Councils in Warwickshire today formally submitted their proposal to Government for the creation of two new unitary councils for the county.
The two-unitary proposal is supported by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, North Warwickshire Borough Council, Stratford-on-Avon District and Warwick District Councils. The proposal has strong public support and is backed cross-party by five of Warwickshire’s six Members of Parliament.
The submission follows the Government’s invitation to bring forward options for Local Government Reorganisation. Extensive analysis and engagement with residents, partners and local organisations has led the councils to conclude that a two unitary model best reflects the diverse identities, priorities and economies across Warwickshire. An independent survey carried out by ORS found that 73% of residents support the creation of two unitary councils rather than just one new council.
Under the proposal, the new councils would be:
North Warwickshire Unitary
North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Rugby Borough Council
South Warwickshire Unitary
Stratford District Council and Warwick District Council
The two-unitary proposal provides a balanced, future facing model that is simple, strong and sustainable. It recognises that the north and the south are very distinct places with different priorities. The new councils would have the scale to be financially resilient and the focus to deliver better services, stronger governance and improved outcomes.
The proposal sets out how the two unitary Councils would strengthen local identity and democratic accountability, remain close to communities and enable more responsive public services. It also highlights clear alignment with existing public service footprints, including NHS partnerships and policing, which already operate on a north and south split.
Both new authorities would continue to work closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority. Warwickshire councils already collaborate with the Combined Authority on transport, regeneration and economic development, and the Mayor has recognised the benefits of a model that reflects the county’s two distinct areas.
Commenting on the decisions, Councillor David Wright, Leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council said:
“Our councils have worked constructively and collaboratively to identify the option that delivers the best outcomes for our communities. The two unitary model respects the real differences between north and south Warwickshire while ensuring both areas have the scale, resilience and strategic capacity to deliver excellent services. It is the right model for the future, and we are pleased to submit it to Government with strong public, political and parliamentary support.”
“North Warwickshire Borough Council has very carefully considered which option is the best for the residents of the Borough. It did not have a preconceived conclusion in mind during this consideration but as the process continued it became increasingly clear that one mega Council covering all of Warwickshire would be the worst option.
The differences between the North and South of the County are well known, have existing for a long time and have been largely unaffected by the existence of one Council that covers the whole of the County.
Not only should those two different areas have a Council each, for democratic reasons and to keep as far as possible the ‘local’ in Local Government, our analysis shows that this solution would provide better services, better outcomes for our residents and real and achievable public sector savings, rather than theoretical efficiencies which very large organisations very rarely achieve.
If we are to have this change, then we should give ourselves the best chance of real transformation of our services rather than having one very large Council for all of Warwickshire which would be seen as ‘business as usual’.”
Government will now consider the submission as part of the national programme for local government reform.
Background
• MPs publicly supporting the proposal are: Rachel Taylor, MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth; Jodie Gosling, MP for Nuneaton; Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington; Manuela Perteghella, MP for Stratford-on-Avon and Sir Jeremy Wright, MP for Kenilworth and Southam.
• The submission document and other material can be found at Our Submission Document - Shaping the future of our Councils