Tewkesbury Council Supports Keeping Gloucestershire as One Unified County
Tewkesbury Borough Council voted to maintain Gloucestershire as a single unitary authority, opposing plans to split it into two separate councils.
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, England, Local Government, Unitary Authority
Tewkesbury: The Tewkesbury Borough Council is backing a plan to keep Gloucestershire united. They want to avoid splitting the county into two separate councils. Most councillors voted in favor of this idea during a meeting.
The government recently proposed changes to local government in England. They want to create more unitary councils, which would merge district councils with county councils. This could affect how services are delivered in Gloucestershire.
Currently, Gloucestershire has a two-tier system. Local government responsibilities are shared between the County Council and district councils. Some MPs suggest creating two unitary authorities, one for West Gloucestershire and another for East Gloucestershire.
However, Tewkesbury leaders, including MP Cameron Thomas, prefer a single unitary council for the entire county. They believe this approach will benefit residents more effectively.
Richard Stanley, the Liberal Democrat leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, is a strong advocate for keeping the county together. He started a petition against the split, which has gathered over 1,100 signatures.
During the meeting, councillors from various parties supported Stanley’s view. He emphasized that breaking up the county could lead to confusion in managing services like health and education.
Stanley believes that maintaining a unified Gloucestershire will promote growth and improve services for residents. He pointed out that splitting the county could complicate how different areas manage essential services.
Some councillors expressed concerns about the potential disruption caused by splitting the council. They argued that keeping Gloucestershire whole would provide better service delivery.
Despite the support for a unified council, one councillor voiced concerns about a possible power grab if a single unitary council is formed. He suggested that two councils might better represent local interests.
As discussions continue, the government plans to announce decisions regarding local government reorganization soon. This could lead to significant changes in how services are managed in Gloucestershire.