Talks have been held between council leaders in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire about the creation of a new strategic authority.
The biggest shake-up of local government in a generation will see Worcestershire’s county council and six district councils replaced by either one or two unitary authorities in 2028.
Government devolution plans also encourage the formation of strategic authorities – regional bodies led by elected mayors with decision-making powers over transport, economy and infrastructure.
This could see Worcestershire link up with three bordering ‘Shire’ counties in a bid to form a “growth corridor” between Birmingham and Bristol.
Worcester City Council leader Lynn Denham and Malvern Hills District Council leader John Gallagher want their authorities to link up with Wychavon District Council to form a south Worcestershire unitary council with about 330,000 residents.
They say a north Worcestershire council made up of the Wyre Forest, Redditch and Bromsgrove Districts would be a similar size.
Alternative plans put forward by Worcestershire County Council and Wyre Forest would see the creation of a single unitary authority to cover the whole county.
But in a letter to the Worcester News, Councillors Denham and Gallagher said: “Two unitary councils would fit better with the government’s aim of devolving powers from Whitehall to a strategic authority, which is the second stage to follow on from the creation of the new unitary councils.
“The strategic authority stage already exists in some areas, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester for example.
“For us, your council leaders have been talking to our neighbours in Herefordshire, Warwickshire and Gloucestershire about the potential for forming a new strategic authority.
“This is an opportunity to develop a distinct shires identity that sits between Birmingham and Bristol, and which would form a significant growth corridor contributing positively to the need for national renewal.”
A government consultation on local government reorganisation ends on Thursday (March 26) and is described by the two councillors as “relatively easy to complete”.
You can have your say at
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-worcestershire
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