Coopers Edge Residents Fear “Bonkers” Parish Divide in Gloucestershire Council Restructuring
Residents of the Gloucester suburb of Coopers Edge are voicing concerns over the proposed reorganisation of local government in Gloucestershire. The options being considered include merging the County Council with the six district authorities to create a single unitary council, or splitting the county into East and West unitary councils.
Details
Coopers Edge currently finds itself divided between the borough of Tewkesbury and the district of Stroud, despite being located just a short distance from the city of Gloucester. This peculiar border situation has already caused numerous challenges for local residents, such as having their bins collected on different days compared to their neighbours.
The East/West unitary proposal would further cement this division, with the Tewkesbury portion of Coopers Edge ending up in the East council, while the Stroud area would be in the West. Councillor Ben Evans, who represents Brockworth at Shire Hall, has criticised this idea as “bonkers” and “half-baked.”
In fact, Coopers Edge is not just divided between two district councils, but also falls under three different parish councils – Brockworth, Hucclecote and Upton St Leonards. All three parishes have voted in support of a single unitary council for the entire county, which they believe would be the best solution for their community.
Hucclecote Parish Councillor Chas Townley stated: “Coopers Edge needs to be officially recognised as a single community within a single parish under one unitary authority. The proposed East/West boundary would run straight through the middle of our community, which would be disastrous.”
What You Need to Know
The reorganisation of local government in Gloucestershire is currently under review, with a decision expected in the coming months. Residents of Coopers Edge are urging the authorities to opt for a single unitary council to avoid further dividing their community.
For more information, please contact:
Gloucestershire County Council
Tel: 01452 425000
Email: info@gloucestershire.gov.uk
Website: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk