Government confirms new council structure for Warwickshire

The Government has confirmed that Warwickshire will move to a new two-unitary council structure, replacing the current county and district/borough councils.

The decision follows a consultation on proposals for local government reorganisation across the county. Under the approved plans, two new unitary councils will be created:

• North Warwickshire Council – covering the areas currently served by North Warwickshire Borough Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, and Rugby Borough Council.
• South Warwickshire Council – covering the areas currently served by Stratford-on-Avon District Council and Warwick District Council.

As Dunchurch is currently within the Rugby Borough area, residents will become part of the new North Warwickshire Council once the changes take effect.

A unitary council is a single local authority responsible for delivering all local government services within its area. This means that, instead of services being delivered separately by Warwickshire County Council and Rugby Borough Council, a single council will be responsible for services including education, highways, planning, waste and recycling, libraries, housing and adult and children’s social care.

Following the Government’s announcement, Warwickshire County Council and the five district and borough councils issued a joint statement confirming their commitment to working together throughout the transition.

The statement acknowledges that different views were expressed during the consultation process but confirms that all six councils will now work collaboratively to ensure residents, businesses and communities continue to receive the services they rely on, while the transition to the new arrangements is managed carefully and in the best interests of Warwickshire.

The councils also confirmed they will work closely with Government, staff, councillors and partner organisations to support a smooth transition and provide further updates as the programme progresses.

The transition to the new council structure is expected to be completed on 1 April 2028, when the new North Warwickshire Council and South Warwickshire Council are due to assume responsibility for local government services.

Residents can read the full joint statement from Warwickshire’s six councils on the Warwickshire County Council website for more information.

Joint statement from the six councils in Warwickshire on Local Government Reorganisation – Warwickshire County Council