Local Government Reorganisation: Transforming Worcestershire

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Government consultation on this began on Thursday 5th February.

It asks people, businesses and local organisations for their opinions on the two proposals that will reshape the way council services are delivered across the county.

You can take part until March 26, 2026.

What’s Happened So Far

Redditch Borough Council voted to submit an ambitious proposal to transform local government in Worcestershire to the Government:

Transforming Worcestershire: Local government that works for people, powered by place and built for the future - The North and South Local Government Reorganisation Proposal for Worcestershire

Local Government Reorganisation - Submission Covering Letter

The council worked with Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, and Worcester, alongside consultants KPMG and Mutual Ventures, to put together the proposal document.

To reach that point, the council considered a business case put together by Mutual Ventures and, together with other borough, city and district councils across Worcestershire, carried out public engagement for residents to have their say on their preferred option, called Shape Worcestershire: Reorganising your local councils together.

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.