Gloucestershire’s six district councils could be abolished and replaced by a single county-wide authority under plans backed by the Government.
Ministers have announced they are minded to approve the creation of one unitary council covering the whole of Gloucestershire, although a final decision has yet to be made.
If confirmed, elections to the new authority would be held in May 2028, paving the way for the biggest shake-up of local government in the county for decades.
Reacting to the announcement, Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester Liberal Democrats, said: “We have always believed Greater Gloucester offers a better solution for our city and we will continue to make that case while the Government considers its final decision.
“If ministers ultimately decide to proceed with a single Gloucestershire unitary, our focus will be on making the new council work for Gloucester and ensuring our city has the strongest possible voice.
“We intend to stand in every division across Gloucester and our ambition will be to win a majority of the city’s seats.
“We will fight for investment, listen to our communities and stand up for residents on the issues that matter to them, including the cost of living, roads, social care and the environment.
“If the Government chooses this model, it must also provide the funding needed to make it work rather than leaving local taxpayers and services to pick up the cost of reorganisation.
“Whatever the Government ultimately decides, our commitment to Gloucester is absolute and we will continue to stand up for our city.”
Councillor Jeremy Hilton said there were strong cultural, geographic, economic and historic reasons to keep Gloucester and the surrounding communities together
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said key housing and regeneration schemes were progressing in the city and needed time to be completed.
A petition has been launched against plans to rob Gloucester of its own council and replace it with a huge unitary authority.
Two thousand years of history should be protected if the Government pushes ahead with plans to reorganise local government in Gloucester, according to the Liberal Democrats.