Plans for new South and North Worcestershire Council's backed
The two-council model is expected to deliver approximately £9 million in annual savings
Last updated 26th Nov 2025
Worcester City Council has approved plans to create two new unitary councils in Worcestershire as part of the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation.
Councillors overwhelmingly backed the Transforming Worcestershire proposal during a full Council meeting held on 25th November.
Under the proposal, the existing six district councils and Worcestershire County Council would be replaced with two councils: one for North Worcestershire and one for South Worcestershire.
The plan aims to bring council services closer to communities while focusing on local needs for residents, businesses, and visitors.
The model follows feedback from this summer's Shape Worcestershire engagement survey, which showed public support for a two-council approach.
The survey found that 62.5% of respondents preferred this model, highlighting a desire for locally focused and responsive councils.
Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Worcester City, Redditch Borough and Wychavon District councils have jointly developed the plan.
Key reforms include:
- Shifting public services from crisis response to a prevention-focused approach
- Driving long-term financial sustainability through a focus on outcomes
- Creating communities that feel more connected and empowered by keeping decision-making close to them
- Delivering local services that respond faster to everyday issues
- Reshaping support for vulnerable adults so they can live healthier, happier and safer lives
- New approaches to supporting children and families that enable them to stay together
- Providing young people with better access to skills and jobs
- Housing provision that doesn’t just provide shelter but supports healthier lives
- Economic strategies tailored to the needs of people and businesses in local areas, to unlock growth.
Key strategic services such as highways, public health, and waste disposal would remain county-wide, but both councils intend to collaborate on some areas, including parts of adult social care and children’s services.
The two-council model is expected to deliver approximately £9 million in annual savings.
Though this is less than the £21 million anticipated from an alternative single-council proposal, the transformation of services could secure further savings over time and offer more sustainable outcomes.
Councillor Lynn Denham, Leader of Worcester City Council, said: “I am delighted that the Transforming Worcestershire plan has been supported by Worcester city councillors, because this is the only option for local government reorganisation in Worcestershire that has been developed by listening to what local people and partners want.
“We’ve listened to their feedback and we’ve developed a plan that reflects their desires to have services provided at a local level, not a one-size-fits-all approach for the whole county
“Our two-councils model will reflect local identities and priorities, and allow for collaboration on county-wide services while delivering more effectively at a community level. This is a plan powered by place and built for the future. Alongside the leaders of the other councils that have developed it, I urge the Government to support this positive approach to local government reorganisation in our county.”
The Transforming Worcestershire plan will now be submitted to the Government, with formal consultation expected by early 2026 and a decision to be made by July.
If approved, the new councils are planned to be operational by April 2028.