Gloucestershire is not in the first round of local government reorganisation after the government decided that the elections to the county council will proceed on the 1st of May. This is good news in that it will give everyone more time to consider the future structure of local government in Gloucestershire.

The government is keen to have a unitary council structure as a replacement of the two-tier system we have had since the Local Government Act 1972. This created the current county council with six district councils, including Gloucester City Council.
Three basic options are under consideration. They are: a single unitary council across the county, two unitary councils of equal size, and another two unitary models based on the proposal for a Greater Gloucester Council.

Interim proposals were submitted to the government on 21st March and final proposals need to be in by 28th November.

This option has considerable merit

The third option of a Greater Gloucester Council has considerable merit as it would mean the city and neighbouring parishes would be in the same council. Greater Gloucester Council would have a starting population of 178,000, growing to 200,000 over the next few years. It encompasses parishes to the north and south, where much of Gloucester’s future housing need is already being planned.

Both education and NHS services already operate their service planning in an area much bigger than the current city council boundaries.

It has always been clear that communities from Hardwicke, Churchdown, Brockworth, Longford and Upton St Leonards are already linked to the city. The inclusion of all these communities under one unitary authority can only enhance community links, regeneration, economic advantages, transportation and environmental protection.

The Greater Gloucester Council would have a similar population to Bath and North East Somerset Council, which is currently 196,000, and Herefordshire at 189,000. If these areas can have their own unitary council, then so should Gloucester.