The Government has announced a review of its Local Government Reorganisation programme following updated legal advice.
Warwickshire is one of 14 areas where proposals will be reviewed and paused while the Government considers whether the process is legally robust and aligned with its priorities.
The Government has also confirmed that councils with local elections scheduled for May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries. Although, Nuneaton and Bedworth does not have elections scheduled for that time.
Tom Shardlow, Chief Executive of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said:
“We note the Government’s announcement and will consider the details carefully.
“At this stage, we do not know the full implications for Local Government Reorganisation in Warwickshire. We will continue to engage with the Government as further information becomes available.
“We will provide updates for residents, staff and councillors when we have greater clarity.”
Cllr George Finch, Leader of the Council, said:
"I am deeply disappointed by the amount of taxpayers’ money, officer time, and resources that have been consumed by Local Government Reorganisation to this point.
“Local government exists to deliver vital services for residents, and every pound spent by councils should be used as effectively as possible to support our communities. Instead, councils are being asked to devote significant time and resource to a reorganisation process at a time when budgets are already under enormous pressure.
“The money and officer time would be better utilised on maintaining frontline services, supporting vulnerable residents, improving our communities, and tackling issues that matter most locally.
“We owe it to our residents to ensure that any future reorganisation delivers clear, measurable benefits, and that the cost of getting there does not come at the expense of services our communities need today.
“I expected that Local Government Reorganisation would not go ahead according to the timetable set out by Government, and that appears to have rung true.”
The Council remains focused on delivering services for residents, communities, and businesses across the borough and will update residents once further information becomes available.