Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire.

The government has announced that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is being paused while it carries out a review. This includes the proposals affecting Gloucestershire.

At this stage, we do not have any further detail about what the review will mean for Gloucestershire or how long it will take. Gloucestershire’s councils are seeking further information from the Government and will provide an update as soon as more is known.

The government has said that the review follows updated legal advice provided to ministers. It says the review will ensure the reorganisation process is robust, complies with legal requirements and aligns with the new administration’s priorities for devolution and local government reform.

Yes. The government has confirmed that local elections scheduled for May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries while its review of Local Government Reorganisation is carried out.

This is a decision taken by Government following consideration of proposals submitted locally. Those proposals were informed by evidence around service delivery, financial sustainability and local identity. Announcing its decision, the Government has said that the single unitary option best met the criteria. This was particularly the case in three respects: it provides a sensible geography for economic growth and housing, it is easier to deliver joined up public services, and a good platform for community empowerment.

There will be no immediate changes to council services, which will continue to be delivered as usual. All proposals submitted were supported by technical evidence on governance, service integration, financial resilience and economic growth. At this stage, detailed delivery planning is still underway, and further information will be published as it becomes available.

Local engagement and stakeholder feedback formed part of the evidence submitted to Government. It has committed to publish responses to a consultation held in February. We will share that document here when it is available.

Councils have worked collaboratively throughout the process, although there have been differing views on the preferred model. The priority now across all councils is to work together constructively in the interests of residents.

We will continue to facilitate appropriate interview opportunities with leaders and senior officers at key stages, particularly as more detail becomes available.

There will be no immediate changes to how residents receive services. Over the longer term, the aim is to simplify arrangements and improve coordination, but this will take time to design and implement.

There should be no immediate impact. A key objective of reorganisation is to maintain and, where possible, improve service quality and accessibility.

Funding arrangements are set nationally and will be considered as part of the implementation process. Ensuring fair and sustainable funding for all areas will be a key priority.

There will be upfront costs associated with reorganisation, as is the case with any structural change. These are typically funded through a combination of transitional support and local resources, with the expectation of longer-term efficiencies.

Estimated savings were included in the business cases submitted. However, precise figures will be refined during detailed implementation planning.

There will be no immediate changes to council tax. Future council tax decisions will be made by the new shadow council and will apply from 1st April 2028.

It is too early to confirm specific staffing implications. It is too early to confirm specific staffing implications but our aim is for the vast majority of staff to be TUPE’d into the new organisation, with any initial redundancies likely to be limited to the most senior positions.

These considerations will form part of the detailed design phase. No immediate changes are planned, and services will continue to operate as usual.

Maintaining strong local representation is a key priority. Arrangements such as local neighbourhood partnerships are likely to play an important role – neighbourhood partnerships will help make sure local communities are heard and involved in shaping services. This means services can better reflect the needs and priorities of the people who use them.

This will be determined as part of governance design, including ward structures and decision-making frameworks.

The Joint Scrutiny Panel is established to provide cross-council, non-executive and non-decision making scrutiny of the process for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) across Gloucestershire, including the arrangements for governance, decision-making, finance, engagement, evidence and transparency.

Elected members will continue to be accountable to residents, as they are now. Shadow elections are due to take place in May 2027.

We will provide regular updates through Future Gloucestershire and council channels, media briefings, and public information resources including FAQs.

These include:

• Transition planning
• Establishment of shadow arrangements
• Elections to new authority/authorities
• Vesting day (when the new council(s) formally take over)

We will keep residents fully informed of each stage at the appropriate time.

A formal programme has been established, involving senior officers and elected members.

A shadow authority typically prepares the new organisation, including budgets and policies, ahead of vesting day. Existing councils continue delivering services during this period.

Elections are due to take place on May 6, 2027 for elections to the shadow authority. The shadow authority will make decisions which will inform the creation of the new council, which will be effective from 1 April 2028.

This follows the standard democratic electoral process, with candidates selected by political parties or standing independently.

Councils are experienced in working across political differences. The statutory framework for local government ensures decisions can continue to be made effectively.

The Government’s decision is final. However, the decision-making process can be challenged through a Judicial Review. A Judicial Review does not reconsider the merits of the decision itself; it considers whether the decision was made lawfully and followed the correct process.