Why is the site grey? In memory of Sir Patrick Stewart (1940–2026), who gave 16 years to the RSC in Stratford

Stratford and Warwick to Share One New Council From 2029

The government is minded to split Warwickshire into two unitary councils, with Stratford and Warwick districts together in the south. Here's the timetable and what it means.

By Alex Harrington 2 min read Source: GOV.UK (MHCLG) and Warwickshire councils' joint statement
Shire Hall on Northgate Street, Warwick, the headquarters of Warwickshire County Council
Shire Hall, Warwick. Photo: Richard Kelly, CC BY 4.0

Stratford-on-Avon District Council is set to be replaced by a single new council covering both the Stratford and Warwick districts from April 2029. The government said on Thursday 29 October that it is “minded to” go ahead with splitting Warwickshire into two unitary councils: one for the south of the county (Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick districts) and one for the north (North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, and Rugby).

On this page
  1. What the government announced
  2. The timetable
  3. What the councils said
  4. What it means for you now

Each new council would take over everything the district and borough councils and Warwickshire County Council do now. For Stratford, that means bins, planning, council tax, car parks, roads, schools, libraries and social care would all sit with one council for the first time.

What the government announced

Warwickshire is one of five areas where ministers now plan to go ahead, after reviewing the programme in September and pausing work on it. The others are East Sussex with Brighton and Hove, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Worcestershire. The Warwickshire plan the government prefers is the two-council proposal put forward by Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick, North Warwickshire and Nuneaton and Bedworth councils.

It isn’t final yet. There will be at least three weeks for further representations before ministers take their final decision.

The timetable

  • Now: at least three weeks for further representations, then the government’s final decision (no date given yet).
  • May 2027: local elections in the reorganisation areas go ahead as planned, on the existing council boundaries. Stratford-on-Avon District Council’s elections are due then.
  • May 2028: elections to “shadow” councils, which plan the handover.
  • April 2029: the new councils take over, according to the Warwickshire councils’ joint statement.

What the councils said

All six Warwickshire councils, including the county council, issued a joint statement the same day. They said councils in the county had “held different views” on the best structure, but would now work together, with protecting the services residents rely on as the shared priority. They also said they need clear information from the government about the timetable, the funding and the next steps.

What it means for you now

Nothing changes yet. Bins, council tax, planning applications and parking all carry on with Stratford-on-Avon District Council, and roads, schools and libraries with Warwickshire County Council, until the new council starts. The government hasn’t said what will happen to council tax levels or where the new council will be based. We’ll report those details when they’re published.

For background, see our reports on the district council’s 12 October meeting, where councillors debated the cost of reorganisation, and the county council’s budget consultation. More council news is on our council page.

Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.

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