Council name change delayed over devolution review

A council that voted to change its name has said the move has been delayed until March due to uncertainty over a government White Paper on devolution.

Tewkesbury Borough Council is expected to be renamed North Gloucestershire Borough Council following the vote taken in September.

But the White Paper is expected to propose changes to local government structures, which council leaders have said they need to assess before moving forward with the name change.

Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, Richard Stanley, said: "We need to understand the government's plans before making a decision. If there are plans for local government reorganisation, it may not make sense to change the name now."

The council's new name was chosen to better reflect the geographical area of the borough and reduce confusion with Tewkesbury Town Council.

A soft launch of the new name had previously been expected to begin this month, with a new logo and name on the council's website.

Local businesses have supported the move, believing it will help raise the area's visibility on a regional and national scale, although some people questioned whether there would be "hidden costs" down the line.

The government was due to publish the White Paper document last month, with the aim of improving local services.

The council said it plans to review the situation once the White Paper is released and will launch the new name in March 2025 if there are "no significant changes" to their plans.

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