Government Confirms Single Unitary Authority: "Gloucestershire Council"

14 Aug 2026

Ministers have officially confirmed the creation of Gloucestershire Council, a single new unitary authority that will replace the existing county council and six district, borough, and city councils. The decision follows a comprehensive government consultation in which 65% of responding local partners and residents expressed a preference for a single unitary authority across the county.

Key points

Confirmation of the new council's name, governance arrangements, and officer leadership came via an official letter from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

New Council Name: Gloucestershire Council
Elected Representation: 110 councillors representing local communities across the county.
Transition Oversight: A 12-member Joint Committee comprising six representatives from Gloucestershire County Council and one from each district, borough, and city council.
Implementation Lead: Jo Walker, Chief Executive of Gloucestershire County Council, appointed as Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) heading a dedicated cross-council officer team.

Implementation Timeline: What Happens Next?

The transition process is set out under a forthcoming Structural Change Order, the statutory legislation establishing the new council:

Winter 2026 – Legislation in Parliament: Details regarding ward boundaries, parish election arrangements, and implementation steps will be finalized before the Structural Change Order is presented to Parliament.
May 2027 – Shadow Council Elections: Voters will elect representatives to a temporary shadow authority tasked with setting initial budgets, drafting governance policies, and managing legal transfers.
1 April 2028 – Official Launch: Gloucestershire Council formally assumes full operational responsibility, replacing the existing seven authorities.

Officers across all seven authorities will continue laying the groundwork behind the scenes to deliver modern, joined-up public services while keeping residents, staff, and community partners informed throughout the transition.