Local Government Reorganisation in Warwickshire

Overview

The government's long-term vision is for simpler council structures, which make it clear which authority is responsible for services.

At present, in the Rugby Borough Council area, services are split between Rugby Borough Council and the county council in a "two-tier" arrangement.

The government believes that reorganising and simplifying councils can drive economic growth while delivering better public services.

Reorganisation would see all six councils in the county replaced with one or more all purpose "unitary" authorities that would be responsible for all local authority services in their area.

Why is this reorganisation happening?

The English Devolution White Paper is the Government’s statement of their plans to devolve power from Westminster to local areas and reform local government. This includes a wide range of proposals on devolution but also wider plans for local government reorganisation.

The Government position is clear that devolution is a key part of their ambition to build an economy that works for everyone. They see the White Paper as a route to a completely new way of governing – a generational project.

The Government’s invitation asks councils in two-tier areas to explore whether local government could be made simpler and more efficient. This process is about ensuring that councils deliver high-quality services, provide value for money, and remain responsive to local needs.

What is a unitary authority?

Unitary authorities are a single tier of local government responsible for all local services in an area. They may cover a whole county, part of a county or a town or city.

What councils will this affect?

This is relevant to all five district and borough councils in the county (North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Rugby Borough Council, Stratford District Council and Warwick District Council), as well as Warwickshire County Council.

What's happening in Rugby?

The council is working with local partners and other councils in the county to respond to the Government invitation received on 6 February 2025.

The Government has invited councils in the county to consider proposals for changing how local government is structured. Currently, services are delivered through a two-tier system, with:

the county council providing services such as adult and children's social care and highways
five District and Borough councils delivering services such as planning, housing, and waste collection

While no decision has been made, reorganisation could mean replacing all of these councils with one or more new unitary councils, which would be responsible for all local government services in their areas.

What will this mean for local services?

During the process our focus remains on delivering essential services across the local authority. The aim of any reorganisation would be to improve services and make them more efficient. However, the impact would depend on the model chosen. We are committed to ensuring that key services continue to meet local needs.

Will my council tax change?

It is too early to say what impact reorganisation would have on council tax. However, any proposals will need to consider the financial implications, including how services are funded and whether council tax levels would need to be harmonised across council areas.

Timelines

This is an outline of the timeline provided by the Government in the white paper. It includes proposed and confirmed dates. Further dates will be confirmed as we receive updates.

Timeline
Date	Activity
6 February 2025	Statutory invitation received from Government to submit unitary proposals
21 March 2025	Interim Reorganisation proposal submitted
28 November 2025	Deadline to submit full Reorganisation proposals
May 2027	Possible elections to shadow authorities
April 2028	Possible vesting date for new councils

Can I have my say?

We are committed to involving residents in developing future proposals and will carry out a public consultation as the process develops. We will also seek the views of local organisations and businesses.

Devolution

The second part of the Government’s planned changes to local government is devolution.

What is devolution?

Devolution means giving more power and control to local areas instead of having everything decided by the Government in London.

What is the Government planning?

The Government wants every part of England to have a Mayoral Strategic Authority (also known as a Combined Authority). They believe this is the best way to deliver change and drive economic growth across the country.

Mayoral Strategic Authorities would be made up of more than one unitary council and operating across a larger area. The Government would prefer them to be led by a local mayor like in the West Midlands or Manchester.

These authorities would get extra powers and money from the Government to make bolder decisions about things like:

Where housing is provided
Local job creation
Training opportunities and skills development
Improved transport links
Bus and train provision

What will devolution look like for Rugby?

Conversations are still ongoing about what devolution will look like in Rugby. The first step towards this devolution is deciding the reorganisation of councils within the county.

It could be possible to join with other councils in the county or in neighbouring counties. It is also possible that new councils may wish to become part of the existing West Midlands Combined Authority.

The timetable for devolution is not yet known. It could happen at the same time as elections to the new council(s) in May 2027 or it could happen at a later date.

Any proposed new council structures as part of local government reorganisation, need to help deliver or “unlock” devolution.