North & East Warwickshire
Rugby’s Future: Making Sure Our Town Has a Strong Voice
The Government has decided to proceed with Local Government Reorganisation, which will see Rugby Borough Council replaced by a new unitary authority covering Rugby, Nuneaton and Bedworth and North Warwickshire.
The Liberal Democrats did not want this reorganisation. We believe decisions about local services are often best made as close as possible to the people they affect. But the Government has made its decision, and we now need to make sure that Rugby gets the best possible outcome.
Our manifesto in May 2026 was entitled Standing up for Rugby
Since the news of a North & South Unitary with Rugby placed in the North a new Rugby Future Governance Committee, chaired by Cllr Jerry Roodhouse has been created. This Committee will help and support the process it will meet in public, and the papers will be on the RBC website.
The Committee held its first meeting on 27 July and will have an important job: to help manage the change, examine the proposals and make sure that Rugby's interests are properly represented.
Cllr Jerry Roodhouse said “This is not about party politics. It is about making sure that whatever the new arrangements look like, Rugby is not overlooked. We believe all political groups should work together constructively during this important period. There will always be disagreements in politics, but residents rightly expect their elected representatives to put the interests of Rugby first.
Protecting what belongs to Rugby.”
Plans are also being developed for the creation of a Rugby Town Council. Click to Fill in our survey
A Town Council could provide an important local voice and help protect community assets and services that matter to people in Rugby. The details will need careful consideration, including what responsibilities it should have, what assets could be transferred and how it would be funded.
Our approach is simple: if something matters to Rugby, we should do everything we reasonably can to protect it for the future.
For further information about Town Councils visit https://www.nalc.gov.uk/about/parish-and-town-councils.html
What next?
The Timetable for the changes
May 2027: Residents will vote in elections for the new Unitary Authority.
April 2028: The new Unitary Authority is expected to formally take over its responsibilities.
There will therefore be no further Borough Council elections. The existing Borough Council will continue through the transition period before being replaced by the new authority in 2028.
Your voice matters Click here Town Council Survey
These changes will affect how services are delivered for many years to come — from roads and planning to housing, social care, waste, parks and many other local services. That is why we want residents across Rugby to have a voice in what happens next. We may not have chosen this reorganisation, but we can choose how we respond to it.
Rugby deserves a strong voice. Rugby deserves to be heard. And Rugby's future must come first.
Town Councils do matter for further information from the national body NALC https://www.nalc.gov.uk/about/parish-and-town-councils.html
In Warwickshire the majority of towns, Kenilworth, Alcester and many more already have a Town Council Rugby does not see links to give you an idea
https://www.shrewsburytowncouncil.gov.uk/ https://www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/ https://www.leamingtonspatowncouncil.gov.uk/
Compare
Without a Town Council |
With a Town Council |
|---|---|
| No council solely focused on Rugby | Rugby has its own local voice |
| Decisions become more remote | Decisions made closer to residents |
| Less local accountability | Dedicated Rugby councillors |
| Risk of losing community assets | Assets protected locally |
| Larger authority sets priorities | Rugby sets its own priorities |
Let's Build Rugby's Future Together Click here for our survey
It's about protecting what makes Rugby special.
We believe in:
✔ Strong communities
✔ Local decision making
✔ Value for money
✔ Protecting local services
✔ Putting Rugby first
If you agree, please support your local Liberal Democrat team. join us make Rugby stronger
