South Warwickshire could become 'super district' if a local government review goes ahead

The timing of a review will coincide with a government white paper expected in the autumn which will look at how local government is structured
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A South Warwickshire ‘super district’ is one of the options to be looked at if councillors approve a review of local government in the area.

The leaders of Stratford and Warwick District Councils issued a statement last week explaining that the two authorities were looking at ways to co-operate in ways that could benefit the public.

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Members of Stratford District Council’s cabinet are set to endorse a review into local government across Warwickshire at their meeting next week - a review that is also likely to involve the other district and borough councils as well as the county council.

The building where Warwick District Council is based.The building where Warwick District Council is based.
The building where Warwick District Council is based.

Speaking at their scrutiny committee this week [WED], Stratford’s chief executive David Buckland explained: “The leaders felt that now was the time to have the conversation about what is the very best form of local government structure for our localities gong into the future and has put the challenge out to the other districts and boroughs and county council to join us in a district review.

“In addition there have been discussions around how, in the interim, we can save some money by working more collaboratively together.

"We are facing a £6.8m deficit this year so these are ways that we can hopefully address some of the financial pressures upon us.”

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Mr Buckland explained that initial collaboration could see the sharing of managerial posts across councils, the sharing of various contracts and a common local plan.

He added: “Plan making is a very expensive business and for us to put aside £1.6m when we are under financial pressure is a big commitment from the authority.

“There is a lot of sense working with Warwick District Council and a lot of our residents in the east look towards Warwick and Leamington for their services rather than looking towards Stratford.”

The timing of a review will coincide with a government white paper expected in the autumn which will look at how local government is structured.

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A report to be considered at Monday’s cabinet meeting outlines four possible options that will need to be considered as part of a local review.

These would include the creation of a ‘super district' linking Warwick and Stratford councils and also the creation of a unitary authority across the entire county which would mean the end of the district and boroughs.

Cllr Susan Juned (Lib Dem, Alcester Town) said: “A unitary for South Warwickshire has been proposed at least three times in my political career that I know of. I have a broad support for that as long as the financial detail is looked at very thoroughly.”

And Cllr John Fielding (Con, Red Horse) added: “The importance of making sure we are protected from being part of a Greater Warwickshire council is very important to me. To be sucked into the county council is not the way forward. Where it has happened I gather it doesn’t work properly.”