THE Forest of Dean District Council could be scrapped in favour of a unitary authority for the whole county.

An all-party county council task group will speak to local communities and businesses about the possibility of abolishing district councils, after a plan to discuss how local government is organised was approved last week.

Cinderford county councillor Graham Morgan, said: "I support this motion because it's about time we looked at it. It's nothing to do with politics it's basic common sense.

"When you speak to people, they couldn't care less about these tiers of councils as long as they get their services delivered by an effective council.

"In the Forest of Dean we're pushing toward £1.5 million worth of debt in a couple of years' time.

"I don't know what's going to happen with that council.

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