Plans to scrap Warwickshire councils put to government

The case to scrap local councils in favour of one to serve the whole of Warwickshire has been made to the goverment.

after an extraordinary cabinet meeting, Warwickshire County Council has confirmed it has submitted its ‘Strategic Case for Change’ to the government in a bid to secure early powers and funding.

This case includes scrapping all local councils and having one unitary authority to deal with all council functions.

It is no secret that this is not popular among the district and borough councils and they are likely to submit their own case to the government, which includes potentially having two authorities - one for the north and one for the south.

as well as being steadfast in their opposition into the county council proposals, the district councils have also demanded that residents are given the chance to have their say.

Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council urged Shire hall to hold a referendum or citizens panel.

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, leader at Warwickshire County Council, said in a statement that the council is clear on the need for conversations with local residents and all key stakeholders.

She said there will be a residents’ panel set-up to shape and inform proposed changes, and the borough and district councils will be asked to help form this.

But further information about how residents can get involved in the panel has yet to be made available.

“We recognise the significance of the issues involved and the various views held and want to initiate conversations about the best possible model for Warwickshire’s future,” she said.

“Most people agree that we need a simpler structure to improve service delivery, value for money and provide every resident and business with the best possible opportunities in life.”

Cllr Seccombe continued: “The time for change is now if we want Warwickshire to be in the best possible position to secure additional powers, resources and investment into the county through the

Warwickshire County Council forthcoming Devolution and Recovery White Paper. Our strategic case for change outlines how Warwickshire can deliver better value services to our most vulnerable residents, and help play our part in the region’s growth-led recovery post Covid-19.”

The statement goes on: “We remain strongly committed to working with Warwickshire’s district and borough councils on this important issue.

“This meeting and our submission were not about deciding structures now, it was about beginning a process. The reports published by the county council and district and borough councils both endorse the view that the current model of local government is not sustainable and we will engage widely across Warwickshire.

“The interests of Warwickshire residents need all councils in Warwickshire to work together, and I have asked them to do so. We must ensure we remain ‘One Warwickshire’.”

as previously reported, the government has asked all councils across the country to look at potential reform ahead of a White Paper on local Government Reform and Devolution being published.

Shire hall’s preferred option is to see councils such as Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford-onavon District Council and Warwick District Council abolished. In their place would be one single authority with responsibility for everything from education to bins.