REORGANISATION

Tewkesbury councillors advised to scrap name change

Officers have recommended that Tewkesbury BC abandons the process of changing its name after local government reorganisation plans were announced.

Tewkesbury (c) Colin Burdett/Shutterstock

Tewkesbury (c) Colin Burdett/Shutterstock

Officers have recommended that Tewkesbury BC abandons the process of changing its name after local government reorganisation plans were announced.

The council agreed last year to change its name to North Gloucestershire BC, with 59% of residents in favour.

But, after the Government unveiled plans to reorganise local authorities in England, a council report said funding the change ‘when the council will cease to exist' could be deemed an ‘inefficient use of money and resources'.

Gloucestershire CC has asked the Government to delay its elections this year so the region can progress quickly with reorganisation, although Tewkesbury said there was a ‘lack of consensus' about the best approach for the region.

Separately, the prospect of local government reorganisation in Hampshire has forced New Forest DC to rethink a major refurbishment of its headquarters.

Last summer the council approved a £1.75m budget for modernising its offices, a move that would enable it to let out one of the building's wings to bring in a projected £300,000 a year.

A council report has now highlighted ‘concerns regarding the scheme's ability to pay back the proposed investment in keeping with the original timeframe'.

The report added: ‘Therefore, it is recommended that council approves the removal of this previously approved scheme and adjust the council's medium-term financial plan accordingly, particularly the removal of the previously anticipated income stream.'

 

 

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