The future of local government in Kenilworth could change on Monday when Warwick District Council votes on a possible merger with its Stratford counterpart.

The possible 'super council' for South Warwickshire could see the two districts merge by April 2024, bringing nearly 275,000 people under one authority.

With the vote just days away we have taken a look at the proposals and what they could mean for Kenilworth.

Already in motion

WDC and Stratford-Upon-Avon District Council have already begun to share staff, with the head of community and operational services and head of ICT roles already covering both districts.

The two councils have also already agreed a joint bin contract. For Kenilworth this will see a new three-weekly rota from next summer.

WDC and SDC have also already worked together on a joint local plan.

Next steps

Should the proposals be approved by both councils, as well as by the Secretary of State, the two bodies would begin the process of combining the remainder their shared services.

This would mean the management of parks and open space, licensing, housing, parking, environment, street cleaning and property and building management for Kenilworth would all then fall under the remit of 'South Warwickshire Council'.

A report by Deloitte estimated that there could be an annual saving of up to £4.6 million by year five of the merger. There could be a 3.9 per cent reduction in spending across the two districts.

To pay for the project, WDC will put aside £100,000 per year between 2021 and 2024 from the council's budget.

Concerns

Currently, Band D properties in Warwick District pay £27.74 more in council tax than their Stratford counterparts.

However, Kenilworth residents will not be benefitting from a decrease in tax should the councils merge. Stratford households will instead see a rise in tax bills - changes for which could begin in 2022/23.

The Deloitte report also raises concerns over a 'domestic deficit'. Currently there are 44 elected members of WDC, however if the two councils merge this will not double to 88. As such the democratic voice of the individual will be lessened as wards increase in size.

Further concerns have been raised over the 'diseconomies of scale,' that a bigger council with a bigger budget does not necessarily mean a better service for taxpayers.

Voters may also be concerned that there will be a lessened response to distinctive local needs. With the council covering a much larger area, and with fewer councillors dedicated to Kenilworth there is a real possibility that the town will receive less attention from local government.

Similarly, local services in Kenilworth may also be compromised as the financial burden of the merger as well as the administrative complexity of the development may detract from the efficiency of district council services.

There is also the possibility that the current uncertainties over Covid-19 will also complicate the issue.

Should both councils approve the plans, a merger would have to also be approved by the Secretary of State and the Department of Communities and Local Government before it was sent to the House of Commons and House of Lords.

(Images via James Smith and google.maps)