Gloucestershire faces decision on 'super council'

Local government in Gloucestershire is set to undergo a once in a generation transformation as its seven county and district councils are replaced with either one or two "super authorities".

Over the coming years the county will see a complete reorganisation of its council structures, changing which authorities deliver services to local people.

Here's everything we know so far.

Gloucestershire's current district and county local government system has been in place since 1974.

The county council is the top tier and oversees roads, libraries, schools, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, strategic planning, adult social care and children's services, among others.

The second tier includes the six district councils – Stroud, Gloucester, Cotswolds, Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and the Forest of Dean.

These are in charge of services including local planning, bin collection and housing among others.

The county also has a number of town and parish councils.

In December the government said it wanted to move away from the older county and district model, and switch to unitary authorities, or "super councils", which take responsibility for delivering all services.

In Gloucestershire, this means getting rid of the seven existing district and county councils and replacing them with either one or two unitary authorities.

The town and parish councils will not be affected.

There are currently three options being discussed in the county.

The first is to merge all seven existing councils in to one "super unitary".

This means Gloucestershire's entire population would be served by one single authority, which would take control of everything.

In theory, this would be the most efficient model as it would require one set of officers and front-line staff to delivery all services.

It would also considerably reduce the number of elected councillors.

However, there are concerns a single council could become too centralised, and the reduction in councillors could lead to a lack of representation for residents.

Initial calculations suggest it would take three years to pay off switching to this model.

The second option is to split the county down the middle and create two unitary authorities.

This would see Gloucester, the Forest of Dean and Stroud forming one council, with Cheltenham, Cotswolds and Tewkesbury forming the second.

This model would provide a greater number of councillors and representation, and a number of services could be shared between the two authorities.

But critics say it threatens to create a rich/poor divide in the county, with the Gloucester side unable to raise as much revenue through council tax.

There would also be the need to double up on certain roles which each authority would have a statutory duty to maintain, including children's services departments.

Initial calculations suggest it would take nine years to pay off switching to this model.

The final option which has been mooted is the Gloucester doughnut.

This involves creating a greater-Gloucester authority comprised of the city and surrounding villages in the "hole" of the doughnut.

A second authority would then be created in the outer "ring" of the doughnut.

This option has not gained much support.

Some Stroud councillors have also suggested the district could look to explore joining South Gloucestershire unitary authority.

But it is unclear whether this could be possible under the current reorganisation rules.

Preferences are very much split down party lines at the moment across the county.

The Conservatives are strongly backing the creation of a single unitary council, while Labour councillors and MPs are in favour of the two unitary model.

The Liberal Democrat group is divided on its preference.

Tewkesbury Borough Council leader, Richard Stanley, and Tewkesbury MP, Cameron Thomas, are both backing the single option, while councillors in the Cotswolds and Cheltenham are behind the formation of two councils.

Gloucester City Council leader, Jeremy Hilton, is the creator and chief backer of the "Gloucester doughnut", and others in the local party say they are yet to decide.

The county's Green Party is holding back from coming out with a set position, and a spokesperson says the group is still considering the merits of all the options.

The seven councils have to submit their working proposals to the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government by Friday, 21 March.

The government want final plans to be handed in by Friday, 28 November.

In a letter to the authorities, the department said it wants one final proposal to be put forward, which means all seven need to find some form of consensus.

Detailed work in to the costs, benefits and implications of each option is now taking place.

Once a final decision is made, it is understood a shadow authority will be set up and work to transfer services will begin.

It is hoped the new authority or authorities will be fully formed and functioning by 2028.

Alongside moving to a unitary model, the county is also looking at its devolution options.

This involves creating or joining a combined authority, which is run by a directly elected metro mayor.

Combined authorities are made up of groups of councils which boarder each other.

They are able to draw down pots of money from central government to spend on large transport, planning and adult education projects.

Gloucestershire is currently considering whether it wants to ask to join the West of England Combined Authority (Weca), which is made up of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset.

It is also looking at whether to form a new combined authority with either Herefordshire and Worcestershire or Swindon and Oxfordshire.

It will take the county a number of years to move in to a unitary authority, and is unlikely to take place until the unitary switch is made.

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