THE merger submission for Stratford District and Warwick District councils has been sent to Parliament.
It follows last week’s decision by the two authorities to seek a merger and now a formal document has been sent to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove MP, to request his permission for a full political unification to create a South Warwickshire District Council.
To mark this historic event group leaders from across the political spectrum gathered at the Longbridge Island, junction 15 of the M42, which borders both districts and is a well-used crossing point.
Councillor Andrew Day, Leader of Warwick District Council said: “This is a momentous day for both authorities and I am proud and delighted that councillors have given their overwhelming backing for us to start this journey together to build a strong and agile council to serve all our residents.
“We are optimistic that if agreed this will lead to a bright future for local government in South Warwickshire.”
Coun Tony Jefferson, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: “We need to adapt to a changing world.
Both sets of councillors recognised this.
“With this decision taken a lot of hard work will now begin to ensure the success of South Warwickshire and deliver benefits for residents.”
Alcester’s Coun Susan Juned, leader of Stratford District Council’s Liberal Democrat group said they had raised a number of concerns over the proposed merger but that these had been accepted in the report that has gone forward.
“We wanted to make sure that there was not a democratic deficit – that is that residents should know who their local councillor is and that residents can access services as close as possible.
“Warwick District Council has its own social housing and its own housing company and Stratford would like to find a way to have some sort of competition for the housing associations, as we are aware that there is a need for social and affordable housing in places like Alcester and Studley.
“Both councils have a good approach to climate change, but we wanted to make sure it was high on the agenda.
“These issues being accepted, we were happy for the report to go forward.”
The submission document for the creation of a South Warwickshire District Council can be found at: (Public Pack)Proposal to create a South Warwickshire District Council (report and appendices) Agenda Supplement for Council
