Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has welcomed the decision for the reorganisation of Warwickshire County Council which will see the authority split into two to cover the north and south of the area in 2028.

The decision was made last week as part of the Government’s reorganisation of local authorities nationwide.

Mr Western said that, while this is only the start of the reorganisation and “there remains much to confirm" he “welcomes this [the decision] as a first step”.

He said: “I believe it is the right thing for the people of Warwickshire, both North and South, which have their independent identities and priorities.

Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has welcomed the decision for the reorganisation of Warwickshire County Council which will see the authority split into two covering the north and south of the area in 2028.

placeholder image — Warwick and Leamington MP Matt Western has welcomed the decision for the reorganisation of Warwickshire County Council which will see the authority split into two covering the north and south of the area in 2028.

"Whilst the finer details of local government re-organisation will be ironed out before the new local authorities come into effect in 2028, the North Warwickshire unitary authority will serve 322,741 people currently residing in the district councils of North Warwickshire, Nuneaton & Bedworth and Rugby.

“Meanwhile, the new South Warwickshire unitary authority will represent 295,082 people currently living in the districts of Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon.

“Both new unitary authorities will hold their first elections in May 2027, giving the new councils a year to take over from existing authorities, which will close in May 2028.

“Reorganisation will cut the number of councillors and bring critical services, including housing and planning, education and social care, as well as waste and highway management under one roof.

"This will speed up decision-making in key areas, such as housebuilding, whilst making councils simpler and more accountable to the people they serve.

“It will also enable the new authorities to focus on the challenges that matter most to local people, whether that's tackling health inequalities in North Warwickshire or improving SEND provision and adult social care in South Warwickshire.

“I remain firmly committed to the principle that decisions affecting our communities should be made by those closest to them. I fought hard to prevent Warwickshire County Council from being absorbed into the West Midlands Combined Authority.

“Therefore, I am hopeful that these two unitary authorities in Warwickshire will have the capacity to deliver significant efficiencies while ensuring that residents feel connected to decision-making.”