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Forest of Dean District

Forest of Dean is a local government district in west Gloucestershire, England, named after the Forest of Dean. Its council is based in Coleford. Other towns and villages in the district include Blakeney, Cinderford, Drybrook, English Bicknor, Huntley, Littledean, Longhope, Lydbrook, Lydney, Mitcheldean, Newnham and Newent.

History

The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. The new district covered the whole area of four former districts and part of a fifth, which were all abolished at the same time:

East Dean Rural District
Gloucester Rural District (parishes of Newnham and Westbury-on-Severn only)
Lydney Rural District
Newent Rural District
West Dean Rural District

The new district was named Forest of Dean after the ancient woodland which covers much of the district.

Governance

Forest of Dean District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Gloucestershire County Council. The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.

Political control

Since the 2023 election the council has been run by a Green minority administration with support from Labour on a confidence and supply basis.

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements came into effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 2007 have been:

Composition

Following the 2023 election, the composition of the council was:

The next election is due in 2027.

Premises

The council is based at the Council Offices on High Street in Coleford.

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2019, the council has comprised 38 councillors elected from 21 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.