THE BIGGEST shake-up of local councils in a generation being paused has a direct impact on what elections take place next year.
Worcestershire County Council and the county’s six district authorities had been set to be abolished in 2028 and replaced by two new unitary councils for north and south Worcestershire.
The timetable for this process, which the government calls local government reorganisation (LGR), would have seen elections to so-called ‘shadow’ authorities – the precursors to the new unitaries – take place in May 2027, with elected councillors then working in the background for 12 months while the existing councils were wound down.
But those plans are now on the back-burner, as the government reviews LGR following new legal advice.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said last week: “To reassure local leaders and communities while this review takes place, the government has confirmed that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries.”
What does LGR being paused mean for Worcestershire?
Elections to the county council take place every four years and last happened in 2025 so councillors still have another two-and-a-half years to serve on their current terms, unless the government sets a new date for shadow elections.
Worcester City Council historically used to elect its councillors in thirds but held its first set of ‘all-out’ elections in May 2024, with all 35 seats up for grabs. The city council’s next set of elections are due to be held in 2028.
CONTESTS: Malvern Hills District Council leader John Gallagher and deputy Jeremy Owenson’s seats will be among those up for election next year (Image: Phil Wilkinson-Jones/LDRS)
Malvern Hills District Council last held elections in 2023, with new ward boundaries meaning the number of seats had reduced from 38 to 31.
With LGR now paused, the council is now again due to hold elections in May 2027.
Similarly, Wychavon District Council held elections in 2023 with boundary changes reducing the number of seats available from 45 to 43.
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The authority also looks set to hold elections next year with LGR in review.
Bromsgrove District Council and Wyre Forest District Council are also due to hold all-up elections next year.
Redditch Borough Council, which elects in thirds, is due to make nine of its 27 seats up for grabs.
