Borough council drops name change due to prospective local government reorganisation

Tewkesbury Borough Council is set to shelve plans to change its name following news of the Government's proposals to scrap two-tier authorities.

Councillors said they were minded to back a change of name in May 2024 and set out plans to launch a consultation on renaming the local authority to 'North Gloucestershire Borough Council'.

Fifty-eight per cent of the respondents to the consultation supported the move, leading to councillors voting to approve the new name in September 2024.

A rollout of digital assets with the new name was scheduled for 4 December, but a cyber incident delayed the move.

The rollout was then placed on hold after the publication of the English Devolution White Paper revealed the Government's plan to replace two-tier local authority areas with unitary councils.

As a result, councillors are now set to vote on scrapping the name change at a council meeting next week (28 January).

Members will consider a report from Tewkesbury's chief executive, Alistair Cunningham, which notes: "The council decision to change its name to North Gloucestershire Borough Council was taken prior to the Government's local government reorganisation announcement.

"In light of the English Devolution White Paper, it is now considered prudent for the decision to be reconsidered.

"Although a low-cost approach was committed to, allocating any funds or resources to implement it when the council will cease to exist could be seen as an inefficient use of money and resources."

The report recommends that members vote to approve the organisation remaining as Tewkesbury Borough Council.

The council had budgeted £10,000 for the name change.

Adam Carey