Borough of Tewkesbury

{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{Use British English|date=July 2012}} {{Infobox settlement  | timezone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] | utc_offset = 0 | timezone_DST = [[British Summer Time|BST]] | utc_offset_DST = +1

| official_name = Tewkesbury Borough | image_skyline = Tewkesbury Abbey 2011.jpg | imagesize = 280px | image_alt = | image_caption = [[Tewkesbury Abbey]] in the town of [[Tewkesbury]] which the district is named after and governed from | image_shield = | shield_size = | shield_alt = | shield_link = | image_map = Tewkesbury UK locator map.svg | mapsize = 150px | map_alt = | map_caption = Tewkesbury shown within Gloucestershire | subdivision_name2 = [[South West England]] | subdivision_name3 = [[Gloucestershire]] | subdivision_name5 = [[Tewkesbury]] | established_date1 = 1 April 1974 | governing_body = Tewkesbury Borough Council | leader_name1 = [[Matt Bishop (politician)|Matt Bishop]] [[Cameron Thomas (politician)|Cameron Thomas]] | area_total_km2 = 414.4 | area_rank = {{English district area rank|GSS=E07000083}} [[List of English districts by area|(of {{English district total}})]] | population_total = {{English district population|GSS=E07000083}} | population_as_of = {{English statistics year}} | population_rank = {{English district rank|GSS=E07000083}} [[List of English districts by population|(of {{English district total}})]] | demographics_type1 = Ethnicity ([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]]) | demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000083|title=Tewkesbury Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref> | demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]] | demographics1_info1 = {{Collapsible list | 95.1% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]] | 2% [[British Asians|Asian]] | 1.8% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]] | 0.6% [[Black British people|Black]] | 0.5% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]] }} | demographics_type2 = Religion (2021) | demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/> | demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]] | demographics2_info1 = {{Collapsible list | 51% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]] | 40.8% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]] | 7.7% [[Religion in England|other]] | 0.5% [[Islam in England|Islam]] }} | blank1_info = 23UG (ONS) E07000083 (GSS) | blank2_info = {{gbmappingsmall|SO8855933566}} }}

The '''Borough of Tewkesbury''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] with [[borough status in the United Kingdom|borough status]] in [[Gloucestershire]], England. The borough is named after its largest town, [[Tewkesbury]] where the council is based. The district also includes the town of [[Winchcombe]] and numerous villages including [[Bishops Cleeve]], [[Ashchurch]], [[Churchdown]], [[Innsworth]] and [[Brockworth]] as well as other hamlets and surrounding rural areas. Parts of the district lie within the [[Cotswolds]] [[Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty]].

The neighbouring districts are [[Cotswold District|Cotswold]], [[Cheltenham]], [[Stroud District|Stroud]], [[Gloucester]], [[Forest of Dean District|Forest of Dean]], [[Malvern Hills District|Malvern Hills]] and [[Wychavon]].

==History== Prior to 1974 the borough of Tewkesbury only covered the town itself. The town was an [[ancient borough]], having been granted a charter of incorporation by [[Elizabeth I]] in 1575.<ref>{{cite web |title=The borough of Tewkesbury: Introduction Pages 110-118 A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 8. |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/glos/vol8/pp110-118 |via=British History Online |publisher=Victoria County History |access-date=24 August 2020 |archive-date=5 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605113525/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/glos/vol8/pp110-118 |url-status=live }}</ref> The town was reformed in 1836 to become a [[municipal borough]] under the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]], governed by a body formally called the "mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Tewkesbury", but generally known as the corporation or town council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tewkesbury Municipal Borough |url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10095037 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=28 August 2023}}</ref>

The modern district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], and covered the whole area of [[Tewkesbury]] [[Municipal Borough]] and [[Cheltenham Rural District]] plus part of [[Gloucester Rural District]]; all three of which were abolished.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

The new district was named Tewkesbury after its main town.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> The new district was awarded borough status from its creation, allowing the council to take the name Tewkesbury Borough Council and letting the chair of the council take the title of mayor.<ref>{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs, 28 March 1974 |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1974-03-28/debates/16e5331e-2e6e-4bc7-a7bf-eaa328491acd/DistrictCouncilsAndBoroughs |website=Hansard |access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref> A [[successor parish]] was created at the same time covering the area of the former municipal borough of Tewkesbury, with the parish council taking the name [[Tewkesbury Town Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tewkesbury Town Council |url=https://tewkesburytowncouncil.gov.uk/ |publisher=Tewkesbury Town Council |access-date=24 August 2020 |archive-date=30 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190130190907/https://tewkesburytowncouncil.gov.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1991, the parishes of [[Leckhampton with Warden Hill|Leckhampton]], [[Prestbury, Gloucestershire|Prestbury]], [[Swindon Village|Swindon]] and [[Up Hatherley]] were transferred to the neighbouring borough of [[Cheltenham (borough)|Cheltenham]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Gloucestershire (District Boundaries) Order 1991|year=1991|number=281|access-date=27 August 2023}}</ref>

=== Change of name === In 2024, the council consulted its residents on whether the borough's name should be changed to "North Gloucestershire".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garcia |first1=Carmelo |title=Public to be consulted on Tewkesbury Borough Council name change |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0v0n3re41o |website=BBC News |access-date=18 May 2024 |date=17 May 2024}}</ref> The council voted to make the change at a meeting on 3 September 2024. The new name was to be brought into use from December 2024,<ref>{{cite web |title=Tewkesbury Borough Council votes to become North Gloucestershire Borough Council |url=https://tewkesbury.gov.uk/tewkesbury-borough-council-votes-to-become-north-gloucestershire-borough-council/ |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |access-date=5 October 2024}}</ref> but was delayed because of the potential implications for local government arising from a [[White paper|White Paper]] to be issued on devolution for England.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Alice |date=2024-12-13 |title=Tewkesbury Borough Council delays name change |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62wz57qe4lo |access-date=2024-12-15 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 29 January 2025, the council had decided to scrap the proposed name change, owing to the aforementioned proposals on devolution, which would see the council merge with other Gloucestershire authorities, in a form yet to be agreed. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-29 |title=Tewkesbury Borough Council votes to retain current name |url=https://tewkesbury.gov.uk/tewkesbury-borough-council-votes-to-retain-current-name/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Governance== {{Infobox legislature | name = Tewkesbury Borough Council | native_name = | transcription_name = | legislature = | coa_pic = Tewkesbury Borough Council.svg | coa_res = 100px | coa-pic = | coa-res = | house_type = Non-metropolitan district | body = | houses = | leader1_type = [[Mayors in England|Mayor]] | leader1 = Kashan Pervaiz | party1 = [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] | election1 = 13 May 2025<ref>{{cite news |last1=Briggs |first1=Richard |title=Cllr Kashan Pervaiz is new Mayor of Tewkesbury Borough |url=https://cheltenhampost.co.uk/kashan-pervaiz-is-mayor-of-tewkesbury-borough/ |access-date=6 June 2025 |work=Cheltenham Post |date=16 May 2025}}</ref> | leader2_type = [[Leader of the council|Leader]] | leader2 = Richard Stanley | party2 = [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] | election2 = 13 May 2023 | leader3_type = [[Chief Executive]] | leader3 = Alistair Cunningham | party3 =  | election3 = 13 June 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=Tewkesbury Borough Council welcomes new chief executive |url=https://tewkesbury.gov.uk/newchiefexecutive/ |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |date=17 June 2022 |access-date=28 August 2023}}</ref> | members = 38 councillors | house1 = | house2 = | structure1 = File:Tewkesbury Borough Council 2023.svg | structure1_res = 200px | political_groups1 = :{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] (16)}} :{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (9) :{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (7)}} :{{Color box|{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}|border=darkgray}} [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] (4) :{{Color box|{{party color|Tewkesbury and Twyning Independents}}|border=darkgray}} TTI (2) | voting_system1 = [[Plurality voting system|First past the post]] | last_election1 = [[2023 Tewkesbury Borough Council election|4 May 2023]] | next_election2 = 6 May 2027 | session_room = Tewkesbury Borough Council - geograph.org.uk - 988327.jpg | session_res = | meeting_place = Council Offices, Gloucester Road, Tewkesbury, GL20{{nbsp}}5TT | website = {{URL|www.tewkesbury.gov.uk}} | footnotes = }}

Tewkesbury Borough Council provides [[Non-metropolitan district|district-level]] services. [[Non-metropolitan county|County-level]] services are provided by [[Gloucestershire County Council]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> The whole district is also covered by [[civil parish]]es, which form a third tier of local government.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref>

===Political control=== The council has been under [[no overall control]] since the [[2023 Tewkesbury Borough Council election|2023 election]], with leadership roles shared between the Liberal Democrats, Greens and independent councillors.

The first election to the modern council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=26 November 2024 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Tewkesbury" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Rallings |first1=Colin |last2=Thrasher |first2=Michael |title=Tewkesbury Borough Council Election Results 1973–2011 |date=2015 |publisher=The Elections Centre, Plymouth University |url=http://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Tewkesbury-1973-2011.pdf |access-date=28 June 2022}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |- !colspan="2"|Party in control!!Years |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1974–1976 |- | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || 1976–1987 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1987–1991 |- | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || 1991–1995 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1995–2011 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2011–2023 |- |{{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2023–present |}

===Leadership=== The role of mayor is largely ceremonial. Political leadership is provided instead by the [[leader of the council]]. The leaders since 2007 have been:

{| class=wikitable ! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To |- | Robert Vines<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jenkins |first1=Robert |title=First new leader for ten years appointed by Tewkesbury Borough Council |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/first-new-leader-ten-years-64632 |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=Gloucestershire Live |date=17 May 2017}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2007 || align=right|16 May 2017 |- | Dave Waters<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 16 May 2017 |url=https://minutes.tewkesbury.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=256&MId=2394 |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|16 May 2017 || align=right|May 2018 |- | Rob Bird<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 15 May 2018 |url=https://minutes.tewkesbury.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=256&MId=2448 |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Morgan |first1=William |title=Tewkesbury Borough Council leader and Tories out after Lib Dem and Green surge |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/tewkesbury-borough-council-leader-tories-8414846 |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=Gloucestershire Live |date=5 May 2023}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|15 May 2018 || align=right|May 2023 |- | Richard Stanley<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 17 May 2023 |url=https://minutes.tewkesbury.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=256&MId=4215 |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |access-date=9 December 2024}}</ref> || {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=right|17 May 2023 || align=right| |}

===Composition=== Following the [[2023 Tewkesbury Borough Council election|2023 election]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2023/may/04/elections-2023-results-live-local-council-england#le-full-results|title=Local elections 2023: live council results for England|work=The Guardian}}</ref> and subsequent by-elections up to May 2025, the composition of the council was:<ref name=Thorncliffe/>

{| class="wikitable" ! colspan=2| Party ! Councillors |- | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|16 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=center|9 |- | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} || align=center|7 |- | {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|4 |- | {{Party name with colour|Tewkesbury and Twyning Independents|full=yes}} || align=center|2 |- ! colspan=2|Total !! align=center|38 |} Of the independent councillors, two sit together as the "Isbourne and Winchcombe Independents", and the other five sit with local party the Tewkesbury and Twyning Independents as a group called "The Independents".<ref name=Thorncliffe>{{cite web |title=Your councillors by party |url=https://minutes.tewkesbury.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=PARTY&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |access-date=28 August 2023}}</ref> The next election is due in 2027.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tewkesbury |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=tewkesbury |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=6 June 2025}}</ref>

===Premises=== The council is based at the Council Offices on Gloucester Road in Tewkesbury. The building was purpose-built for the council, being completed in 1976.<ref>{{cite news |title=Council unveils its new HQ |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=26 August 2023 |work=Western Daily Press |date=16 September 1976 |location=Bristol |page=14}}</ref>

==Towns and parishes== {{further|List of civil parishes in Gloucestershire}} The whole district is covered by civil parishes. The parish councils for Tewkesbury and Winchcombe take the style "town council". Some of the smaller parishes have a [[parish meeting]] rather than a parish council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Parish councils contact information |url=https://minutes.tewkesbury.gov.uk/mgParishCouncilDetailsList.aspx |website=Tewkesbury Borough Council |access-date=29 August 2023}}</ref>

==Transport== [[Gloucestershire Airport]] is in the borough, near to Gloucester and Cheltenham. The borough is also served by [[Ashchurch for Tewkesbury railway station]] on the mainline. Heritage railway the [[Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway]] also has a number of stations in the borough.

