CHELTENHAM Borough Council's chief executive has whipped up

a political storm after saying most of Gloucestershire's

councils should be axed.

Andrew North believes the county would be better served by

two unitary authorities – serving the east and west – as

opposed to the two-tier system.

He says a public debate should be held on the way

Gloucestershire is governed.

There are six district councils – Cheltenham, Cotswold,

Tewkesbury Borough, Gloucester, Stroud and Forest of Dean – and

Gloucestershire County Council.

Mr North said many people were confused as to which

authority did what, and simplifying the roles would save money

and be more efficient.

He believes the county should be divided by the M5 and

governed by two unitary authorities based in Gloucester and

Cheltenham.

He added: "A new system would make savings which could be

spent on delivering services, or reducing taxes."

But Gloucestershire County Council has reacted angrily.

Leader Coun Barry Dare said there would be substantial costs

involved and services would be duplicated.

"I'm not surprised a bureaucrat like Andrew North should be

arguing for more jobs for government officers," he said.

"I'm surprised he's so openly saying Cheltenham Borough

Council, and by extension the Lib Dems who run it, waste so

much money."

Cotswold District Council's leader Lynden Stowe said: "At

Cotswold, we are working closely with the other districts and

the county to enhance the two-tier system."

Gloucester City Council leader Paul James said: "It would be

a huge distraction from everything else we're trying to

achieve, in particular delivering the regeneration programme

for Gloucester."

Tewkesbury Borough Council declined to comment.