Local Government Reorganisation

North Warwickshire Borough Council reacts with fury to Government decision to 'pause' Local Government Reorganisation

North Warwickshire Borough Council's Leader has reacted with fury to the Government's announcement that the reorganisation of Councils in Warwickshire is to be 'paused' for an unspecified amount of time. 

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What is Local Government Reorganisation?

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is the process in which the structure and responsibilities of local authorities are reconfigured. The Government have set out plans to move away from the current two-tier system of district and county councils in England.  

Why is this reorganisation happening?

Many areas currently operate a two-tier system: 

• County councils provide services such as social care, highways and education. 

• District councils provide services such as planning, housing and waste collection. 

The Government believes this can lead to duplication, slower decision-making and public confusion about who does what. Reorganisation seeks to replace these arrangements with unitary authorities, where a single council delivers all local government services. 

What is a Unitary authority?

Unitary authorities are a single tier of local government responsible for all local services in that area.

Does the Council want Local Government Reorganisation?

No. The Borough Council would have preferred to keep District and Borough Councils.  However, the Government required councils across Warwickshire to submit proposals for Local Government Reorganisation. Maintaining the existing arrangement of borough, district and county councils was not an option that councils could put forward.  You can read the proposal by clicking on the link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-warwickshire/proposals-for-local-government-reorganisation-in-warwickshire

The Council invited residents to have their say as part of the consultation process and supported the proposal for two unitary councils rather than a single Warwickshire-wide authority, Warwickshire residents found that a majority of respondents (73%) favoured the creation of two unitary authorities rather than one. The option ultimately chosen by the Government aligns with the Council's preferred proposal. 

What will happen in Warwickshire?

On 16 July 2026, the Government confirmed plans to simplify local government in Warwickshire. From 1 April 2028, instead of separate county, district and borough councils, all local services will be provided by two new unitary authorities North Warwickshire Council and South Warwickshire Council: 

• North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Rugby will be North Warwickshire Council.  

• Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick will be South Warwickshire Council.   

• Warwickshire County Council services will be disaggregated between North Warwickshire and South Warwickshire Councils.   

Will Council services change now?

No, there will be no immediate change to council services. North Warwickshire Borough Council will continue to provide services as normal while preparations for local government reorganisation take place. Residents should continue to access services in the usual way. The current councils will remain responsible for delivering services until the new unitary councils are established on 1 April 2028. 

Will my Council Tax change?

It is too early to say what impact LGR would have on council tax. However, any proposals will need to consider the financial implications, including how services are funded and whether council tax would need to be harmonised across the different areas.  

What happens next?

The Government issues a Structural Changes Order (SCO) which is a legal order made by the Secretary of State that formally implements a local government reorganisation. 

In simple terms: 

1. Government decides that the structure of local councils in an area will change. 

2. Parliament gives the Secretary of State powers to make the necessary legal arrangements. 

3. A Structural Changes Order is issued to bring those changes into effect. 

What does a Structural Changes Order (SCO) do?

A SCO typically sets out: 

• Which councils will be abolished, 

• Which new councils will be created, 

• The geographical boundaries of the new authorities. 

• The date the new councils come into existence. 

• Transitional arrangements. 

• Electoral arrangements and the timing of elections. 

• The transfer of staff, assets, contracts and responsibilities. 

What is the timetable?

The Government has set a very ambitious timetable for local government reorganisation in Warwickshire; it’s the biggest change to local government in fifty years.   

The new North Warwickshire Council and South Warwickshire Council are expected to be established on 1 April 2028.  

Some key dates are listed below: 

Joint committee will start to meet in November 2026 and there will then be elections for the new shadow councils are expected to take place on Thursday 6 May 2027. The shadow councils will oversee preparations for the new authorities, including bringing together services, staff, systems, finances and governance arrangements ahead of vesting day.  

What is a shadow council?

A UK local government shadow council is a temporary council-in-waiting elected 11 months before a new unitary authority officially launches on vesting day. 

Its members prepare the administrative, financial, and governance blueprint for the future council while existing predecessor councils continue running everyday public services. 

What can’t a Shadow Authority do?

They can’t make any decisions or deliver day-to-day services for the Borough Council. 

It has no operational responsibility or power over routine local services which remain strictly with the borough councils until vesting day.  

Residents should continue to contact the borough council services and their existing councillors until vesting day.

When will the Shadow Authority election take place? 

The election for the Shadow Authority is expected to take place on Thursday 6 May 2027. Councillors elected will initially serve on the shadow council and will oversee the transition to the new unitary authority, which is expected to come into operation on 1 April 2028.   

The next elections for the new unitary council will take in 2032, meaning that councillors will serve for 5 years initially and 4 years thereafter.   

Can current councillors stand for Election to the new Shadow Authorities?  

Yes. Elections to the shadow authorities will be open elections, and current county, district and borough councillors will be eligible to stand, subject to the normal election rules. It is therefore likely that some existing councillors will be elected to serve on the shadow authorities. 

Will borough councillor elections take place in North Warwickshire in May 2027?

No. Borough council elections are not expected to take place in May 2027. Existing borough councillors will serve for an additional year while local government reorganisation is implemented.  

How will this impact Town and Parish Councils? 

The White Paper sets out that the Government wants to see stronger community arrangements when reorganisation happens in the way councils engage at a neighbourhood or area level. The Government has stated it will also rewire the relationship between town and parish councils and principal local authorities, strengthening expectations on engagement and community voice. Elections for all Parish and Town Council seats are held every four years. The next scheduled elections will be on Thursday 6 May 2027. 

How many councillors will there be for the North Warwickshire Council and South Warwickshire Council? 

• North Warwickshire Council: 61 councillors, and   

• South Warwickshire Council: 56 councillors. 

What is Devolution?

The English Devolution White Paper is the Government’s statement of their plans to devolve power from Westminster to: 

• Combined Authorities, 

• Mayors (for example Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire), or 

• Local councils. 

The Government position is clear that devolution is a key part of their ambition to build an economy that works for everyone. They see the White Paper as a route to a completely new way of governing – a generational project. 

North Warwickshire Borough Council remains independent of any combined authority, but early-stage discussions are now underway to explore future options and will focus on whether Warwickshire should: 

• Join an existing strategic authority; 

• Form part of a new mayoral strategic authority; or 

• Pursue another Government-approved devolution model. 

Click to view the English Devolution White Paper. 

How can I keep up to date?

A dedicated Future Warwickshire website will be launching soon, bringing together the latest information, news and updates as the programme progresses.  

You can stay informed by signing up for updates.

A Structural Changes Order (SCO) can be changed up until it is made, and in some circumstances after it is made through further legislation. Therefore, the information provided in this document is correct as of 19 August 2026.