Tewkesbury Council Leader Urges Continued Devolution Talks for Gloucestershire
Cllr Richard Stanley writes to government, supporting devolution while exploring strategic options with West of England and Three Counties.
By Imogen Drake
••2 min read
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Tewkesbury Borough Council has reaffirmed its support for devolution in Gloucestershire, with Council Leader Cllr Richard Stanley urging the government to continue exploring strategic authority options for the county.
In a letter addressed to Jim McMahon OBE MP, Minister for Local Government, Devolution and Regional Growth, Cllr Stanley highlighted Gloucestershire's strategic location between the South West and the Midlands. He stated that the county should continue to investigate opportunities through closer collaboration with the West of England and the established Three Counties relationship with Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
The correspondence reiterates Tewkesbury Borough Council's stance that devolution could bring substantial benefits to residents, businesses, and public services by transferring more powers, funding, and decision-making closer to local communities.
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"Tewkesbury Borough Council remains firmly supportive of devolution being delivered for Gloucestershire at the earliest opportunity. Gloucestershire occupies a unique position between the South West and the Midlands. This creates credible opportunities for future strategic alignment both to the south, through closer links with Bristol and the West of England, and to the north through the long-established Three Counties relationship with Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Both options present genuine opportunities, and Gloucestershire should remain free to engage constructively in discussions in both directions before determining its future position."
The letter also emphasised the importance of ensuring that future devolution arrangements effectively support public service delivery, including alignment across local government, health, policing, transport, and strategic planning.
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"Gloucestershire is ready to move forward. Early progress on devolution would provide certainty, strengthen our ability to deliver growth and public service reform, and ensure the county can continue making a significant contribution to the Government’s wider ambitions."
Cllr Stanley has requested that the government reaffirm Gloucestershire's inclusion in the devolution programme, support swift progress towards devolution, facilitate discussions with neighbouring authorities and strategic authorities, and provide a clear timeline for future decisions.
