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Gloucestershire Business News

Is it time to scrap Gloucestershire's district councils?

A county MP says Gloucestershire should end its two-tier local authority system and replace it with one "super" council in overall control.

Stroud MP David Drew believes replacing the county's six district councils and county council with one unitary authority would save money and deliver better services to taxpayers.

Mr Drew said: "Our councils are all facing dire financial circumstances and we have seen the impact this is having on strategic direction services, from children's services to potholes.

"It has reached a critical point. Gloucestershire is the last county in the south west to fully embrace proper reform. We need strong local councils capable of delivering effective services. Seven years of cuts have left councils depleted, which is not helped by unnecessary and costly capital investments like the incinerator."

The MP has renewed calls for a restructuring of Gloucestershire's six district councils and one county council, saying that a unitary authority would deliver financial savings, better services and more direct accountability.

Mr Drew also believes that Gloucestershire is missing out on funding because of our two-tier system and is falling behind most other counties in the South West which have already moved to a unitary council.

Mr Drew raised the issue with government minister Rishi Sunak, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Local Government, at a Westminster Hall debate this week.

Members of Parliament can bid to raise key issues as Westminster Hall debates, which are an opportunity to quiz government ministers 'on the record.'

"I was pleased to be granted a sought-after debate slot for Gloucestershire. The need for review is now urgent because of the dire financial situation facing the county's local authorities; the lack of strategy and co-ordination over services, with waste collection and disposal a prime example.

"Gloucestershire is in danger of being left behind as other counties recognise the financial and service benefits of unitary authorities," said Mr Drew.

"Moving to a unitary system would improve co-ordination and efficiency of a range of services such as waste collection and disposal, transport, housing provision and planning.

In addition, it would make local councils more accountable and democratically accessible as the two-tier system is often confusing to the electorate who don't know what each level of local government does."

He said of the seven South West counties, only Devon and Gloucestershire are not yet moving towards unitary statues.

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