Decision details

To enter into a Direct Award contract with Plexal for the purposes of advice and support on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and submission of a full Business Case at an estimated cost of £15,000.

Leaders from across all councils in Gloucestershire have agreed to work together to develop both the one Unitary Authority and two Unitary Authority proposals for LGR.

Plexal were appointed to assist with the interim business case proposal for two Unitary Authorities which was submitted in March 2025.

To ensure consistency in methodology and approach, Plexal will assist in developing the Vision and Ambition and public sector reform aspects of the LGR Business Cases.

The Council could consider using in-house resource but acknowledges that is a scarce commodity as we must continue ‘business as usual’ alongside LGR.

Plexal has been working with CBC for a number of years and are a highly trusted company, who understand the organisations needs and requirements.

An al-Member briefing was provided by the Chief Executive before Full Council on 21st February 2025 on Devolution and LGR and the interim Business Case was approved by Council in March 2025.