Council on the way out? (From Stroud News and Journal)

Council on the way out?

STROUD District Council could be axed - if voters say so.

Politicians and staff at Ebley Mill could be replaced by one countywide super-authority as part of a major shake-up in the way Gloucestershire is run.

The move is an attempt by the Government to improve local services and redistribute power from Whitehall to the shires.

Gloucestershire is currently divided into two tiers - under the county council are three districts, two boroughs and one city council.

At Thursday's SDC cabinet meeting members were told that political groups have until April 27 to gauge the opinion of members.

Chief executive David Hagg said there could be changes to the role and number of councillors and more power for neighbourhoods.

Other local authorities across the county have expressed their initial opinions.

The Forest of Dean believes the existing two-tier system is working well while both Cheltenham and Tewkesbury boroughs say services could be improved.

Speaking after the meeting, SDC leader Chas Fellows (Cons, Chalford) said: "At the moment there is a huge amount of confusion as to who provides what service, when and why, but there could be one authority providing all the services."

He added that there would be pros and cons whatever the decision.

"There is a really strong and emotive downside to opting for a unitary authority in that jobs may be lost, which would impact on the economy," he said.

"However, single strategic authorities on average have tax bills of just £5 less a year per person which is nothing."

He stressed that changes would only be made if there was widespread approval.

In recent years, several towns, such as Swindon, have changed to a single, unitary authority.

The Government is expected to publish a white paper in June. Any changes could be in place as early as May 2009.