Worcestershire County Council has spent £325,000 on consultancy firm PwC to develop plans for a potential ‘super council’ to replace the existing county and district councils.
The payment was disclosed during a recent scrutiny panel meeting as Worcestershire prepares for major local government reorganization set for 2028. Currently, Worcestershire comprises the county council and six district councils, all of which are set to be abolished. New unitary authorities will then take their place.
Worcestershire County Council, along with Wyre Forest District Council, supports a ‘One Worcestershire’ vision, proposing a single unitary authority covering the entire county. This idea has often been referred to as a ‘super council’ in prior discussions.
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In contrast, the other five districts—Worcester, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, Redditch, and Bromsgrove—advocate for the creation of two separate unitary councils, split between northern and southern Worcestershire.
Both competing proposals are scheduled to be submitted to the Government this month, with a decision expected in the spring.
During Monday’s overview and scrutiny performance board meeting, Councillor Natalie McVey asked for a breakdown of the costs associated with the ‘One Worcestershire’ plan.
Phil Rook, the council’s Chief Financial Officer, explained that the initial cost appraisal was £75,000. This was followed by an additional £50,000 to refine the work, and a final £200,000 for further leadership sessions, target operating model development, and additional background work.
He also noted that the council received approximately £38,000 in Government funding to help cover these expenses.
Councillor Seb James questioned whether the expenditure provided value for money, pointing out that the report raised more questions than answers about Worcestershire’s future governance.
Mr. Rook responded by emphasizing the difficult decisions ahead, reminding the panel that the council is under exceptional financial support requirements that need to be repaid. He outlined ongoing collaboration with PwC to model the authority’s future financial sustainability, including potential council tax increases and asset sales.
Meanwhile, the proposal for forming two unitary authorities by Worcester, Malvern Hills, Wychavon, Redditch, and Bromsgrove councils has been developed with support from consultants Mutual Ventures and has recently been presented by KPMG.