There has been an “appalling lack of transparency” from Forest Council chiefs over plans to reorganise local government, it has been claimed.

Opposition councillors were “astounded” to find out the council’s leadership had written to the government saying they favour joining the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) without consulting them.

But the leader of the council’s Green administration says the county’s submission on reorganisation supported joining WECA and the information had been available “for months”

Former council leader Tim Gwilliam (Progressive Independents, Berry Hill) said: “I’m amazed that leaders can make such a massive difference without consultation at least in the form of a formal Cabinet.”

“I’m astounded. There’s been an awful lot of LGR email traffic since the Forest of Dean scrutiny committee decided to use the pause to look into alternatives for devolution.”

The council’s chairman Di Martin (Lab, Cinderford East) said the announcement “came as a considerable shock.”

She said: “No-one knew,” she said. “I was at a meeting where I found out last week and there were Green members who didn’t know.

“The lack of communication and transparency is appalling.

“I was shocked the ‘council’ had voiced a view as I am chairman of the council and I didn’t know.

“The council didn’t support any option.”

Labour MP Matt Bishop said: “I am concerned by reports that significant positions on the future of devolution in Gloucestershire are being taken without proper consultation with councillors, communities and other elected representatives across the county,” he said.

“This is much bigger than any one council or political party. Decisions about the future governance of Gloucestershire will affect our communities for generations and must not be made behind closed doors by a small number of people.

“All credible options should be properly considered, openly discussed and subject to meaningful consultation, with the interests and identity of the Forest of Dean protected throughout.”

Council leader Adrian Birch (Green, Tidenham) said:“This council has continued to work constructively with our local government partners across Gloucestershire for the benefit of our district.

“The Gloucestershire LGR submission also supported joining the West of England Combined Authority (WECA). Information on these proposals has been publicly available for several months, in addition to which multiple councillor briefings providing further explanation have been held.

“The recent letter to the minister sent on behalf of the majority of Gloucestershire councils after which it was decided that we should reaffirm our desire to initially establish a Gloucestershire Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA) with the longer-term objective of joining WECA.

“I believe that establishing an FSA is the best opportunity we have of accessing public funds which have been distributed to strategic authorities and denied to district and county councils. “This position is not new and is in line with our previous joint submission to the Government in March of this year.

“I remain committed to working with all members of this council in the interests of the Forest of Dean and note that the decisions on LGR and devolution rest with MHCLG.”