The future of local government in Warwickshire

We asked for views to help inform the final proposals on local government that Warwickshire County Council will submit to Government in November 2025. The survey was to understand opinions on the opportunities and the challenges of local government reorganisation, and its impacts, to inform and shape our proposal. The survey did not ask about a specific option.

There were 857 responses received. Most respondents (n=790, 92.2%) indicated they were a Warwickshire resident.

Main themes relating to benefits:

• Potential for cost savings including savings made by streamlining services and reducing duplication of services such as administration and support services, or savings made by consolidating assets, and savings made due to economies of scale.
• Potential for improved and more efficient ways of working including improved integration across councils and departments leading to better services and more efficient ways of working; having one vision and unified strategies and policies that cover Warwickshire; and improvements to the workforce and use of technology.
• Potential for improved interaction with residents due to a simpler structure. The current structure of two/three tiers of councils is confusing to residents with regards to who is responsible for what service. A unitary model would make contacting the council much easier with potentially one point of contact and reduction of signposting between authorities. In addition, clearer routes to enable engagement and potential to enable better engagement between residents and the council.
• Potential for simpler governance and control. The way councils operate being much more transparent due to reduced numbers of councils, and improved accountability of officers, services and elected members. In addition, a less complicated hierarchical structure and simpler decision-making process, and potentially fewer councillors.
• Potential for more consistent and equitable delivery of services across Warwickshire. Some respondents felt that there no benefits or took the opportunity to mention concerns.

In addition, some respondents gave their views on the proposed LGR models (single unitary or two unitaries) or mentioned other potential models.

Main themes relating to concerns:

• Loss of local understanding, local focus, the representation of local areas and the presence of council buildings and offices in local areas.
• How local government reorganisation would be implemented, including costs of implementation and challenges associated with integration and transition; job losses and impact on staff morale, along with loss of experience and knowledge in the workforce.
• The ability of a unitary council(s) to understand and cater for differences in communities and their needs across Warwickshire in general but also differences between communities in the north and south of Warwickshire.
• The impact of local government reorganisation on the delivery of services including disruption to services and inequalities in service delivery.
• How funding would be distributed across Warwickshire and that this may be unfair.
• Governance and control particularly around reduced accountability, increased bureaucracy and power being with too few decision makers.
• Communication and engagement with residents, both increased difficulties in contacting the council and perceived fewer opportunities for engagement with the council or reduced communication from councils.

In addition some respondents gave their views on the proposed LGR models (one unitary council or two unitary councils) or mentioned other potential models. Some respondents said they had no concerns.

Importance of considerations for how any unitary council(s) in Warwickshire should operate:

Respondents were asked to indicate the importance of several themes in thinking about how any future unitary council(s) in Warwickshire should operate. The themes which the highest proportion of respondents felt were either very important or important related to money: “Making sure the council manages money well so it can keep providing services in the future” (95.9%, n=822) and “Working efficiently to save money and provide good, reliable services for everyone” (93.9%, n=805). The theme that the highest proportion of respondents (7.8%, n=67) felt was not at all important was “Making it easier for you to find and use council services in one place”.

Comments on how local government in Warwickshire could work better for respondents / their community in the future.

Themes in the responses focused on:

• a desire for improved engagement and communication with residents and stakeholders including reducing confusion that is caused by the current two-tier structure,
• further responses about local government reorganisation in general and the proposed models or alternative models,
• service delivery including ensuring needs of residents are met, improving collaboration between organisations/partners, efficient use of resources, and reducing bureaucracy,
• local needs, local representation and local decision-making including comments on the role of elected members and parish councils, and
• a desire to monitor the impact of local government reorganisation.

All comments were analysed and considered. The Local Government review was considered at an Extraordinary Warwickshire County Council meeting on 14 October 2025, and this included feedback from this survey. As part of that debate, by a majority vote, Council confirmed its preference on the form of unitary government for Warwickshire which is a single unitary council. 

A final proposal will be considered for approval by Cabinet on 6 November, prior to submission to Government by 28 November.