So how did you get on with my little test about local council services in my last article? As you will see in a moment, you’d be forgiven for finding it a challenge. In Gloucestershire (unlike – say – Bristol) we have what’s called a ‘two-tier’ system, with a County Council for the whole county and beneath it, six District Councils, of which Cheltenham Borough Council is one. And this is what leads to the confusion.
Of the services listed in my test, the Borough Council is responsible for: collecting our rubbish (but not disposing of it); most planning responsibilities (but not all of them); off-street car-parking (but not on-street car parking); taxi licensing (but not bus services); parks and gardens; and housing services.
The County Council, on the other hand, has a much wider range of responsibilities, some of which, as you can see, overlap with those of the Borough. It’s responsible for Schools (but not skills or further education); the care of children and young people; adult care, public health, the police, the fire service, bus services (but not taxi licensing); roads and pavements (but not motorways); on-street car-parking (but not off-street car parking); footpaths and rights of way; rubbish disposal (but not rubbish collection). It also has some major planning responsibilities for big projects like M5 Junction 10.
I’m sure most local councillors and council officers are clear about who does what, but ordinary members of the public can be forgiven for getting it wrong. 2024 is the 50th anniversary of when the current system was put in place, so it’s not surprising that it’s creaking, and in need of change.
Labour has recognised that things must change. More responsibilities (and finance) are going to be devolved from central government to local councils, for things like bus franchising, skills and further education. And the planning system is going to be overhauled. But this will only happen where local councils are prepared to sink their differences and agree to set up the kind of single coordinated system they have in places like Manchester, under Andy Burnham as elected Mayor. We need to end the current confused council where confusion of roles is inefficient and often ineffective. Is Gloucestershire up for this? Will our local leaders seize the chance that is on offer? Don’t hold your breath!
The County Council elections next year could be our last chance in a generation to sort out local government in Gloucestershire. We in Labour are up for this challenge.
Mike Farmer, Secretary, Cheltenham Labour Party