Statement on Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has today said that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is being paused and reviewed. This includes proposals affecting Gloucestershire.

This is an unexpected announcement from the Government, which we know will prompt many questions from all stakeholders across Gloucestershire. Councils in Gloucestershire are seeking further information following the announcement by the Secretary of State to the House of Commons today (Monday 7 September).

In that announcement, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said that the review follows updated legal advice provided to ministers. As part of this process, the Government has confirmed that plans for a number of areas will be paused while the review is undertaken.

The Government has stated that the purpose of the review is to ensure that the reorganisation process is “robust, complies with legal requirements, and aligns with the priorities of the new administration and its wider plans for devolution and local government reform”.

As part of the announcement, the Government also confirmed that local elections scheduled for May 2027 will proceed on existing council boundaries while the review is carried out.

At this stage, we do not have any further detail on the implications for Gloucestershire or on the timescales for completing the review. Council leaders and senior leadership teams at Gloucestershire’s principal councils are expecting to be briefed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in the next 24 hours, and will issue a further statement after that.

For press enquiries, contact: communications, telephone 01242 264231, email communications@cheltenham.gov.uk.

Statement on Local Government Reorganisation

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