Warwick District Council to hold full council meeting on Devolution plans
Warwickshire County Council will meet alongside District and Borough Councils to share views and aspirations on Devolution
Since the Government White Paper for Devolution was issued in December, councillors across Warwickshire have voiced differing opinions.
Devolution is the local government reorganisation of merging district and county councils into one unitary authority.
Whilst the process may give more power to local authorities, in managing areas of public life without central government approval, some councillors in Warwickshire believe the process should be carefully considered.
Leader of Warwick District Council, Cllr Ian Davidson, is cautious that the process of devolution may cause tensions.
Cllr Davidson said: “In Warwickshire there's a big tension over whether a unitary authority will geographically work.
“If you look at the map, you've got Coventry in the middle. So, in fact it should be split in two and have North Warwickshire and South Warwickshire as two unitary authorities.
“The government says there should be a sensible economic geographies and splitting makes it sensible economically.”
The planned meeting will allow councillors to address questions they have on reorganisation, something which Cllr Davidson shared with us.
Cllr Davidson said: “This is the biggest change in local government here for 50 years, and it shouldn't be done in a rush.
“We should look at it and say sensibly, what's the best thing for residents of Warwickshire?
“Should it be split? Should it be wider? What should it be? So, we should do that sensibly and get evidence rather than let's rush as fast as possible in to it.”
The concerns of Cllr Davidson are also shared by Councillor Susan Juned, leader of Stratford Upon Avon District Council.
Cllr Juned said: “The one thing that I am the most concerned with is that the lack of consultation with local people, the lack of consultation with district councils, with councillors and staff.
“I do not support the local government reorganisation because I think that local government should be kept local.”
The full council is expected to meet at the end of January to voice these concerns with one another.
Whilst councillors have shared their separate views, this public discussion will serve as a platform for all voices to be heard and considered as Warwick District Council formulates its official response.
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