By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Gloucester’s historic city status will not be lost as a result of local government reorganisation.
The dissolution of the monasteries and the subsequent transformation of St Peter’s Abbey into a cathedral led to Gloucester becoming a city in 1541.
However, there had been concerns this status could be lost as Gloucester City Council is soon expected to be abolished.
Under the preferred council shake-up proposed for Gloucestershire the county council will be merged with the six districts.
But local government minister Jim McMahon said this week it “would be absolutely wrong if a city risked losing its status just because its city status is aligned to a local authority that is being abolished rather than to a geographical area”.
“I can give an absolute assurance that even if we have to introduce new legislation to preserve that status, we will do whatever we have to do to ensure that no city loses its city status through reorganisation,” he said in a response to a question.
Earlier in the debate he said he had heard from MPs “about the pride, history and identity sitting behind our cities and counties”.
He added: “City status and ceremonial matters play a valuable role for local pride, so we will work with areas to ensure that city status is preserved following reorganisation.
“Subject to final decisions, we will continue to work with places to protect their city status by working through all the options, including bringing forward legislation where necessary.”
Liberal Democrat Jeremy Hilton (Kingsholm and Wotton) said he was relieved and pleased that places like Gloucester will not lose their city status under local government reorganisation.
“We are still waiting to find out how they will make sure that is done but previously we were getting pushback from people working in Whitehall,” he said.
“But the fact we have now had it from Jim McMahon is really positive.
“It now means it is on their agenda and they are not going to let the system fall apart because they haven’t thought about it.
“The processes that were going to take place for local government reorganisation could have inadvertently removed city status from a number of cities around the country.
“So it’s pleasing they are going to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Former sheriff and mayor Andrew Gravells (C, Abbeydale) also welcomed the protection of Gloucester’s city status.
He said: “It is very important that we retain the ancient civic offices of sheriff and mayor.
“There is no reason why this shouldn’t happen. Our city history and traditions should be retained.”
A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: “We very much welcome the minister’s confirmation that the government intends to work with us to ensure that city status will be preserved for Gloucester. We feel it is particularly important for a city with such a rich heritage.”