“TIME TO GET ON WITH THE JOB”: LIBERAL DEMOCRATS CALL FOR CROSS-PARTY FOCUS ON WORCESTERSHIRE REORGANISATION

Worcestershire Liberal Democrats are calling on political leaders across the county to put residents first and work together following the Government’s decision on Local Government Reorganisation.

The Government has confirmed that Worcestershire’s county council and six district and borough councils will be replaced by two unitary authorities:

• North Worcestershire, covering Bromsgrove, Redditch and Wyre Forest; and
• South Worcestershire, covering Malvern Hills, Worcester and Wychavon.

The new councils will take responsibility for all local authority services, bringing together responsibilities currently divided between county and district councils—including social care, education, highways, waste collection, housing and planning.

The new authorities are due to take over on 1 April 2028, with elections to shadow authorities expected in May 2027. Existing councils will continue to provide services until the new arrangements come into effect.

The Liberal Democrats say the priority must now be to secure sufficient government funding, protect essential services and ensure residents have a strong voice throughout the transition.

The call follows continued political arguments over the Government’s decision. Bromsgrove Conservative MP Bradley Thomas has warned that it could place Bromsgrove at risk of being “consumed by Birmingham”—a suggestion Birmingham City Council has rejected.

Dan Boatright-Greene, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for West Worcestershire and Worcestershire county councillor, said:

“Local Government Reorganisation was not the change Worcestershire residents were asking their councils to prioritise—but the Government has made its decision. Our responsibility now is to make the new arrangements work for the people we represent.

“That means putting political point-scoring aside and getting the transition right. Staff need clarity, residents need to know that their services are secure, and both new councils must be financially sustainable from their first day.

“The Government must provide proper financial support for this enormous transition. Local taxpayers should not be expected to meet the cost of a reorganisation imposed from Westminster.

“Above all, we must protect the services people rely on most—including adult social care, education, SEND services, highways, planning and waste collection. There must be no loss of focus or interruption to those services while the new councils are being established.

“There will be many important decisions to make over the next two years. The Liberal Democrats will work constructively across party lines while standing up for Worcestershire’s communities and ensuring residents remain informed and involved throughout.”