Local elections will be held in Warwickshire in May 2025, despite a bid to postpone a trip to the ballots for the county to be part of a local government shakeup.

Warwickshire County Council (WCC) had asked to be in the first wave of government changes which would have seen the county, borough and district councils abolished and a single authority created for Warwickshire.

The Conservative-led local authority had asked for permission to postpone the elections this spring to push ahead with the shakeup.

However, it has today (February 5) been announced the WCC elections will be held this year as planned.

Six counties have been included in the first wave of changes, but Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner today told MPs Warwickshire had not made the cut.

East and West Sussex, Essex and Thurrock, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Norfolk and Surrey will have their elections delayed.

WCC leader Cllr Izzi Seccombe said she was "disappointed" by the news.

"When these things come forward, you gear yourself up for this work," she said.

"I am a bit disappointed for the staff, we need to make sure our staff feel secure and I think it will make it quite difficult to recruit and retain. It is down to all of us to make sure everyone feels they are making a valued contribution."

Commenting on the announcement, Cllr Sarah Feeney, leader of the Labour group at WCC, said: "We are fully behind the Labour Government's devolution revolution which will see power shifted away from Westminster to Warwickshire but it's got to work for our residents here.

"Labour in Warwickshire will continue to work with our communities to make sure there is a plan people can get behind.

 "After 20 years of a Conservative county council, Warwickshire needs a fresh start. 

"We are fully focused on delivering for our residents in the upcoming elections.

"Warwickshire deserves better than four more years of Conservative failure."