Reform UK has criticised plans that could see new councils created in Worcester.
The party says introducing a new town or parish council would add unnecessary bureaucracy and increase costs for residents without delivering clear benefits.
Under proposals being considered as part of the transition to a unitary authority, residents are being consulted on whether Worcester should have a new, smaller council to maintain some local representation and services.
Phil Mabey, campaign manager for the Worcester City Branch of Reform UK, said: “The creation of a new town council or new parish councils would increase taxes and create an unnecessary extra layer of local government.
“In the current cost of living crisis we need to reduce taxes on hard working people not raise them.
CIVIC: Worcester Guildhall, home of the city council (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
“Reform want lower taxes whenever possible and the new councils would increase council taxes, make more jobs for politicians and create yet more bureaucracy.”
Worcester City Council is consulting on the Future Worcester proposals, which could see a town council or several parish councils established to represent the city following the introduction of a unitary authority in 2028.
Reform UK argues that existing unitary councillors would be capable of representing Worcester residents without the need for additional councils.
The party says a new council could increase costs for residents and lead to additional hiring of staff and more jobs for politicians.
Mr Mabey said: “All the things that a parish or town council could do would be provided by a unitary authority, and the elected unitary councillors would be perfectly able to represent Worcester people.”
The Future Worcester consultation forms part of a Community Governance Review and invites the public to share their views on whether the city should have a single town council covering the whole of the city or multiple parish councils.
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You may also think a new town council should include the whole of Worcester apart from St Peter’s and Warndon Villages, which already have parish councils.
Residents are encouraged to take part in the consultation and make their views known before a decision is made.
The consultation is open until Monday, June 15.