May 2026 Elections

2026 Borough Council Elections Ahead of Shadow Authority (2027) and Abolition (2028)

Question, Will the council elected in 2026 (14 Cllrs out of 42) meaningfully shape outcomes during a transition towards a new unitary authority, or primarily act as a caretaker body managing handover?

Local elections and the council’s future

8th January Rugby Borough Council Cabinet Meeting to discuss the item RBC Cabinet

There’s a live debate about whether full borough council elections should take place in 2026, given that a shadow authority is expected to be elected in 2027 and the Borough council is due to be abolished in 2028.

Some people feel elections should continue right up to the end to keep democratic accountability strong. Others question whether it makes sense to hold full elections for a council that will exist for only a short time and mainly manage the transition to the new authority.

The key issue is whether councillors elected in 2026 would have enough real influence to justify another full election, or whether the council would largely act as a caretaker body ahead of reorganisation.

Value of 2026 Elections ahead of Shadow Authority (2027) and Abolition (2028) The central issue is not whether elections are democratic, but:

Would the 2026 council meaningfully shape outcomes, or primarily manage a handover of Rugby Borough Council with a new Town Council and would it be fit for the future?

Only 14 Cllrs out of 42Cllrs are up for election one third with Reform wanting to take control.

• A 2026 election provides formal democratic legitimacy, but risks limited practical authority.
• Overlap with a 2027 shadow authority raises concerns about clarity, leadership, and accountability.
• The closer the council is to being a caretaker body, the weaker the case for a full electoral refresh.
• The Government lays down an order to stop spending

Question Is spending £160,000 of taxpayers money on the Borough Council 2026 election a waste of Council Tax?

It’s a fair question to ask.

In 2026:

• The council would spend £160,000
• Residents would elect only 14 councillors out of 42
• The council is due to be abolished in 2028
• A new shadow council is elected in 2027

That means a lot of money is being spent to change only a third of the council, for councillors who will be in post for a short time and mainly manage the council’s closure.

Nationally the party has made it clear Liberal Democrat Statement