Devolution

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A public consultation has been launched over proposals for changes to councils across Worcestershire as part of the biggest shake-up of local government in more than 50 years.

The Government is requiring 21 areas of England to restructure their system of local government before 2029. 

There are two parts to the Government’s proposed changes: 

Local Government Reorganisation: where the Government is looking to replace Bromsgrove District, Malvern Hills District, Redditch Borough, Worcester City, Worcestershire County, Wychavon District and Wyre Forest District Councils with fewer councils. 

Devolution: where the Government is looking to transfer powers and funding to new Strategic Authorities (also called Combined Authorities) that cover a number of new council areas and are responsible for large projects such as transport, infrastructure, and economic development. 

Many of the District Councils are supporting the creation of two unitary councils. The current County Council is supporting the creation of one single unitary authority for the entire area.

Please go to the relevant websites below to find out more.

Parish councils in Worcestershire have been taking part in the consultation regarding Devolution. Grimley Parish Council has responded to support the creation of two unitary councils.  Discussion has been taking place in relation to concerns arising from the proposed reorganisation and how this may affect Parish Councils. These included highways issues, planning, flooding and the lengthsman scheme. It has been agreed that it would be beneficial for Parish Councils to work together in a cluster to ensure strong representation at Unitary level. More will be posted here once the final decision on the unitary structure has been made by Central Government.

Malvern Hills District Council website for Devolution:

Local Government Reorganisation - Malvern Hills District Council

Worcestershire County Council website for Devolution:

Local government reorganisation and devolution | Worcestershire County Council

As of 16/07/2026:

Unitary Decision for Worcestershire

North and South Unitary is the decision

The seven leaders of Worcestershire’s councils have issued a joint statement.

“The debate is now over and we have a clear direction from the Government. Today, we come together to express our commitment to work collectively to make these new arrangements a success for residents, businesses and communities across the county.

“The decision also provides important clarity for staff across our councils, allowing us to fully focus on planning and delivering an effective transition without any negative impact on the services residents currently receive.

“Throughout this process, there have been strongly held and sincerely expressed views about the future structure of local government in Worcestershire. We recognise councils and residents have approached this debate from different perspectives.

“Now, moving forward, our shared priority will be ensuring every part of Worcestershire is properly represented and local voices continue to shape the decisions which must be made by April 2028.

“Above all, we are united in our determination to deliver high-quality, financially sustainable, transformed services that meet the needs of our communities both now and in the future.

“This is a moment of enormous change that will create exciting new opportunities but also great challenge. We will seize these with renewed purpose as we work together to build a strong and sustainable future for the people of Worcestershire.”

The decision means from 1 April 2028, the seven existing county, city, borough and district councils will be abolished and replaced by:

  • North Worcestershire Council: covering the areas currently served by Bromsgrove District, Redditch Borough and Wyre Forest District Councils.
  • South Worcestershire Council: covering Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District Councils.

03/08/2026 - A Letter from the South Worcestershire Leaders

Dear residents, So now we know. From April 2028, we will have a North Worcestershire Council and a South Worcestershire Council, delivering all services from bin collections to roads and social care for children and adults. As leaders of the three district councils in South Worcestershire, we believe this is the right decision, not just for the communities we serve, but for the whole county.

Moving to a unitary is a government decision. It has to happen and we are fully behind a South Worcestershire unitary. Our task now is to make reorganisation a success. The people of Worcestershire will expect us to focus less on yesterday's arguments and more on tomorrow's opportunities. That is the responsibility we all now share.

There is a long and complex road ahead. Working with Worcestershire County Council and our colleagues in the north, we are determined to seize this once-in-a generation opportunity to transform services, move towards long-term financial sustainability, and deliver better outcomes for residents.

The proposal for two councils emerged from extensive public consultation. You told us it was important to reflect the distinct character of north and south Worcestershire, keep decision-making close to communities and protect the local services people rely on. We’re pleased the Government listened to your voice, but you still have a key role to play.

The creation of unitary councils will enable the next stage of local government reorganisation and the devolution of power from Whitehall. This means that more decisions will be made locally by people who know Worcestershire well. The subsequent formation in stage two of what are called strategic authorities, consisting of a number of new unitary councils constructively working together under a mayoral structure, allows the possibility of control of infrastructure development in our region supporting the economic growth and jobs that we need. As the English White Paper says, “The number one mission of this government is to relight the fire of our economy and ignite growth in every region”. To that end, we stand ready to play our part in making local government reorganisation and English devolution a success.

Over the next nine months, your existing councils will help shape the new authorities. In May next year, you will elect the councillors who will lead the final preparations before the new councils take over on 1 April 2028. For many councillors, this will be the final chapter of a lifetime of public service. For others, it will be the beginning of a new one.

