Esme Ashcroft

Scheduled May 2027 elections for Forest of Dean and Cotswold district councils and Tewkesbury Borough Council have been cancelled because Gloucestershire’s seven existing local authorities are being replaced by a single unitary council. Residents will instead elect a shadow authority to prepare Gloucestershire Council, which is due to begin operating in April 2028 and take over services including waste collection, roads, planning and social care. Existing councillors’ terms will be extended by one year before the current councils are abolished.

Cheltenham Borough Council is set to examine whether SUVs should incur an additional levy in council-run car parks. Green Party group leader Jan Foster supports the idea, arguing that larger vehicles occupy more space, contribute to pollution and road damage, and pose greater risks to other road users. The Alliance of British Drivers opposes the proposal, calling it virtue signalling and arguing that vehicle choice is a personal matter and higher charges could deter visitors and damage the local economy. The council’s scrutiny committee will determine the review’s scope and timetable.

An 18-year-old care leaver from Stonehouse credits his foster family with helping him overcome anger issues and trauma, avoiding addiction or prison, and finding stability. His experience highlights Gloucestershire’s declining number of foster families, prompting the county council to seek new carers with financial and social support. Fosterplus staff and council officials emphasize the importance of love, stability and adequate support to retain foster parents and provide children with secure family environments.

Cheltenham Music Festival returns with a focus on presenting classical music in unconventional and accessible ways, aiming to attract wider and younger audiences. Artistic director Jack Bazalgette highlights efforts to break traditional expectations through varied venues, relaxed concerts, and genre-blending performances. The programme includes memory-based performance by the Aurora Orchestra and a set by Senegalese artist Dudù Kouate. The festival also continues its outreach work in schools, with tickets available through Cheltenham Festivals.