Shaping Gloucestershire's Future: Giving Communities a Stronger Voice
The Government has announced its decision to create a single unitary council for Gloucestershire. Consequently, Gloucestershire is preparing for one of the largest transformations in its local governance structure in decades.
Recap: What is Local Government Reorganisation?
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is designed to simplify governance, improve efficiency and create councils that are better aligned with the Government’s wider devolution plans. In Gloucestershire, this means replacing existing county, city, district and borough councils with a new unitary authority.
Ensuring communities have a voice
At the heart of LGR is a fundamental opportunity for Gloucestershire’s communities to play a more active role in shaping their future. The Neighbourhood and Communities Programme is responsible for designing how this could work. This programme is split into five workstreams with VCSE representation on each. These are:
VCFSE Partnerships:
Defining the future partnership between the new unitary council and the VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith and Social Enterprise) sector, including how faith and diverse communities can be better represented.
Representatives: Kirsty Dunleavy-Harris (Active Gloucestershire), Clare Knapman (North and West Gloucestershire Citizens Advice Bureau) and Jill Parker (Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance)
Town and Parish Partnerships:
Considering how future unitary authorities can build productive relationships with town and parish councils.
Representatives: Chris Brown (Forest Voluntary Action Forum) and Sarah Bourne (The Churn Community Hub)
Natural Communities:
Working to understand how residents identify their local communities and helping to inform future neighbourhood boundaries.
Representative: Alan Inman-Ward (Age UK Gloucestershire)
Participation:
Developing a shared vision for consultation, engagement, co-production and co-design to ensure communities can actively influence decisions.
Representative: Jill Parker (Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance)
Structure, Functions and Governance:
Exploring potential models for neighbourhood partnerships and community-level governance.
Representative: Jill Parker (Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance)
As these workstreams develop, there will be opportunities for organisations and residents to contribute. Programme members are already exploring how best to gather a wide range of views while avoiding duplication and unnecessary demands on local organisations and communities.
In the meantime, if you wish to contact any of the VCSE representatives, please email info@glosalliance.org.uk and we will forward your message to the most relevant person.
What happens next?
Elections for a shadow authority will take place on 6 May 2027. This body will be responsible for making the major decisions related to the creation of the new council and ensure a smooth transition from the current two-tier system.
The new unitary council will officially take over on 1 April 2028, a date known as “vesting day”, when the existing county, city, district and borough councils will cease to exist.
Alongside local government reorganisation, devolution is expected to transfer some powers from central government to the regions. Current proposals suggest Gloucestershire could become part of a new strategic authority alongside neighbouring areas, including either the West of England (Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire) or Herefordshire and Worcestershire. This authority will be led by a directly elected mayor.
Stay Informed
Join our event on Shaping Future Gloucestershire
1 October 2026 1.30-3.30pm, Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester
Find out more about devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire:
Future Gloucestershire : Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire.
Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance will continue to share updates through our regular bulletins.