Local Government Reorganisation U-TURN

The Labour government has today announced that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is paused. Plans to create two unitary authorities in Warwickshire are to be reviewed. 

This is despite the government's announcement made in July this year, after earlier public consultation, to create a North Warwickshire Council and a South Warwickshire Council, which would have meant the end of the county's District, Borough and County councils with effect from April 2028.

Today's announcement means that the Shadow Authority elections planned  for May 2027 will NOT now go ahead. Instead there will be District and Borough Council elections in May 2027, as well as Town and Parish council elections.

Residents, community groups and businesses - as well as Council staff and councillors - have already spent a huge amount of time, money and energy preparing for the impact of LGR. So today's announcement is hugely frustrating and creates lots of uncertainty. This apparent failure of process further undermines trust.

This frustrating pause is compounded by the refusal of the government to publish in any form the legal advice that it has received to justify its decision, as well as its refusal to publish a timetable by which it will complete its review of the LGR plans. The government has also said nothing today about plans for changes in police governance.  

Above all else, the consequences of this chaotic pause and uncertainty is a delay in our ability to deliver improved and more efficient services for residents, community groups and businesses.