Devolution Update

Introduction

The English Devolution White Paper sets out a range of proposals relating to devolution and Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

The current system of local government is complex. There is a range of different structures, including Strategic Authorities (mostly mayoral combined authorities), county councils, city councils, borough councils, district councils and parish councils.

In Gloucestershire, we have a county council which deals with issues such as adult and children’s social care, education, waste disposal, highways, and six district councils, which deal with issues such as planning, revenues and benefits, housing, licensing and waste collection, and then parish councils, which deal with very local services and facilities in the towns and villages.

The recent devolution White Paper is seeking to achieve two things – devolving more powers to local areas (devolution) and simplifying the local government structure (Local Government Reorganisation).

What is devolution and what will it mean?

Part of devolution is where powers that currently sit with Government are given to a local area so local decision makers can have more of a say in what happens in their area. It is important because it ensures that decisions are made closer to the local people, communities and businesses they affect.

The Government is keen to do this through establishing Strategic Authorities in areas that don’t currently have one. These Strategic Authorities, which are mostly led by directly elected mayors, will be responsible for issues including:

Housing
Highways and transport
Economic growth
Skills and employment support
Environment and climate change
Health
Public safety

For Gloucestershire, devolution would see the creation of a new Strategic Authority, made up of Gloucestershire and other neighbouring areas such as West of England (Bristol, Bath and South Gloucestershire) or Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and the authority would be led by a directly elected mayor.

Recently, the Government announced the six new areas that will join the Devolution Priority Programme – Gloucestershire is not one of the areas that will be prioritised in this first phase, however we are still expected to submit proposals to Government by November 2025.

What is Local Government Reorganisation?

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is the process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured.

The English Devolution White Paper also sets out that new, larger unitary authorities will replace district, borough and county councils.

Given 60% of the country already has Strategic Authorities (mayoral authorities) and unitary councils, it is seeking to reorganise local government in areas that still have county and districts – replacing them with unitary councils, which deliver all the services. It is worth noting, in the south-west of England, it is only Gloucestershire and Devon that have a two-tier system. All the other counties and cities are run by unitary councils.

For Gloucestershire, this would be relevant for Gloucestershire County Council and the six districts – Cotswold District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Gloucester City Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Forest of Dean District Council, and Stroud District Council.

When Gloucestershire moves to a unitary model, the county and district/borough/city councils would all be replaced and a new unitary council or councils would deliver all the services.

What are the benefits of devolution?

Devolution could mean:

More powers and more funding being passed down from Government.
Better co-ordination of services across the whole region.
Better support for skills development for our residents.
More strategic control over planning and housing.
A stronger voice for our region with central Government.

What are the benefits of Local Government Reorganisation?

Local Government Reorganisation could mean:

More co-ordinated approach to service delivery.
Giving better value-for-money.
Generation of savings.
Providing stronger strategic and local leadership.

Timeline

Status	Date	Action
Received	5 February 2025	Statutory invitation received from Government to submit unitary proposals
Received	21 March 2025	Submit interim Local Government Reorganisation proposal
Confirmed	1 May 2025	Gloucestershire County Council Elections
Confirmed	28 November 2025	Submit full Local Government Reorganisation proposal
Proposed	May 2027	Elections (Shadow authorities)*
Proposed	April 2028	Vesting day for new unitary councils

*Shadow authorities are, in essence, the new unitary council/s prior to them formally taking on all responsibilities.

What is the council doing now?

*We will keep this section updated with information as it comes available*

Alongside the other Gloucestershire councils, we are working with local partners, such as parish councils, the voluntary sector and health, to respond to the Government invitation received on 5 February 2025, which is to submit an interim proposal for Local Government Reorganisation by 21 March 2025.

Currently, there are three proposals in development, supported by different councils. These are:

One unitary for the whole county.
Two unitaries, with an east (Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Cotswold) and west (Gloucester, Forest of Dean and Stroud) split.
Two unitaries, one being an enlarged Gloucester city, and one being the remainder of the county.

If, in the run up to the final submission in November, there is still no local agreement on the unitary solution for Gloucestershire, Government ministers will make the decision.

Useful links

English Devolution White Paper:

The English Devolution White Paper sets out the Government’s agenda to increase and expand devolution across all parts of England.

Local Government Association (LGA) Devolution Hub:

Visit the LGA Devolution Hub to find further information and resources. This includes a list of regularly updated devolution and local government reorganisation FAQs. You can find updates on the current devolution framework and devolution deals agreed between Government and local areas.

Letter from Jim McMahon OBE. Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution:

The letter to all two-tier councils and neighbouring unitary authorities, dated 16 December 2024 sets out the Government’s process and milestones.