Kenilworth councillors were divided along party lines as the district council backed plans to form a new 'super council' for South Warwickshire last night (December 13).

Warwick District Council approved a complete merger with its Stratford counterparts after the controversial motion received 23 votes for and 12 against.

The vote was essentially split by party with the majority of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats voting in favour, and Labour and Green councillors voting against.

This was also true of Kenilworth's representatives with the Tories and Lib Dems backing the merger, and the Greens voting it down.

In a statement following last night's meeting Kenilworth Liberal Democrats welcomed the plan saying it builds on the shared services already in place.

"It's to make complex, practical decisions like this that councillors are elected," said Cllr Andrew Milton (Lib Dem, Ken St John's).

"During the debate politicians from all parties agreed they wanted to see decisions and budgets based at the lowest level possible if there is both appetite and capacity to deliver services.

"But we also have to face the grown-up reality of budget constraints and it's better we start this process of reorganisation now rather than have a new and less welcome model of local government imposed on us from Westminster."

Speaking at last night's meeting Cllr John Cooke (Con, Ken Abbey & Arden) also gave his support, saying the collaborations already in place had been a success.

He said: "I fully support this merger. Our joint work on the South Warwickshire local plan shows that between the two councils we have the knowledge, the technical ability and the leadership to deliver an imaginative south Warwickshire plan.

"Both councils have a similar ethos and a wish to do the best for their council tax payers."

But Green party councillors remained unconvinced and said more information was needed before a final decision should be made.

Cllr Alix Dearing (Green, Ken Park Hill) said: "I appreciate the financial pressures, I see how the Stratford link could be positive, and I am happy with how the first stages of cooperative workings have begun.

"But I still don't understand what the financial advantages are of a political merger over an administrative merger. It is not clear where the savings will come from or how large they will be.

"And it should not be at this breakneck pace - measure twice and cut once."

The two councils had already started to combine bin collection services and other administrative work, but yesterday's decision approved a full political merger.

Both WDC and SDC (who also approved the plans) will now write to the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to approve the merger.

Kenilworth councillors votes in full:

For

• Cllr John Cooke (Con, Ken Abbey & Arden)
• Cllr Richard Hales (Con, Ken Abbey & Arden)
• Cllr George Illingworth (Con, Ken Abbey & Arden)
• Cllr Richard Dickson (Lib Dem, Ken St John's)
• Cllr Kate Dickson (Lib Dem, Ken St John's)
• Cllr Andrew Milton (Lib Dem, Ken St John's)

• Cllr James Kennedy (Green, Ken Park Hill)
• Cllr Alix Dearing (Green, Ken Park Hill)
• Cllr John Dearing (Green, Ken Park Hill)