Worcestershire split plan 'worse deal for north'

Summarised from BBC Hereford And Worcester's report · Updated 5 Nov, 06:55 · Archive

Government admits a single Worcestershire council would be financially stronger than the planned north-south split.

Worcestershire County Council is pursuing plans to create two new unitary councils, with a north-south split expected to proceed in 2029. The government has endorsed this plan, saying it would create councils closer to their communities and offer greater flexibility and local representation.

However, a government letter admits that a single council for the whole county would present a 'stronger overall' financial case. The letter acknowledges that the north would face 'greater pressures' in making the two-authority solution work, citing a 'weaker income base' from fewer higher-rate taxpayers and 'higher need' for services. The split is prompted by different economic priorities and service needs across the north and south.

The existing arrangement, with six district authorities under the upper-tier Worcestershire County Council, is mired in debt and facing a £98m shortfall next year. Some councillors are now calling for major services like highways and social care to be shared between the two new authorities if the split is finalised.

Read the report

• Council split 'worse deal for the north of county'A government letter admits that having one council for Worcestershire would be "better" financially.BBC Hereford And Worcester · 5 Nov, 06:08

In this story: Worcestershire County Council · Worcestershire

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