Don't Let Cheltenham Lose Its Voice
The government’s plans for English Devolution will mean big changes for our local democracy. Max backs plans to remove power from Westminster and give it to regions and local areas. But there’s a risk that the government's new plans could rob Cheltenham of its historic voice.
Max says that devolution must mean more power for local areas, not less. But under plans proposed by the local Conservatives, Cheltenham Borough Council will be abolished and merged into a county-wide Unitary Authority, placing the local centre of power in Gloucester. Meanwhile, a new regional Mayor will be given new powers – but the Conservatives on the County Council don’t even have a formal proposal on which region we should join.
Don't Let Cheltenham Lose Its Voice
Max is fighting to ensure power is kept as close to Cheltenham as possible. He is pushing to create a new Cheltenham Town Council, so that Cheltenham retains its historic voice, with significant powers and funding to run local cultural and heritage assets. He’s opposing us becoming part of one countywide unitary Council too. If you back Max’s plan to stop Cheltenham’s voice being taken away, back his campaign here.