Cautious opposition response to councils shake-up

Warwickshire County Council has discussed plans for a new authority

Opposition councillors have offered a mixed response to plans to scrap Warwickshire's six main councils to form a new authority.

Izzi Seccombe, the Conservative leader of Warwickshire County Council, confirmed last week she would be asking for a unitary authority based on the current borders.

She said the body, replacing her authority and five districts and boroughs, would be led by a leader and cabinet, not a mayor, and be established by 2027.

The move would delay next May's local elections and comes amid government plans to streamline local government in England and Wales.

The councillor's argument for acting quickly was that it would give Warwickshire more control to shape its own future, rather than having an off-the-shelf proposal imposed upon it.

Councillor Jonathan Chilvers, the Green Party's group leader who also holds a seat on Warwick's district council, said he was considering whether it was best for Warwickshire to be an early adopter but urged bosses not to make decisions "behind the scenes".

"We could potentially spend years rearranging deckchairs and arguing over who owns what, or what is at the top of the notepaper," he said.

"I am very concerned it could take away from the work we need to do to deliver for residents. You have to be really sure if you are going to throw everything up in the air and see where it lands."

Izzi Seccombe said her authority was "ready to go" with reorganisation

Liberal Democrat councillor Jerry Roodhouse, who also sits on Rugby Borough Council, said his party had reservations but he was open to a swifter timescale.

"Reluctantly, our view is that we can see it coming," he said.

"I would urge all chief executives, leaders and political parties to sit down and discuss what is best for residents."

Labour group leader Sarah Feeney added she was keen to look at the benefits but was another who wanted to protect local connections.

"It will take some working through," she said.

"What people don't always remember is that this is not the county council taking over, if it happens this will be a completely new authority built from the ground up.

"The big thing for me is retaining locality, that people feel that they are connected to their council, engaged and that they have a place to go to."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.