Campaigners fight for public forum after plans for a single council body for the whole of Warwickshire are put on hold

Campaigners fighting against plans for a single council body for the whole of Warwickshire said a public forum must now be formed after the Government put the proposal on hold.

Warwickshire County Council submitted their unitary authority plans to the Government - but in a return letter to WCC leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said they will not be seeking an invitation for the county's plans.

District councils in Warwickshire said their idea of a two-tier system, of North and South Warwickshire, would be more effiicent. But WCC said the single unitary authority would be the best way to save money.

Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, has been campaigning against the plans for a single unitary authority, and said: “This is a sensible decision by the Government, which puts the power-grab by Warwickshire County Council on hold.

"If their proposals were to be pursued, it would’ve been premature and would ultimately fail the people of Warwickshire.

“Sweeping changes to how local government is organised and how local services are run must be consulted on fully with the public.

"I’m pushing for a public forum, such as a People’s Assembly, to ensure residents and businesses of Warwickshire have a say on any and all future proposals before they are considered for approval.

“If you agree, please visit www.mattwestern.org/campaigns and sign my petition.”

In the letter to Cllr Seccombe, Luke Hall MP, Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, said: "Whilst I recognise you have also asked for an invitation, the pandemic has rightly necessitated resources across Whitehall and in local government being re-allocated to tackling Covid-19 and on economic recovery, and this must be Whitehall’s and town halls’ number one priority at present.

"I know this will be disappointing. However, I would value an opportunity now to see how your vision for the future of local government in Warwickshire is developing and the ideas you have for future unitary structures."

Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Izzi Seccombe said there were positives to take out of the letter.

She said: “I was pleased to receive a letter from the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government which acknowledged the considerable progress we have made in Warwickshire looking at the opportunities of local government reform.

“The Minister confirmed that invitations have been issued to councils in Cumbria, Somerset and North Yorkshire, and with Government resources rightly focused on the continuing pandemic response, this would be the extent of the formal invitations at this time.

"I have always been clear that in submitting the case for change, this was the start of the conversation. Whilst not a formal invitation, I am delighted that the Minister has so clearly indicated that he would value the opportunity to see how our vision on the future of local government in Warwickshire is developing.

"We now have a real opportunity to continue this thinking and inform his thinking about local government reform for Warwickshire.

“In Warwickshire I think there is a consensus view that the current model of local government is no longer sustainable and that change is needed. This remains the case, especially given the major challenges we face now and in the medium-term as a result of Covid.

"We will continue to press for reform for Warwickshire and we will of course work closely with those who live, work and do business here, as well as Government, as we develop our thinking.”