Liberal Democrats have welcomed the outcome of the public interest debate at yesterday’s County Council meeting, where councillors decided by an overwhelming margin to pursue further the opportunities for unitary local government across Warwickshire. All Lib Dem county councillors present voted for the motion, and also voted to defeat a Labour amendment which called for no further action to be taken.

The debate was initiated by the Lib Dems last October, when the County Group Leader Cllr Jerry Roodhouse wrote to the other group leaders calling for an open and honest discussion of the matter.

Yesterday’s debate attracted a wide range of public speakers to participate, including business representatives and town and parish councillors, almost all of whom were in favour of the unitary idea being explored further. Regrettably, with one exception the leaders of the district and borough councils in Warwickshire chose not to attend.

As the review now moves forward, Lib Dems call on all parties to put aside tribal differences and vested interests, and to consider the evidence for and against unitary local government on its merits. We believe that the final decision must rest with the people of Warwickshire through a referendum.