On Monday 17, Stratford-on-Avon District Council took a significant step forward in shaping the future of local governance in Warwickshire by agreeing the two unitary authority model as its preferred option for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).
This decision will now guide the District Council's engagement with the public and stakeholders over the coming months.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council, alongside all District and Borough Councils in Warwickshire, commissioned Deloitte to conduct an initial evaluation of the Government's criteria for LGR.
This analysis has informed the Council's decision-making process and will support the development of a formal proposal to be submitted to the Government in November 2025.
The options considered included:
- A single unitary authority for Warwickshire based on the current county boundary.
- A two unitary model dividing the county into North and South Warwickshire.
- Alternative configurations using existing District and Borough boundaries.
Following a detailed discussion, the District Council agreed to proceed with the two unitary mode - grouping North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Rugby in the north, and Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick in the south - as the basis for public engagement.
Cllr Susan Juned, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "This is a pivotal moment for local government in Warwickshire. By endorsing the two unitary model as our preferred option, we are putting forward a structure that we believe best reflects the distinct needs of our communities in South Warwickshire.
"This model offers the opportunity for more responsive, efficient, and locally accountable services. We are committed to engaging openly with residents and stakeholders to ensure their voices shape the future of local governance."
The results of the engagement will inform the District Council's final position on LGR, ahead of the formal submission to Government later this year.
Details of the consultation and how to get involved will be published at a later date.
