The county council elections in Gloucestershire will go ahead as planned on May 1, the Government has announced.
Elections in some areas will be delayed for one year to allow major reorganisations to take place.
Responding to the news, Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, welcomed the decision to hold the local elections in Gloucestershire.
“Stopping the county council elections was a blatant attempt by the Conservative county council leadership to stop voters having their say on their failed administration,” the Liberal Democrat councillor said.
“I’m relieved it has failed and democracy should never be put on hold for political convenience.
“I am pleased the county council elections will go ahead on May 1 as planned. The elections should never have been under threat.
“Postponing these elections would have been an insult to local people. Thankfully, common sense has prevailed, and democracy has won the day.
“Postponing the elections was never about reorganising local government in Gloucestershire – it was a desperate attempt by the Conservatives to cling onto power.
“The rejection of this delay is a victory for accountability and local democracy.
“It’s time to boot this failed administration out of office. May 1 cannot come soon enough.”