The Cabinet of Cotswold Council met on Wednesday 26 November 2025 and approved recommendations for the future of local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire. The meeting focused on the submission of proposals for a single unitary authority for the county.

Local Government Reorganisation Submission

The Cabinet resolved to propose a single unitary council option for Gloucestershire in response to the Minister's invitation of 5 February 2025. This decision was made following extensive debate at Full Council, which had unanimously favoured the single unitary option. The Cabinet also agreed to treat this decision as urgent, disapplying the usual call-in procedure on the grounds that any delay would prejudice the Council's and the public's interests.

Councillor Mike Evemy, Leader of the Council, introduced the item, noting that all Cabinet members had been present at the Full Council meeting where the options for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) had been debated. He highlighted that the single unitary authority proposal was the only unanimous decision among the Gloucestershire councils. Councillor Evemy stated that, on balance, the single unitary option appeared to be in the best interests of the District and its residents, referencing arguments made during the Full Council debate concerning service resilience, the vulnerability of users of SEND and adult social care, financial sustainability, and the significant difference in ongoing savings between the available options. Concerns were also raised about the long-term viability of a two-unitary split.

Councillor Patrick Coleman commended the careful, evidence-based approach taken throughout the process, a sentiment echoed by Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, who expressed his support for the single unitary option, citing the Fire Service as a strong example of unified service delivery.

Councillor Evemy concluded by noting that significant work lay ahead, requiring increasing Member involvement. He reported that four councils in the county supported the single unitary option, one supported the Greater Gloucester option, one supported the East/West split, and one had expressed no preference. These three options would proceed to government consideration, with a decision expected in June or July 2026.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Paul Hodgkinson. The vote was 6 in favour, with 0 against and 0 abstentions.

The Cabinet also considered a recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding progress on the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation in Gloucestershire. It was noted that while government funding had been provided for the current stage of the LGR process, implementation costs would need to be covered by councils themselves, with no additional central funding. The estimated cost for Cotswold District Council was £2 million, a figure still subject to discussion with other councils. The Deputy Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer had recommended prudently allocating this amount. It was confirmed that regular updates would be provided to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and decisions would remain open to scrutiny. Councillor Patrick Coleman and the Deputy Chief Executive and S151 Officer would consider the level of financial provisions to be allocated at budget time. The formal response to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee's recommendation was published online during the meeting.

The two proposals for local government reorganisation in Gloucestershire, developed collaboratively with all seven Gloucestershire councils, were:

• a) creating a single unitary authority for the whole county; and
• b) creating two unitary authorities, based on an East/West division of existing district and city councils. The proposal for East Gloucestershire Council comprised Tewksbury Borough Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, and Cotswold District Council, along with the associated proportion of Gloucestershire County Council. The proposal for West Gloucestershire Council comprised Gloucester City Council, Forest of Dean District Council, and Stroud District Council, and the associated proportion of Gloucestershire County Council.

These proposals were considered by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 17 November 2025, Full Council on 26 November 2025, and Cabinet on 26 November 2025. The Cabinet was required to decide which, if any, proposal should be formally submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Mike Evemy (Leader of the Council), Councillor Claire Bloomer, Councillor Patrick Coleman (Cabinet Member for Finance), Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, Councillor Mike McKeown (Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Digital), and Councillor Andrea Pellegram (Cabinet Member for Environment and Regulatory Services). Apologies were received from Councillor Juliet Layton (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) and Councillor Tristan Wilkinson (Cabinet Member for Economy and Council Transformation). Officers present included Jane Portman (Interim Chief Executive Officer), Angela Claridge (Director of Governance and Development, Monitoring Officer), Helen Martin (Director of Communities and Place), David Stanley (Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer), Andrew Brown (Head of Democratic and Electoral Services), Julia Gibson (Democratic Services Officer), and Nickie Mackenzie-Daste (Senior Democratic Services Officer). Councillor Nikki Ind attended as an observer.

The next Cabinet meeting was scheduled for 8 January 2026.