The Overview and Scrutiny Performance Board of Worcestershire Council met on Monday 17 November 2025. The meeting's agenda focused on two primary areas: an update on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal for One Worcestershire and a review of the Board's work programme and the Cabinet Forward Plan. The discussions were based on reports provided to attendees, and the actual proceedings or decisions made are not detailed here.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) – One Worcestershire Proposal Update

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to the One Worcestershire proposal, which outlines plans for the establishment of a single unitary council for Worcestershire. This proposal aims to consolidate the existing county and district councils into one entity, with a target vesting day of 1 April 2028. The report pack detailed the strategic and financial rationale behind this proposal, developed by council officers with support from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The proposal was presented as a response to the English Devolution White Paper, which signalled a shift towards re-organising local government to improve services and ensure financial sustainability. The One Worcestershire business case was designed to address six key criteria set by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG): prioritising public services, fostering community engagement, ensuring the council is the right size for efficiency and capacity, supporting devolution, and maintaining a single tier of local government.

Key benefits highlighted in the proposal included simplified service access through a unified digital presence, consistent service quality across the county, integrated service delivery with a focus on outcomes, operational and financial efficiencies, and an empowered workforce. The report also detailed the risks associated with disaggregating services, particularly in areas like Adult Social Care and Children's Services, arguing that a single unitary authority would mitigate these risks and avoid increased costs and complexities.

The financial case for One Worcestershire was presented, emphasising a pathway to financial sustainability through prudent management of reserves, a modest sale of assets, and the efficiencies gained from a single-tier structure. The proposal aimed to address the significant financial challenges faced by local government, including unfunded growth, the use of Exceptional Financial Support (EFS), and increasing demand for services. The report also outlined the potential impact of council tax harmonisation and the borrowing position of the proposed new council.

The implementation plan for One Worcestershire was also detailed, outlining three phases: Mobilisation, Transition, and Transformation. This phased approach aimed to prepare governance, budgets, and engagement functions, followed by the establishment of a shadow council and the eventual full operation of the new authority. The plan emphasised the importance of engaging with residents and stakeholders throughout the process, with a focus on transparency and building trust.

Scrutiny Chairs and Lead Member Update, Work Programme and Cabinet Forward Plan

The Board was also scheduled to consider updates from Scrutiny Chairs and the Lead Member, review its Work Programme, and examine the Cabinet Forward Plan. This agenda item aimed to ensure Board members were informed about ongoing scrutiny activities across Worcestershire. Members were invited to provide feedback on recent Scrutiny meetings, Task Groups, and emerging issues within their remits.

The Board's 2025/26 Work Programme was presented for consideration, outlining key areas for scrutiny, including commissioning work for Scrutiny Panels, establishing Task Groups, advising on the Council's Policy Framework, and handling call-ins of executive decisions. The criteria used for prioritising scrutiny topics were also listed, focusing on council priorities, local resident concerns, practicability of outcomes, potential for improvement, examination of poor-performing services, and alignment with government guidance.

The Cabinet Forward Plan, which details key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet, was also scheduled for review. This allowed the Board to identify any issues arising from the plan that might warrant further scrutiny or inclusion in the Board's Work Programme.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies, declarations of interest, and confirmation of previous minutes. Public participation was also an agenda item, with provisions for members of the public to notify the council in advance if they wished to take part.