The differing requirements of northern and southern Warwickshire have convinced a government minister that the county requires two distinct unitary authorities rather than one combined body.
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed MP (Lab) explained his thinking in correspondence dispatched to all leaders and chief executives of Warwickshire councils this week, selecting a northern-southern split instead of a single county-wide administration.
Warwickshire currently operates a two-tier system for delivering its main council services, with Warwickshire County Council handling essential functions including education, social care and pupil transport, while the five districts and boroughs manage housing, planning and refuse collection.
In late 2024, ministers instructed all two-tier authorities to combine and establish unitary authorities, bringing all services under a single organisation, either within current or modified boundaries.
Warwickshire County Council argued that one county-wide authority would prove most efficient, providing cost savings and leveraging its proven capabilities in managing significant services. Yet four of the districts and boroughs advocated for a northern-southern split, asserting that enhanced local representation and decision-making would bolster community connections, and that the requirements of northern and southern Warwickshire vary substantially.
Mr Reed’s justification for selecting two authorities reflected these arguments, with the present Nuneaton & Bedworth, North Warwickshire and Rugby borough areas constituting the northern unitary, while Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon districts would combine to form the southern authority.
Although the county-wide proposal also met the criteria for unitary local government, overall he considered his selected option to be the better option for Warwickshire as it reflects the realities of the county’s different economies, identities and demographics, he stated.
The prospect of coordinated housing and planning strategies at a sensible geographic level in line with local priorities and needs alongside granting the county greater flexibility for future devolution were also cited.
Both sides acknowledged that a single new authority would have produced larger savings at a time when councils confront escalating financial strains.
Mr Reed continued that while he noted the greater economies of scale that may be available through the single unitary model, he considered that his selected option would be better placed to recognise and reflect the distinct identities, communities and geographies in Warwickshire.
The two-council option clearly set out the challenges and opportunities with the more industrial north experiencing greater deprivation when compared with the south, where connectivity and access to services is a particular concern.
He stressed that separate authorities would enable the northern area to address health disparities and lower healthy life expectancy, while the southern body could be shaped to tackle matters such as insufficient affordable housing and supporting independence for a growing older population in rural areas.
Beyond financial considerations, critics highlight the expenses and complications of dividing complex services such as social care.
Mr Reed responded that while he noted that the one unitary proposal would avoid the need for service disaggregation, he was persuaded that his selected option provides an opportunity to improve crucial public services through a place-focused and locally responsive approach.
He additionally indicated that transformation improvements in high-demand services could be realised through early intervention and prevention approaches.
Mr Reed’s correspondence also outlined that a unified implementation team, formed of council officers from across the area, would be created to supervise the transition to both new authorities.
Local elections planned for May 2027 will be held for positions on the newly created councils, with any district or borough ballots postponed. Councillors who would otherwise have faced re-election are anticipated to stay in their roles until the current councils are abolished at the end of March 2028.