Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – Gloucestershire proposals submitted to government
Posted on: 28 November 2025
Gloucestershire councils today (28 November) made a joint submission to government on proposals for the future of local government in the county supported by a letter reflecting the level of collaboration and joint working in the county.
The submission comes following meetings throughout November where councillors of each of the seven councils have debated the pros and cons of the different proposals for LGR.
A summary of the decision of each council is below.
| Council | Recommendation to government |
| Cheltenham Borough Council | Two unitary – east/west |
| Cotswold District Council | One unitary |
| Forest of Dean District Council | None (not supportive of LGR) |
| Gloucester City Council | Two unitary – Greater Gloucester/Gloucestershire Unitary |
| Gloucestershire County Council | One unitary |
| Stroud District Council | One unitary |
| Tewkesbury Borough Council | One unitary |
The full proposals are available on Future Gloucestershire : Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire.
Government will consult early next year on all submitted proposals that meet its criteria and is expected to make a final decision in summer 2026. Elections for the shadow authority or authorities are likely to take place in May 2027 with the new unitary structure in place on 1 April 2028.
All seven councils are already working together to develop plans on how to deliver all the work needed between now and the new council or councils being established.