Whatever the future holds, it has been the greatest privilege to serve the people of Malvern Hills, Worcester and Wychavon. Until our final day, we will remain focused on serving our communities. History will judge this moment not by the councils we create, but by the difference they make to people's lives. Our responsibility is to ensure the new councils inherit strong services, sound finances and thriving communities. That is the legacy we aim to leave. A new and strong economic voice.

Councillor John Gallagher Leader of Malvern Hills District Council

Councillor Lynn Denham Leader of Worcester City Council

Councillor Richard Morris Leader of Wychavon District Council

21/08/2026 Statement from the Parish Clerk in response to resident questions

"At the moment, the final shape of local government devolution in Worcestershire has not yet been determined, and many details remain subject to consultation and decisions by central government and local authorities. As a result, it is too early to say exactly what changes there may be for parish councils, what responsibilities they may take on, or whether there will be any impact on parish budgets.

What we can reassure residents is that Grimley Parish Council is closely following developments and is keeping informed through Worcestershire's local government networks and sector bodies. We are actively monitoring proposals as they emerge so that we can understand any opportunities, challenges, or new responsibilities that may affect the parish.

If changes are introduced in the future, the Parish Council will work proactively to protect local representation and ensure residents continue to receive a strong voice in local decision-making. As more details become known, the Parish Council will ensure the community is kept informed and has opportunities to ask questions and express its views."

07/09/2026 Government’s official media release on "Local Government Reorganisation Pause"

REVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION LAUNCHED

  • Review launched into plans to streamline local government following legal advice, to ensure it is robust and aligns with new government priorities
  • Part of Prime Minister’s determination to rewire the state and shift power into the hands of local communities to drive good growth in every postcode 
  • Decisions on reorganisation in Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk withdrawn
  • Plans for 14 further areas announced will also be reviewed, alongside the two areas yet to be confirmed – Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex  

A review of plans to streamline local government is set to be announced later today (7th September) to ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new government’s plans to rewire the state.  

Following updated and privileged legal advice, ministers will review plans for Local Government Reorganisation.  

The review – which will be announced by the Secretary of State later today in Parliament – will include decisions on Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, which have been withdrawn in light of new legal advice.  

Plans for 14 other areas, along with Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex, will also be reviewed and paused while this is carried out. 

To reassure local leaders and communities while this review takes place, the government will confirm that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries and remains committed to effective and sustainable local government and simplifying these structures.  

The government's Rewiring the State White Paper on devolution will also set out plans to rewire the country and ensure effective and sustainable local government in future. 

This comes on the back of the push to shift power out of Westminster and into communities, led by No10 North.  

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner is expected to tell Parliament today: “As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay.    

“The Prime Minister told the House last week, he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to 'do that'.  

“[..] In that context, in light of legal advice, I want to satisfy myself firstly that the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law. And secondly, I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new Prime Minister and any additional considerations.  

“[..] I do not take this lightly. I recognise the huge amount of work that has already gone into progressing reorganisation in each of these areas, and I am very grateful for it.”  

Reorganisation in Surrey will not be affected by the review and the two new unitary authorities – East and West Surrey – will go live in April 2027.  

The Secretary of State will update the House on this later today.   

ENDS  

Notes to editors:  

  • The Secretary of State has considered legal advice and decided to withdraw the decisions for the four places announced in March – Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. For the avoidance of doubt no privilege is waived.  
  • The 14 areas as part of tranche 3 of the local government reorganisation programme will also be part of the internal review. These areas are:  
  • Derby & Derbyshire  
  • Devon, Plymouth & Torbay 
  • East Sussex & Brighton  
  • Gloucestershire  
  • Hertfordshire  
  • Kent & Medway  
  • Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen & Blackpool  
  • Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland  
  • Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire & North East Lincolnshire  
  • Nottingham & Nottinghamshire  
  • Oxfordshire and West Berkshire  
  • Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent  
  • Warwickshire  
  • Worcestershire  
  • The government has not yet taken decisions on Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and West Sussex, and these areas will be considered alongside the wider review. 
  • The review will not consider reorganisation in Surrey. The new unitary authorities have been established in legislation and elections have been held.

This Parish Council understand the following:

The statement says "the government will confirm that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries" so we expect that elections to Malvern Hills District Council in May 2027 will now take place as originally planned.

We await full details of the ongoing process - there is no suggestion at this stage that Devolution has been cancelled, it is just on pause. There will be further clarification for councils in the coming days but the suggestion is that all local government reorganisation will be delayed by at least 12 months.