The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed MP, has confirmed his preference for a north–south split in the reorganisation of Warwickshire's local government, opting for two unitary authorities rather than a single county‑wide council.
How the county will be divided
Under the chosen arrangement, the northern unitary will cover the boroughs of Nuneaton & Bedworth, North Warwickshire and Rugby. The southern unitary will bring together the districts of Warwick and Stratford‑on‑Avon.
| Unitary | Areas included |
|---|---|
| North | Nuneaton & Bedworth; North Warwickshire; Rugby |
| South | Warwick; Stratford‑on‑Avon |
Reasoning behind the decision
In a letter to council leaders and chief executives, Mr Reed said he was persuaded by the distinct challenges facing the northern and southern parts of the county and considered the split to better reflect differences in economy, identity and demographics. He indicated the arrangement would allow for more locally tailored planning and housing policies and give Warwickshire greater scope when negotiating future devolution deals.
"Although the (county‑wide) proposal also met the criteria for unitary local government, overall I consider my selected option to be the better option for Warwickshire as it reflects the realities of the county's different economies, identities and demographics."
Background to the reorganisation
Warwickshire currently operates a two‑tier structure: the county council is responsible for major services such as education, social care and home‑to‑school transport, while five district and borough councils handle housing, planning and waste collection. The government invited two‑tier areas to submit proposals to move to unitary arrangements that would consolidate all services under a single authority for each area.
Late in 2024 the county council argued for a single, county‑wide unitary, saying it would deliver economies of scale and draw on its experience managing major service areas. Four of the five districts and boroughs, however, favoured a split, arguing that smaller, more local authorities would keep decision‑making closer to communities and reflect different local priorities.
Immediate implications and next steps
The Secretary of State’s decision favours the districts and boroughs that supported the north‑south option. It stops short of implementing the change immediately; further procedural steps and detailed planning will be required before any new authorities come into being. The letter flags the potential for more integrated housing and planning at a scale considered sensible to local needs, and the selected model could provide a platform for future devolution discussions.
- Northern unitary: Nuneaton & Bedworth, North Warwickshire, Rugby
- Southern unitary: Warwick, Stratford‑on‑Avon
- Next stages: formal implementation steps and detailed transition planning
Both sides of the previous debate acknowledged merits in the alternative option of a single county authority, but the Secretary of State judged the two‑unitary model to be better suited to Warwickshire’s varied local circumstances.
Further announcements will be required to set timetables and to outline how services, staff and budgets will transfer to the new structures.
