MORE than 4,200 people and organisations have taken part in a survey seeking views on how local councils should be reorganised.
The Shape Worcestershire survey took place in June and invited feedback on government plans to abolish Worcestershire County Council and the six district, borough, and city councils by April 1 2028.
They will be replaced by either one single council for Worcestershire running all services, or two councils – one for the North and one for the South – with each authority running all services for its part of the county.
Survey responses were gathered from residents, community and voluntary organisations, businesses, town and parish councils, and other key partners.
Initial survey results shows that 48 per cent backed creating two unitary councils, 29 per cent supported one unitary council for the county and 19 per cent didn’t support any reorganisation of local councils in Worcestershire.
Respondents from Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough and Wychavon were strongly in favour of the two unitary council solution.
In Worcester City, 46 per cent favoured creating one unitary council, with 42 per cent supporting the North and South option.
In Wyre Forest, opinion was split with 40 per cent backing the one unitary option and 39% supporting creating two unitary councils.
People were asked to consider a range of factors when giving their responses, including how any proposed change would save money, improve local services, simplify local government, support local identity and strengthen community engagement.
The two unitary option was considered better for improving local services, supporting local identity and stronger community engagement.
It was felt the one unitary option would be better for saving money/delivering value and making local government simpler.
The local council services people said they were most concerned about being affected by reorganisation were highways, adult social care, waste and recycling collection and disposal, parks and other green spaces and planning and related services.
Infrastructure planning, maintaining and improving services and council-owned facilities and Council Tax levels, were the three things that mattered most to people when thinking about their local council.
More than 4,600 comments were also made as part of the survey responses. These are currently being analysed in-depth, along with the results of focus groups held across the county.
Survey feedback and other relevant information will be taken into account before councils formally submit their final reorganisation proposals to the Government by November 28 2025.
Vic Allison, consultation and engagement lead for Shape Worcestershire, said: “The Government’s proposed changes to local councils are the most significant in more than 50 years. “So, I’m pleased so many people have taken the opportunity to have their say.
“Their feedback will be invaluable in helping each council decide on their final submission to the Government.”
The Shape Worcestershire public engagement is led by Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough, Worcester City, Wychavon and Wyre Forest District Councils. Visit www.shapeworcestershire.org to find out more about the proposed changes to local councils in Worcestershire.
