Welcome to the Summer 2026 edition of the Heritage Hub e-newsletter

A major change is on the horizon for local government in Gloucestershire. On 16 July 2026, the Government announced that a new unitary authority will be created, bringing together the responsibilities currently held by Gloucestershire County Council and the county’s six district, borough and city councils.

From 1 April 2028, Gloucestershire Council will replace Gloucestershire County Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council. The new council will deliver the full range of local services now provided by those seven authorities, including archives.

More information about the changes is available at https://futuregloucestershire.org.uk/.

The reorganisation marks the latest chapter in a long history of local administration in the county. Gloucestershire County Council was formed in 1889, taking over responsibilities previously held by the Quarter Sessions Courts. The city, borough and district councils we know today were established in their current form on 1 April 1974, although many have much older roots.

Gloucester’s own municipal history stretches back centuries. Its corporation developed through a series of medieval royal charters, beginning with the first charter granted by King Henry II in 1155 and culminating in Richard III’s charter of 1483. It was later reformed in 1835 before becoming Gloucester City Council in 1974.

As Gloucestershire prepares for the creation of its new council, the change will bring together centuries of local civic tradition with a new structure for delivering services across the county.