==Media== ===Television=== The area is served by [[BBC West Midlands]] and [[ITV Central]] with television signals received from either the [[Ridge Hill transmitting station|Ridge Hill]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Ridge_Hill|title=Full Freeview on the Ridge Hill (County of Herefordshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=13 July 2024}}</ref> or [[Sutton Coldfield transmitting station|Sutton Coldfield]] TV transmitters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Sutton_Coldfield|title=Sutton Coldfield (Birmingham, England) Full Freeview transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate= 13 July 2024}}</ref> However, [[BBC West]] and [[ITV West Country]] are also received through cable and satellite television such as [[Freesat]] and [[Sky UK|Sky]].

===Radio=== Radio stations for the area are: *[[BBC Radio Gloucestershire]] *[[Heart West]] *[[Greatest Hits Radio South West]] *[[Gloucester FM]] *[[Radio Winchcombe]] (serving [[Winchcombe]])

===Newspapers=== The area is served by these local newspapers:<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/2101604/gloucestershire-newspapers-october-2020.pdf | title=A guide to national & local newspapers and their whereabouts | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513010715/https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/media/2101604/gloucestershire-newspapers-october-2020.pdf | archive-date=2022-05-13}}</ref> * [[Gloucestershire Echo]] * Evesham Journal.

==Elections== {{see also|Tewkesbury Borough Council elections}} Since the last full review of boundaries in 2019 the council has comprised 38 [[councillor]]s representing 20 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]], with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Tewkesbury (Electoral Changes) Order 2018|year=2018|number=37|access-date=29 August 2023}}</ref>

As of May 2023, the councillors were:<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Councillors by Ward |url=https://minutes.tewkesbury.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=WARD&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |access-date=9 May 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |- !! scope="col" style="width: 300px;" | Ward !! scope="col" style="width: 190px;" | Councillor !! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" colspan=2 | Party |- |'''Badgeworth''' |Robert Vines | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Brockworth East''' |Charlotte Mills | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} |- |Jason Mills | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Brockworth West''' |Craig Carter | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} |- |Deborah Harwood | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} |- |rowspan=3| '''Churchdown Brookfield with Hucclecote''' |Paul Smith | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Richard Smith | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Ian Yates | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |rowspan=3| '''Churchdown St John's''' |Stewart Dove | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Mary Jordan | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Liz Skelt | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |'''Cleeve Grange''' |Thomas Budge | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Cleeve Hill''' |Nigel Adcock | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Cheryl Agg | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Cleeve St Michael's''' |Alex Hegenbarth | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Kashan Pervaiz | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Cleeve West''' |Richard Stanley | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Murray Stewart | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2|'''Highnam with Haw Bridge''' |Paul McLain | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |Jill Smith | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2|'''Innsworth''' |Sarah Hands | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |Paul Ockelton | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2|'''Isbourne''' |Christopher Coleman | {{Party name with colour|Independent}} |- |Mel Gore | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Northway''' |Pauline Godwin | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |Elaine MacTiernam | {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}} |- |'''Severn Vale North''' |Heather McLain | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |'''Severn Vale South''' |Mark Williams | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |'''Shurdington''' |George Porter | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} |- |rowspan=2|'''Tewkesbury East''' |Hilarie Bowman | {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} |- |Helena Sundarajoo | {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Tewkesbury North and Twyning''' |Mike Sztymiak | {{Party name with colour|Tewkesbury and Twyning Independents|full=yes}} |- |Philip Workman | {{Party name with colour|Tewkesbury and Twyning Independents|full=yes}} |- |rowspan=2| '''Tewkesbury South''' |Matt Dimond-Brown | {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} |- |Cate Cody | {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} |- |rowspan=3| '''Winchcombe''' |David Gray | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |- |Gemma Madle | {{Party name with colour|Independent}} |- |Jim Mason | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.tewkesbury.gov.uk/home Tewkesbury Borough Council]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tewkesbury, Borough of}} [[Category:Borough of Tewkesbury| ]] [[Category:Non-metropolitan districts of Gloucestershire]] [[Category:Boroughs in England]]