By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
North Gloucestershire council leaders are calling for a Three Counties devolution deal with Herefordshire and Worcestershire to be explored as well as one with the West of England.
There was frustration last week that ministers did not announce a devolution deal for the county.
Devolution is the transfer of power from the central government to local leaders such as elected mayors.
Which counties Gloucestershire would partner with to make major strategic decisions has yet to be decided.
The leaders of Gloucestershire County Council and five of the six district authorities strongly favour a partnership with the Bristol-centric West of England Combined Authority which they believe is the most beneficial route for the region’s long-term growth.
However, this is something which is strongly opposed by Reform UK and Conservative councillors at Shire Hall.
Tewkesbury Borough Council wants to see devolution options with neighbouring counties to the north also properly considered.
And their Liberal Democrat leader Richard Stanley has now written to local government minister Jim McMahon highlighting the county’s strategic position between the South West and the Midlands.
He says the county should continue exploring opportunities both through closer links with the West of England and through the long-established Three Counties relationship with Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he is concerned that such a major decision could be made on the county’s future with little public debate.
“There’s been no kind of public debate or discussion about which way we want to go,” he said.
“Given we don’t make the decision, you should keep both options on the table and be exploring both fairly to see which one comes out the strongest.
“There are definitely pros and cons with each.”
He went on to say that “there are some real benefits to looking north where you can be in a strategic authority from day one, that you’ve set up that you’ve shaped.
“You’re not having to wait your turn to join something.”
He believes the county could achieve devolution sooner and “have a much stronger seat at the table rather than be a Johnny-come-lately” by joining the well established WECA.
Cllr Stanley also said the council remains firmly supportive of devolution being delivered in the county 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,” he said in the letter.
“Both options present genuine opportunities. The south offers strong connections through labour markets, transport networks, innovation and advanced industries.
“Equally, the Three Counties geography brings together areas with shared strengths in advanced manufacturing, defence, and agritech, as well as common economic challenges and opportunities across a largely rural economy. Coupled with long-standing links along the M5 growth corridor, this provides a credible basis for strategic alignment.”
Councillor Vernon Smith (Tewkesbury West), who leads the Reform UK group at Shire Hall, sees Cllr Stanley’s letter as a “welcome and sensible start”.
“Crucially, it steps away from the blinkered rush to railroad Gloucestershire straight into the West of England Combined Authority, a scheme pursued behind closed doors without ever giving local residents a say,” he said.
“Taking a step back to breathe and evaluate our position properly is exactly what was needed. However, opening the door to regional alternatives is only step one. Any proposal that touches our county’s boundaries, governance, and planning powers must be put directly to the public.
“A letter acknowledging the complexity of the situation is a good start, but real common sense means genuine democracy: transparent scrutiny, detailed public consultation, and letting the people of Gloucestershire decide our future, rather than having it dictated by backroom deals.”
The Government says consent of all local authorities is needed to form a strategic authority they will continue to engage with leaders in Gloucestershire and neighbouring areas to achieve consensus.
“We want to see all areas, including Gloucestershire, get the best possible devolution agreements to benefit their communities” a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said last week.
“This requires agreement among all local authorities, and we’ll continue to engage with the council so devolution is delivered in Gloucestershire as soon as possible.”