73% of Warwickshire residents prefer two unitary councils over one. Over 2,300 shared views to shape local government reorganisation, set to take effect from April 2028.
Following a joint engagement exercise asking residents across Warwickshire to share their views on the biggest shake-up of local government since the 1970s, 73% of residents expressed their preference for two unitary Councils compared with just 22% for one large Council covering all of Warwickshire.
Between 7 August and 14 September 2025, over 2,300 people provided feedback that will help to inform how councils are structured and residents access services from April 2028, when the Government’s requirement for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) takes effect.
Under Government plans for Local Government Reorganisation, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Stratford-On-Avon District Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Warwick District Council, and Warwickshire County Council will be abolished on 1 April 2028. They will be replaced by either one single unitary council for Warwickshire or two unitary councils – one for the North and one for the South – with each authority responsible for all services for its part of the county.
The Leaders of North Warwickshire Borough Council, Warwick District Council, Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council and Stratford-On-Avon District Council said: “We would like to thank everyone across Warwickshire who took the time to comment as part of the recent Local Government Reorganisation engagement exercise.
"It's the biggest shake-up of local government in a generation, and therefore it is important that we involve all our residents in the redesign of how services will be provided as part of a new arrangement of councils in Warwickshire.”
A final detailed report will be published towards the end of October, which will also provide feedback from focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders.
Survey feedback, analysis and other relevant information will be considered before the councils formally submit their final reorganisation proposals to the Government by 28 November 2025. Following this, the Government will consult on the proposed plans before making a final decision in 2026. If approved, the new unitary authorities are expected to be in place by 2028.