Views sought in local government shake-up

Residents are being asked for their views on the biggest shake-up of local government in Worcestershire in decades.

The county council and six district councils will be scrapped by 1 April 2028.

Whether they are replaced by a single unitary authority for Worcestershire, providing all services for the whole county, or two councils covering the north and south of the county with each one providing services in their areas, is yet to be decided.

A new website called Shape Worcestershire is setting out the options and asking residents to get involved.

The four-week public engagement exercise is being run by the district councils - Worcester, Wychavon, Malvern Hills, Wyre Forest, Redditch and Bromsgrove - and runs until 29 June.

Feedback will be used to decide which of the two options to develop and put to government by 28 November.

Currently, Worcestershire County Council provides county-wide services such as highways and adult social care, while district councils provide local services including bin collections, street cleaning, planning, parks and leisure, and housing-related services.

The move to the new system of unitary councils providing all services was proposed by the government to make local government simpler, improve services and save money, a statement issued by the district councils said.

Town and parish councils will remain, but could have a greater role in the future in providing some services and representing communities.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.