Gloucestershire to be one unitary authority

Tewkesbury Borough Council leader, Richard Stanley posted: 

"I welcome the decision to move forward with a single unitary council for the whole of Gloucestershire. From the outset, Tewkesbury Borough Council has consistently argued that keeping Gloucestershire together is the best way to protect local services, avoid the costly and disruptive process of disaggregation, and create a stronger, more sustainable future for our communities. At times, we were the only council making that case, because we believed it was the right thing to do for Gloucestershire’s residents.

I would like to thank the officers of Tewkesbury Borough who have worked so hard to make the case for a single unitary, to the Gloucestershire MP’s who backed a single unitary and to everyone who signed the petition and took the time to respond to the Government’s consultation. Your voices have been heard, and your support has helped demonstrate the strength of feeling that Gloucestershire is stronger together.

I also want to reassure both our residents and our staff. Today’s decision does not change our commitment to delivering the high-quality services people rely on every day. Our focus remains on serving our communities while working constructively with partners across the county to ensure a smooth and carefully managed transition.

There is still much work to do, but this decision provides clarity and allows us to move forward with confidence. We will continue to put residents first, protect valued local services, and help shape a new council that delivers the best possible outcomes for everyone across Gloucestershire.

This has never been about council boundaries; it has always been about doing what’s right for the people of Gloucestershire. I am pleased the Government has recognised that a single county-wide unitary council offers the strongest foundation for our future. We will now play our full part in ensuring this change is delivered in a way that protects services, supports our staff, and benefits every community across our county."