A public meeting has been arranged at which local politicians of all the main parties will explain and debate the implications of the proposed reorganisation of local government in Gloucestershire.
The meeting, at St Laurence Church, Stroud, from 7-9pm on March 14, will give residents the chance to find out more about the changes being imposed by the government.
Stroud District Council and the other five district councils in Gloucestershire, as well as Gloucestershire County Council, are set to be abolished and replaced with large ‘unitary’ authorities. Sitting above these unitary councils would be an even larger ’strategic authority’ headed by a Mayor serving around 1.5m people, over whom local communities may have little oversight or control.
The meeting has been organised by Stroud District Green Party, which felt residents deserved to know more about what the changes mean and to allow people to discuss the risks and opportunities for our local communities, services and democracy. There will be speakers from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green parties. Each speaker will present their own perspectives and opinions on the reorganisation, which was announced in the Government’s English Devolution White Paper in December.
Entry is free but is by ticket only; tickets are available from
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/strouddistrictgreenparty/1606316 or by emailing data@stroudgreens.org.uk
Meeting coordinator Martin Whiteside said: “There is little understanding among the public of the implications for local democracy of these changes. Many people say they are not even aware that their local councils are being abolished. And many of those who have heard about the changes are very concerned about what it all means. The Green Party believes it is important to let residents know what is happening and give them the chance to find out more, from politicians across the political spectrum.”
Members of the public will have the chance to submit questions at the meeting, which will have a Question Time-style format. Questions can be sent in advance to data@stroudgreens.org.uk.
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