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‘Super council’ will do things ‘to’ communities not ‘with’ them - Kenilworth councillor

By James Smith   16th Oct 2025

Cllr Richard Dickson: 'With two unitary authorities people are more likely to feel part of their community, to feel they belong' (image supplied)
Cllr Richard Dickson: 'With two unitary authorities people are more likely to feel part of their community, to feel they belong' (image supplied)

A Kenilworth councillor who backed creating two new councils to split Warwickshire in half said a new 'super council' for the county will be detached from the communities it serves.

Speaking at Tuesday's (October 14) Warwickshire County Council (WCC) meeting, Cllr Richard Dickson said a single new local authority for the region would "do things to people and to communities".

Whereas a council for each of the north and south of Warwickshire "is much more likely to work" as it would "work with" the communities to design it, he argued.

In a vote that split parties, WCC decided to push ahead with plans for a single new council for Warwickshire at Tuesday's meeting.

The county's report estimates a £68 million saving with one council over the first five years and predicts that the greater need for statutory services in the north could see that area run out of money by year three if there was a north-south split.

Ultimately the single option gained 30 votes out of 47 with 14 against and three abstentions.

Speaking against the plans, Cllr Dickson said: "The one thing that residents want is the best possible local services, delivered by people working together.

"Best defined not solely by cost, but by an appropriate quality.

"That's the change they want to put their trust and hope in.

"That's why the two unitary model is worthy of consideration.

"With two unitary authorities people are more likely to feel part of their community, to feel they belong."

Four of the five district and borough councils have already said they want a north-south split.

Only Rugby Borough Council is yet to voice an opinion.

The Greens pushed on Tuesday to ask the government to reconsider the idea of local reorganisation, but this garnered little support.

Meanwhile, Cllr Dickson also urged councillors to consider local government reorganisation not as a destination, but as a journey.

He continued: "To sum up, my plea to whoever leads the people of Warwickshire through this change is this.

"Remember this is a long journey of change.

"And secondly, if Warwickshire is to be a great place for future generations to live in, to work in and to visit, let's never forget in this change that culture eats strategy for breakfast."

     

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