There is a ‘clear preference’ for a north and south unitary option among district and borough councils in Warwickshire, says district council leader.
Stratford-on-Avon District Council members have agreed to support the council's interim plan for local government reorganisation in Warwickshire.
Two options for local government reorganisation are being considered as part of the plan: a single unitary council for Warwickshire and two unitary councils.
The second option would see one unitary covering North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Rugby boroughs, while the other would include Warwick and Stratford districts.
A county council report estimates that a single unitary for the county would generate annual savings of £21m over five years, while moving to two unitary councils would only lead to £8m across the first five years combined.
A report for the district and borough councils estimates that a single authority would save £21m over five years, but estimates that the potential savings from a two unitary model would be around £18m.
Cllr Susan Juned, leader of Stratford-on-Avon District, said there was a ‘clear preference for a north and south unitary option’ among districts and boroughs, adding that ‘making savings is not the same as making sure local services work well.’
