Warwick and Stratford district councils to make decisions on creating 'South Warwickshire Council'

Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council will be making key decisions later this month about the creation of one 'South Warwickshire Council'.

The councils are moving towards the next step - “To create a single statutory South Warwickshire Council covering all of the activities currently carried out by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council by 2024.”

Next week, both councils will be making important decisions on the future shape and delivery of council services in South Warwickshire.

Cllr Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council said: “Out of crisis often comes opportunity. Our two Councils have much in common and working together we've been able to respond positively to the pandemic.

"The local Recovery Plan will be strengthened if Councillors decide to take this historic step, giving an opportunity to improve local government services across South Warwickshire, generating greater value for our residents and taxpayers.”

The Deloitte report will be presented to Warwick District Council’s Executive on Thursday February 11, where Members will be discussing the future relationship between the two councils, before final recommendations go to Full Council on Wednesday February 24.

The options for the Executive are as follows:

1. To receive or to reject the Deloitte report “Creating a South Warwickshire Council”.

2. To either support the principle of pursuing further integration between Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council to the point of a full merger of the organisations.

3. Subject to option 2:

~ For the Chief Executive to develop proposals for a full merger between Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council in order to create a South Warwickshire Council.

~ That the sum of £100,000 pa for the period 2021/22 to 2023/24 be provided to ensure that there is sufficient programme management support the guide the Council through this the transition to a full merger.

Cllr Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on our communities and the council.

"The Deloitte report clearly identifies that there are significant benefits from our two authorities continuing to integrate; without this there would be even more very challenging decisions required from both authorities.

"Without doubt, this is one of the most significant issues in the history of the District Council.”

Stratford-on- Avon District Council will be discussing the report at their Cabinet meeting on Tuesday February 9 before going before its Full Council on Monday February 22.

The recommendations are the same.

Here are the reasons for this proposal:

~ Recognised that the sense of place between the two authorities needs to be maintained

~ Louder voice sub-regionally for residents and stakeholders

~ Financial pressures from Covid and reductions in Government Support

~ To help retain as many valuable services as possible

There are also many similarities between the two councils:

~ Shared economic geography – WDC and SDC have the highest GVAs in the West Midlands

~ Shared sense of community between authorities

~ Strong political relationships between Leaders

~ Within the same County Council area

The councils also share two management roles - head of neighbourhood/community and operational services and head of ICT and wider integration of both management teams is expected during 2021.

Work has also started on the production of joint local plan and a joint procurement process has started for a joint refuse and recycling contract.