Local election delay divides councillors

Borough councillors in Warwickshire are divided over whether local elections in May should be delayed by local government reorganisation.

In a letter to Alison McGovern, minister of state for local government, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council members have submitted their formal responses to the option to delay.

The differing positions of political group leaders on the authority - which is under no overall control - were provided by Labour group leader Chris Watkins.

He said his band of 18 sought a postponement to elections because "it was felt that holding [them] for a local authority that is shortly to be abolished is not a prudent use of resources". Other members take a different view.

Kris Wilson, leader of the Conservative group, warned delaying elections could lead to "extraordinarily long terms of office" for existing members, adding "democracy delayed is democracy denied".

It comes after the government told councils in two-tier areas to submit proposals for a move to unitary systems, as part of local government reorganisation plans.

Currently, Warwickshire is run via a two-tier system, with the county council as the upper tier.

Ministers have indicated they will agree to postpone May's elections until 2027, if authorities request it by mid-January.

Nuneaton and Bedworth previously backed a formal proposal to form one of two new unitary authorities in the county alongside North Warwickshire, Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon councils.

The county council and Rugby Borough Council have also indicated a preference, but for a single unitary authority.

Wilson, who represents 17 members, said he thought it unlikely Warwickshire's new authority would be established by 2028 as had been proposed.

Green leader Michele Kondakor, who represents two members, said they agreed this year's election should go ahead

Lib Dem member councillor Rob Roze said he saw "no grounds" for postponing the elections, adding "the lack of clarity of reorganisation is damaging the trust in the council and councillors".

Chief Executive Tom Shardlow wrote preparations for May's elections were progressing, with venues booked and staff trained.

He said postponement may save the authority between £150,000 and £200,000, but added: "Several members had historically indicated that they only wished to serve until May 2026, so the prospect of by-election may diminish this proportionately."

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