Rugby Borough Council responds to Warwickshire council shake-up halt
Rugby Borough Council has responded to the Government’s announcement that it will halt its reorganisation of Warwickshire County Council and other local authorities across the country.
In July, the Government announced it would split Warwickshire into two council areas in the north and south of the county from 2028.
But yesterday, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner MP (Lab) paused the process amid threats of legal challenges to decisions made in other areas.
The government also confirmed local elections in May 2027 would go ahead on existing council boundaries.
A spokesman for Rugby Borough Council said: “We note the Government’s announcement and will consider the details carefully.
“At this stage, we do not know the full implications for Local Government Reorganisation in Warwickshire.
"All six councils will continue to work together and engage with the Government as further information becomes available.
“We’ll provide updates for residents, staff and councillors when we have greater clarity.
“We remain focused on delivering services for residents, communities and businesses across the borough.”
Meanwhile, the leader of two Warwickshire councils is preparing compensation requests over delays to local government reorganisation (LGR) – irrespective of whether the process still goes ahead.
Councillor George Finch (Reform UK, Bedworth Central/Bede) says Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council spent “millions” on working to the national government’s timetable.
Cllr Finch said: “We knew this was coming.
“This was forced on us by the government, there was no mandate for or vote on this.
"We wanted a single unitary, they didn’t listen to advice and decided differently.”