Worcestershire council reorganisation goes ahead, delayed by 12 months

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 14:19 · Archive

Worcestershire will split into North and South councils in 2029, a year later than planned, after a legal review found the reorganisation criteria robust.

Worcestershire's council reorganisation has been approved to go ahead following a legal review, but implementation has been delayed by 12 months. The new North Worcestershire council will comprise Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest districts, whilst South Worcestershire will consist of Malvern Hills, Redditch and Wychavon. The proposals were put on hold in September pending legal advice, but local government minister Jim McMahon confirmed that the original criteria for reorganisation were found to be 'robust'.

McMahon said the decisions represented 'the same council structure that was previously announced in July, but they are new decisions following full and thorough consideration'. The reorganisation will now be established in 2029 rather than 2028. Shadow council elections, which serve as a precursor to the new authorities, have been moved from 2027 to May 2028. Local elections scheduled for 2027 will take place using existing boundaries.

Five district councils—Worcester, Wychavon, Malvern Hills, Redditch and Bromsgrove—support the north-south division. However, Wyre Forest district and Worcestershire County councils backed an alternative 'one Worcestershire' plan to create a single authority covering the entire county. Alongside Worcestershire, similar proposals for East Sussex, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire will continue. Fifteen other areas remain under review, with an outcome expected by early 2027.

How it is being reported

• Worcestershire council reorganisation delayed by 12 months after legal reviewWorcestershire council reorganisation will proceed after legal review, with North and South councils delayed until 2029 and shadow elections moved to May 2028Worcester News · 29 Oct, 13:36
• Worcestershire council reorganisation delayed by 12 months after legal reviewWorcestershire council reorganisation will proceed after legal review, with North and South councils delayed until 2029 and shadow elections moved to May 2028Malvern Gazette · 29 Oct, 13:36

In this story: Worcestershire · North Worcestershire · South Worcestershire · Jim McMahon · Steve Reed · Bromsgrove · Redditch · Wyre Forest

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