Decision details
Local Government Reorganisation - Gloucestershire Structural Changes Order
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
Purpose
To consider representations to government on aspects of the Structural Changes Order.
Decision:
The purpose of the item was to outline the governance, legal framework, and key arrangements for the Gloucestershire Structural Changes Order, and to seek Cabinet’s agreement to submit representations to Government on behalf of Cotswold District Council.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mike Evemy, introduced the report and advised that the Government had invited Gloucestershire councils to make representations in response to a consultation on the proposed Structural Changes Order for local government reorganisation. These representations would be considered by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government when determining the final content of the Order.
Cabinet was informed that the consultation followed correspondence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and sought views from Gloucestershire councils on a range of governance and implementation matters associated with the unitary authority proposals currently under consideration. It was noted that the Government would ultimately decide the future structure of local government in Gloucestershire, and that the Council’s submission would set out its formal views on the options presented.
It was further noted that the report set out the key milestones, timelines and governance requirements associated with the development of the Gloucestershire Structural Changes Order following consultation on Local Government Reorganisation proposals. The report outlined the matters expected to be included within the Order, including arrangements for governance, elections, transition planning, implementation structures, electoral and warding arrangements, naming conventions, and the establishment of new authority structures.
The Leader outlined the proposed response, including comments on transitional governance arrangements, implementation structures, electoral and warding arrangements, naming conventions, and the operation of joint committees and shadow authorities. Particular reference was made to the Council’s support for the use of a “preparing authority” model should a single unitary authority be adopted, while recognising the importance of establishing a distinct culture and identity for any new council.
Cabinet noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had considered the matter and that its comments had informed the proposed response. It was also noted that all the Gloucestershire councils were working within their existing published meeting schedules to consider the consultation questions from MHCLG on local government reorganisation. The Overview and Scrutiny Panel at Cotswold District Council had been the first group of members to publicly consider the issues, with other councils due to follow shortly.
It was explained that representations from all seven councils would be collated into a single submission. Where there was agreement, a unified position would be reflected; where differences existed across the proposals, these would be clearly identified along with the underlying rationale for differing views. The aim was to achieve as much consistency as possible across the county’s response, which would be submitted to Government by the deadline of 16 June 2026.
An amendment to the first recommendation was noted.
The (amended) recommendations were proposed by Councillor Mike Evemy and seconded by Councillor Tristan Wilkinson.
Cabinet RESOLVED to:
1. Endorse the Cabinet response document as the basis for its response to the questions set out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding Gloucestershire’s Structural Changes Order
2. Delegate authority to the Leader of the Council to submit formal representations to MHCLG by their deadline of 16 June 2026
Voting record:
7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.
Councillor Dale, attending virtually, was not eligible to vote.
Report author: Jane Portman
Publication date: 05/06/2026
Date of decision: 04/06/2026
Decided at meeting: 04/06/2026 - Cabinet
Accompanying Documents:
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