Six council leaders have joined forces to urge the government to treat LGR and devolution as “separate” and provide a clear route for Gloucestershire to join the West of England CA.
In a letter to local government minister Jim McMahon, leaders at six of the seven councils in Gloucestershire restated their ambition for Gloucestershire to join WECA, and called on the government to confirm Gloucestershire’s place in the devolution programme. They suggested a Gloucestershire Foundation Strategic Authority could be established as a first step towards full membership.
The letter is signed by the Liberal Democrat leaders of Gloucestershire CC, Cheltenham BC and Cotswold DC alongside the Green leaders of Forest of Dean and Stroud DCs. Gloucester City Council MD Jon McGinty signed on behalf of members as the council is currently without a leader following a vote of no confidence last month.
Tewkesbury BC leader Richard Stanley (Lib Dem) has not signed because council members have recommended that Gloucestershire’s councils continue to also explore options for joining counties to the north of Gloucestershire to seek a devolution deal.
The letter to Mr McMahon says joining WECA would reflect Gloucestershire’s strong links with Bristol and the wider South West – “unlocking economic growth, strengthening public services and positioning the region as one of the UK’s most significant for innovation, national security and investment”.
The renewed call for a devolution deal joining Gloucestershire with Bristol City Council and Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and soon North Somerset Councils, comes while the government reviews its decisions on local government reorganisation nationally, including in Gloucestershire.
The government announced in July that a new unitary council will replace the county and district councils in Gloucestershire, but that is now going through the “pause and review” process.
Gloucestershire leader Lisa Spivey (Lib Dem), speaking on behalf of the six leaders, said: “Local government reorganisation may be paused, but devolution is a separate opportunity. We are asking the government for a clear route forward, enabling Gloucestershire to maintain momentum and achieve the vision and ambition we have for Gloucestershire.
“We want to capitalise on the opportunities devolution presents to secure greater investment, create new opportunities and help make our communities healthier and more prosperous.”
Amid concerns that devolution cannot progress until LGR is under way, the leaders emphasised their counter view. “Although the two processes are connected, they are separate. Local government reorganisation is about how councils and local services are organised. Devolution is about transferring powers and funding from central government to wider regional partnerships.”
Cllr Spivey added: “Gloucestershire is already closely connected to Bristol and the wider West of England. People travel across the region for work, education and healthcare, while our businesses and public services increasingly work together.
“Joining forces with partners in the South West would give our region a stronger voice and more influence over the decisions that affect everyday life. For residents and businesses, this could mean better transport connections, training linked to local jobs, infrastructure planned alongside new homes and stronger support for businesses to invest, grow and create jobs.”
Gloucester City Council MD Mr McGinty signed the letter on behalf of the council because it is currently without a leader and a cabinet. The then leader Jeremy Hilton (Lib Dem) lost a full council vote of no confidence by 21 votes to 18 on 24 September and the seven cabinet members resigned en masse. The vacuum will not be filled until Cabinet on 24 November.