Wychavon residents are being urged to have their say on the most significant change to local councils in Worcestershire for more than 50 years.
The Government has today (5 February) launched a seven-week consultation asking people, businesses and local organisations for their opinions on two proposals that will reshape the way council services are delivered across the county.
One of the plans – Transforming Worcestershire – would create a North Worcestershire council covering Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest, and a South Worcestershire council covering Malvern Hills, Worcester and Wychavon. They would run all services for their part of the county and replace the six borough, city and district councils as well as Worcestershire County Council. Under the proposal, certain services, such as elements of social care, would continue across both of the new councils if beneficial.
Key parts of the Transforming Worcestershire proposal include shifting services from crisis response to prevention, empowering communities by keeping decision-making local, and driving long-term financial sustainability.
The plan is backed and developed by Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough, Worcester City and Wychavon District councils and is based on extensive feedback from last summer’s Shape Worcestershire engagement last summer.
Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest District Council are putting forward an alternative proposal to create a single council running all services across the county.
People can find links to both proposal and how to have their say by visiting the Government's Worcestershire LGR consultation page. Paper copies of both proposals are available to view in local libraries. Visit the Transforming Worcestershire website for more information on the Transforming Worcestershire proposal. The deadline for responses is Thursday, 26 March.
Cllr Richard Morris, Leader of Wychavon, said: “This is a seismic moment for local government in Worcestershire and the decision the Government makes will have a lasting impact on how services residents depend on are delivered for decades to come. That’s why it’s vital as many people have their say as possible.
While it’s sad a high-performing and much-valued council like Wychavon is going to disappear, if we have to have change, then we believe Transforming Worcestershire is the only option that will deliver that in a meaningful way.
The proposal is the only one based on feedback from our residents and built around their priorities. It offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a renewed, resilient local government that works for people and is powered by place.
“The Government are imposing the change on us, we didn’t ask for it so now it’s vital the government listens to and takes on board local views. Last summer, the people of Wychavon gave a very clear message they supported the two-council option. Now we need people to make their voice heard again by taking part in the consultation and sending that message directly to the decision-makers in government.”
Feedback from the consultation will be analysed and used by the Government to make its final decision, which is expected in July 2026. Elections for a new shadow council – or councils – would then take place in May 2027, ready for the new arrangements to come into effect on 1 April 2028.