Local Government Reorganisation

What does this mean for our residents?

For now, very little will change.

Bromsgrove District Council / Redditch Borough Council will continue to provide services and support to residents, businesses and communities until the new arrangements come into effect on 1 April 2028.

You should continue to contact us in the usual way and use our services as you do today.

Will your services change?

No. Services will continue to be delivered by the existing councils until April 2028 - and the new unitary councils thereafter with any future changes decided later on.

This includes services such as:

• Bin collections and waste services
• Planning applications
• Housing services
• Parks, play areas and open spaces
• Leisure and sports facilities
• Road maintenance and highways
• Education services
• Children's services
• Adult social care

For now

• Council services continue as normal
• Continue using the same phone numbers, websites and offices
• Continue reporting issues and making applications in the usual way
• Changes to unitary councils will not take effect until 1 April 2028
• We will keep residents informed as plans progress

From April 2028, these services will be delivered through the new unitary councils and we will make this transition as seamless as possible

What happens next?

Following the Government's decision, preparations will begin to establish the new council arrangements.

Elections for the new council or councils are expected to take place in May 2027. Following those elections, a shadow council will be created to prepare for the transfer of services and responsibilities.

The shadow council's role will include:

• Preparing for the launch of the new authority or authorities
• Agreeing budgets and policies
• Establishing governance arrangements
• Ensuring services transfer smoothly on 1 April 2028

The Shadow Council will automatically become the elected officials of your new unitary authority post-Vesting, on 1 April 2028.

Our shared commitment to residents -

Our priority is to ensure residents, businesses and communities continue to receive the services and support they rely on.

We are working in close partnership with councils across Worcestershire to make sure the transition is planned carefully and delivered smoothly.

If any future changes affect how residents access services, these will be communicated clearly and, where required, consulted on in the usual way.

Find out more -

• Read the Government's decision announcement
• Read the joint statement from Worcestershire council leaders
• See our social media for updates

Background

Major changes are planned to councils across Worcestershire as part of the biggest shake-up of local government in more than 50 years. The Government is requiring 21 areas of England to restructure their system of local government before 2029.

There are two parts to the Government’s proposed changes:

• Local government reorganisation – where the Government is looking to replace Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough, Worcester City, Worcestershire County, Wychavon District and Wyre Forest District Councils with fewer councils.
• Devolution – where the Government is looking to transfer powers and funding to new Strategic Authorities (also called Combined Authorities) that cover a number of new council areas and are responsible for large projects such as transport, infrastructure, and economic development

Press releases from the council on this topic

• Council agrees two unitary proposal
• Majority Decision For Local Government Reorganisation
• Residents’ local councils reorganisation priorities revealed
• Have your say on the reorganisation of local councils in Worcestershire