Cross-Boundary Motion Adopted by NALC:
Gloucestershire Leads the Way
We are delighted to share that the Gloucestershire Association of Parish and Town Councils (GAPTC) has successfully secured national support for its motion on cross-boundary governance. Presented by Councillor Chas Townley of Hucclecote Parish Council at the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Policy Committee on 16 October 2025, the motion was formally adopted and is now shaping NALC’s lobbying strategy during the passage of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
What’s the issue?
At present, legislative procedures do not adequately address the challenges faced by communities and councils that straddle the boundaries of two or more district councils or unitary authorities. These fragmented governance arrangements can complicate service delivery, hinder community cohesion, and make representation less effective—particularly as local government boundaries are reconsidered in light of potential unitary reform in Gloucestershire and beyond.
This issue becomes even more pressing when new unitary authorities are created without sufficient consideration of parish boundaries, risking a deepening of existing administrative divisions and further disconnection between governance and community identity.
What the motion calls for
The adopted motion—proposed by Hucclecote Parish Council and amended by Rudford and Highleadon Parish Council—asks NALC to:
Work with key national bodies such as the Local Government Association (LGA), the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE), and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to amend legislative procedures for neighbourhoods that span multiple district or unitary authority boundaries.
Encourage Government and the LGA to pay special attention to cross-border communities when establishing the boundaries of any newly created unitary authorities, to ensure boundaries unite rather than divide.
Secure rights for communities and local councils to petition for changes to parish and principal authority boundaries, subject to appropriate consultation with neighbouring councils and review by the LGBCE.
NALC has committed to lobby Government on this matter during the upcoming parliamentary process, recognising the need for clarity and fairness in cross-boundary governance arrangements as unitary discussions evolve.
Why it matters
This motion is not only relevant to Gloucestershire, where councils are actively engaged in Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) discussions, but also to communities across England where local boundaries no longer reflect modern settlement patterns or service catchments.
By advocating for a fair and responsive approach to boundary changes, this motion empowers local councils to seek arrangements that better serve their communities and strengthen local democracy.
What happens next?
GAPTC will continue to monitor and support NALC’s lobbying efforts as the Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill progresses. We also encourage our member councils to consider how boundary arrangements affect them—particularly those working in areas likely to see boundary changes as part of LGR.
If your council is affected by boundary anomalies or would like to be involved in shaping future proposals, please contact us directly at info@gaptc.org.uk