WYCHAVON has committed to exploring two options for local government reorganisation in Worcestershire following central government’s push for unitary authority’s across the region.
At the beginning of February, the local government minister wrote to councils across Worcestershire requesting interim proposals for transitions to unitary authority’s by March 21, ahead of a full and final submission by November 28.
Under the Government’s proposed changes, Wychavon, along with the county council and five other district councils, will be abolished. They will be replaced by a single tier of local government delivering all services across Worcestershire.
At a meeting on Wednesday, February 26, councillors discussed the Government’s plans for the first time in public.
While some councillors supported a single Worcestershire unitary authority, others expressed interest in exploring the potential benefits of a north-south division.
Concerns were also raised about the speed of the Government’s timeline and the lack of data needed to make an informed decision.
As a result, councillors agreed to instruct the council leader and chief executive to enter negotiations with their counterparts across the county to ensure both options are included in the interim plan and further explored.
The interim plan will allow ministers to provide guidance to councils as they develop their final proposals. The contents of the interim plan will be debated at a Special Council meeting on March 19.
Feedback will be used to guide the full proposal to be submitted in November, which may include one or both options.
The Government will make the final decision on which plan to implement. It is expected the new arrangements will be in place by April 2028.
Councillor Chris Day, leader of Wychavon, said: “There is some support amongst our councillors for a single unitary council, but many councillors feel they don’t yet have enough information to decide.
“Keeping both options open is the right approach while we work with colleagues across Worcestershire on the interim plan.
“I’m committed to engaging and listening to our residents, staff and town and parish councils to explain the changes, potential impacts and opportunities created by reorganisation before we vote on a final proposal in November.
“My priority is to ensure we secure the best outcome for Wychavon residents and that any new council builds on our strong track record of more than 50 years of delivering quality services and value for money.”
