Call for views on 'once-in-a-generation' changes

Residents are being asked for their views on the future of how Gloucestershire should be run.

The government is asking for feedback on three possible options to replace the current system of a county council and six borough and district councils.

A consultation has been launched which will close on 26 March, with a final decision expected in the summer.

The county council said the consultation was "an important chance" for people to have their say as the government considered a "once-in-a-generation shake-up" to how local services are run.

The three options put forward by Gloucestershire's councils in November are:

• One countywide unitary council responsible for all services across Gloucestershire
• Two unitary councils (east/west split) each responsible for all services in that area. One authority would include Gloucester City, Forest of Dean District and Stroud District and the other would include Cheltenham Borough, Tewkesbury Borough and Cotswold District
• Two unitary councils (Greater Gloucester and Gloucestershire Unitary), each responsible for all services in that area. Greater Gloucester would consist of an area slightly expanded beyond Gloucester city and Gloucestershire Unitary would cover the rest of the county

The government is asking to what extent the proposals:

• are based on sensible geographies and economic areas
• will deliver the outcomes described in the proposals
• are the right size to be efficient, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks
• will deliver high quality, sustainable public services
• have been informed by local views and will meet local needs
• will support devolution arrangements
• will enable stronger community engagement and give the opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment

The government said responses would help it assess which option best met its criteria.

Any new structure would be established no earlier than April 2028.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.