Ex-leader's attack on 'dishonest' council survey

The former leader of Gloucestershire County Council says a survey on the future of local government is "cowardly" and "dishonest".

Conservative councillor for Hardwicke and Severn Stephen Davies has written an open letter to Liberal Democrat leader Lisa Spivey asking for the consultation to be withdrawn.

Last week the council launched a public campaign asking for feedback on Gloucestershire's move to abolish its seven current authorities.

In an email seen by the BBC, Ms Spivey said she was "disappointed" but "not surprised" by the contents of the letter and accompanying email and its "tone".

The government has told Gloucestershire it needs to get rid of the county council and six district councils and replace them with one or two "super councils" to deliver all local services.

There are three options on the table – to create one large authority which would cover the whole county, split Gloucestershire down the middle to form two east and west councils and finally to make one council around Gloucester and another which takes in the rest of the county.

Mr Davies said the consultation treats the electorate as "stupid" because it fails to ask people which of the three options they prefer – instead it requires contributors to reflect on what elements of council services and the local area they feel are important.

The former council leader, who lost the role after May's elections, also described the survey as a "waste of public money" and not tackling the "exam question".

"They don't want to hear the answer," he said.

"They know the answer will be overwhelmingly one [council for] Gloucestershire, but it suits the Liberal Democrats to split the county in two."

In response to the letter, Ms Spivey said the results of the government-funded survey will be used to shape business cases for the three options and a further consultation directly addressing the choices will take place after November.

In her email response to Mr Davies the leader said the consultation was agreed upon by all seven authority heads and claimed the accusations of cowardice and dishonesty affect each of them "equally".

"It is a shame that you have chosen to approach this matter in this way," she wrote.

"I will be continuing to work with my fellow council leaders to shape a positive future for Gloucestershire.

"I hope that you and the members of your group will be part of that positive journey and striving for the residents you represent."

The survey closes on 9 August.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.