Pause in biggest local government shake-up for 50 years puts council leaders in a spin

Leaders of councils in the South West due to be affected by the biggest shake up of local authorities for more thann half a century have expressed surprise at the Government’s decision to ‘pause’ the move.

Ministers last night launched a unexpected review of the project in light of new legal advice.

In the South West, reaction ranged from one local authority leader describing herself as “reeling” from the announcement to others welcoming the it but pointing out it they had already spent millions of pounds on preparing for the reforms.

In Gloucestershire, the county’s seven councils had been told they would merge into one or possibly two ‘super councils’, while in Devon the local authorities covering Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay were due to expand, with the rest of the county coming under a fourth unitary authority.

The moves were due to take place from April 2028.

Gloucestershire and Devon are among 14 areas across England where the reorganisation is now being put on ice while the review is carried out.

Leader of Gloucestershire County Council Lisa Spivey she had been sent “reeling” by the news and was “very shocked”.

“Normally, these kind of things you get wind of,” she told the BBC.

“There’s always a little bit of rumours,” adding, however, that there was “absolutely not even a hint of this happening”.

Tewkesbury Borough Council leader Richard Stanley said: “It was something Government pushed on us and to now have them make a decision and then move the goal posts on a big decision like this, it’s really frustrating,.”

Chloe Turner, leader of Stroud District Council, was more forthright, describing the decision as an “absolute shambles” and a “distraction”.

“We need to be focused on reviving local services, restoring public trust, and to have the finance and headspace to address the climate and nature emergency,” she said.

Local elections in Tewkesbury, the Cotswolds and Forest of Dean, scheduled for next May but cancelled last August, are now back on.

Paul Arnott, Liberal Democrat deputy leader of Devon County Council and leader of East Devon District Council, welcomed the decision and believed credit should go to Prime Minister Andy Burnham for having the “good judgment and humility” to pause and review the plans.

But he said millions had already been spent preparing for the reforms.

“At both county and district levels, at least 30% of officer capacity has been redirected to work on local government reorganisation – that is multiple millions of pounds,” he added.

Tudor Evans, leader of Labour-run Plymouth City Council, said the authority understood the Government’s decision, adding: “In the meantime, we welcome its continued commitment to devolving more decision making away from Westminster.”

He said the council now planned to hold local elections next year on its existing boundaries.