is another strong supporter of the single unitary option.
His authority will be formally reviewing the proposals at the Borough Council meeting in November 18 and could be submitting one of the options to the Government.
City Council’s Liberal Democrat leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) says all three options deserve serious consideration.
But he believes the Greater Gloucester model will be best to reflect the historic city’s identity and ambitions.
Cheltenham Borough Council leader Rowena Hay (LD, Oakley), who is among the main supporters of two unitary authorities for the county, believes this option will mean local democracy is closer to the people.
Initially, the two new unitary authorities would be based on the districts of Cheltenham, Cotswold and Tewkesbury in the eastand Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and Stroud in the West.
But it will be important that the government undertakes a a boundary review at some point if they go ahead with those plans.
County Council chairman Steve Robinson (L, Nailsworth), Labour’s only councillor at Shire Hall, also believes the smaller the unitary the more local it will feel for most.
The options
A single unitary council:
One council for the whole of Gloucestershire County Council area.
Would maintain the current county-wide approach to delivering fire and rescue services, adult social care, children’s social care and education services.
Aims to make decisions quicker, cut out repeated work, and provide better, more consistent services.
Expected to save more than £21 million per year, with £164 million in net savings over the next 10 years.
Local communities would have more say through new Neighbourhood Partnerships and links with town and parish councils.
Would invest in digital technology to make services easier to use.
Meets Government requirements and puts Gloucestershire in a strong position for future changes.
Two unitary councils:
Two councils: one for the East made up of the current Cotswold district and boroughs of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury and one for the West covering Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and Stroud.
Keeps a strong local identity for different parts of the county.
Expected to save nearly £11 million a year, with more than £55 million saved in ten years.
Local people would have more say through Neighbourhood Partnerships and links with town and parish councils.
Both councils would invest in digital technology for better services.
Meets Government requirements and supports Gloucestershire’s ambitions.
Greater Gloucester:
Two councils: One made up of an expanded city area called Greater Gloucester and another unitary which would cover the rest of the county
Gives historic city of Gloucester and surrounding parishes a council of their own
Reflects the city’s distinct identity, ambition and current momentum.
Based on the Government’s current timetable, elections to the new council or councils would be in May 2027 with the new authority taking over from the current seven councils from April 2028.
The full proposals, along with a timetable of the council meetings where they will be debated can be found on Future Gloucestershire : Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire.
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com