Lib Dems District Councillors fume over government delay

South Warwickshire going ahead as a unitary council is warmly welcomed by the Liberal Democrat councillors of Stratford-on-Avon District Council. They strongly criticise, however, the government's delay in confirming its original decision.

The delay will mean elections next May for a District Council that will be abolished less than two years later.

Reacting to the long-awaited government announcement yesterday, the Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Cllr Susan Juned, commented: “I welcome the final decision for Warwickshire. But the government delays have been frustrating for residents and councillors alike, not to mention the unwanted and unnecessary impact on council officers and staff morale.

“All of the councils in Warwickshire made strenuous efforts to meet the government’s deadlines for submitting reports and proposals, spending large sums of money and diverting council officers from providing services to residents.

“By imposing a one-year delay on its previously-made decision, the government has imposed yet more time-consuming work and expense on councils as they now resume their efforts to prepare for a new South Warwickshire unitary council to come into being in April 2029.

“This will mean elections next May for a District Council that will only have 23 months before it’s shut down forever. That is a gross waste of time and tax-payers’ money, brought about by government indecision.”

Back in July, the government supported the popular option of two unitary councils for Warwickshire. This option had been backed heavily by the Liberal Democrat administration after a public consultation across Stratford District had been massively in favour.

In September, however, the government paused local government reorganisation, imposing confusion and uncertainty on local democracy in Warwickshire. “Now, nearly two months later, it’s ‘as you were’, but with 12 months delay and another costly election added into the mix,” commented Cllr Juned, noting that ‘shadow’ council elections for the new unitary authority would now take place in May 2028.

Two unitary councils for North and South Warwickshire would be more accountable to residents than a single, countywide council, Cllr Juned added, and the change would end the confusion about which council provided what service.

“It’s crucial, she insisted, “that the government now backs its final decision and offers the councils of Warwickshire its full support in bringing about the changes it wants to see. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done before South Warwickshire Council comes into being in April 2029.”