LIBERAL DEMOCRATS DEMAND ANSWERS OVER COST OF PAUSED COUNCIL REORGANISATION

Worcester’s Liberal Democrat councillors have challenged the Labour-led City Council over the public money already spent preparing for Local Government Reorganisation, following the Government’s decision to pause and review the programme.

At Tuesday’s Full Council meeting, Liberal Democrat group co-leader Councillor Mel Allcott asked the Leader to disclose the total amount Worcester City Council has spent or committed to preparing for reorganisation—including staffing, consultants, legal advice, communications and redundancy-related costs.

She also asked how much had been funded by central government, how much could fall on Worcester taxpayers and whether the Leader would publish a full breakdown and seek reimbursement from the Government if the plans are delayed, changed or abandoned.

The Leader responded that £1.6 million had been set aside.

The Government announced in July that Worcester City Council, Worcestershire County Council and the county’s five other district councils would be replaced by two unitary authorities in April 2028. However, on 7 September, the Worcestershire plans were paused and placed under review.

Significant preparatory work was already under way. Money had been spent, redundancies and council employees had made important decisions about their working lives and futures. 

Councillor Mel Allcott said:

“Residents have a right to know how much public money has already been spent or committed on a process that the Government has now thrown into uncertainty.

“Worcester City Council was required to work towards the Government’s timetable, but local taxpayers should not be left carrying the cost of a national decision to pause or change course. The Labour administration must be completely transparent about the expenditure incurred and press its own Government to reimburse Worcester for any money that has been wasted.”

Councillor Jessie Jagger, co-leader of the Worcester Liberal Democrat group, said:

“This is not only about figures on a spreadsheet. Serious, life-changing decisions based on the expectation that the existing councils would disappear in 2028.

“Staff deserve urgent clarity about what the Government’s review now means for them and must not be left in limbo because ministers have changed direction.”

The Worcester Liberal Democrat group is calling for a full, transparent account of the City Council’s LGR-related expenditure and commitments, together with clarity about any redundancy costs, government funding and any costs that could ultimately fall on Worcester taxpayers.