Have your say on the future of local authorities in West of England, Devon and Gloucestershire

In December 2024, the government published the English Devolution White Paper. This sets out plans to move power out of Westminster and back to local communities, ensuring that every part of England is covered by devolution.

Local authorities across the region are currently undertaking consultations to gather the views of residents on the reorganization of councils.

The West of England Combined Authority is seeking views from across all parts of the West of England on a proposal for expansion of to incorporate North Somerset Council. There has been strong support locally for North Somerset Council to join the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and gain access to the additional powers and funding that membership of a Combined Authority brings.

This expansion is supported by national government. Before taking a decision on whether to proceed with including North Somerset within the existing Combined Authority covering the West of England region, the Combined Authority is seeking views from interested parties, including those who live, work, and/or have businesses within the existing West of England area and North Somerset Council area.

This consultation will remain open for responses until 23.59 on Friday 10 April 2026. Click here for more information.

Gloucestershire councils are encouraging residents and communities to take part in a new government consultation on how local government in the county could be organised in future.

Reorganisation will involve replacing Gloucestershire’s existing county council and six borough and district councils with one or two new councils.

Three proposals were put forward by Gloucestershire’s councils in November, and the government will decide on its preferred option this summer.

The options are:  

One countywide unitary council. A single council responsible for all services across Gloucestershire.  

Two unitary councils (east/west split), each responsible for all services in that area:

• West: Gloucester City, Forest of Dean District, Stroud District   
• East: Cheltenham Borough, Tewkesbury Borough, Cotswold District  

Two unitary councils (Greater Gloucester and Gloucestershire Unitary), each responsible for all services in that area:

• Greater Gloucester: an area slightly expanded beyond Gloucester city   
• Gloucestershire Unitary: the rest of the county  

The will close on Thursday 26 March. Click here for more information.

A consultation on the future of local government in Devon has been opened by the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government. This is the latest step in the process for reorganising local authorities following UK Government’s decision to simplify local services in England.

All authorities in the county had the opportunity to respond and there are now five proposals on the table for the county.

• "Reimagining Devon" - three unitary authorities proposed by South Hams, Teignbridge, and West Devon.
• "Reimagining Devon" - three unitary authorities, with a request to modify the boundaries of Plymouth, proposed by East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, and Torridge.
• "The Case for Devon" - three unitary authorities, including a single large unitary council for Devon, alongside the existing Plymouth and Torbay unitary councils, proposed by Devon County Council 
• "Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon" suggests expanded boundaries for the Plymouth and Torbay unitaries, a new unitary council for Exeter and the surrounding area, plus a rural and coastal unitary covering the remaining area, proposed by Plymouth & Exeter City Councils.
• "Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon" which is similar to the Plymouth & Exeter proposal, but suggests that Torbay would maintain its current boundaries, proposed by Torbay Council.

The consultation can be viewed at https://www.devonlgr.co.uk and will be open until Thursday 26 March 2026.