Warwick District

Last updated
Warwick District
Non-metropolitan district
Upper Parade, Leamington 5.23.jpg
Leamington Spa, the largest settlement in the district.
Warwick UK locator map.svg
Shown within Warwickshire
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region West Midlands
Administrative county Warwickshire
Admin. HQLeamington Spa
Government
 •  MPs: Matt Western (L)
Jeremy Wright (C)
Area
 • Total
109 sq mi (283 km2)
 • Rank 124th
Population
 (2021 census)
 • Total
148,500
 • Rank 143rd
 • Density1,360/sq mi (524/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)
[1]
 •  Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[1]
 •  Religion
List
Time zone UTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
ONS code 44UF (ONS)
E07000222 (GSS)

Warwick is a local government district in Warwickshire, England. It is named after the historic county town of Warwick, which is the district's second largest town; the largest town is Royal Leamington Spa, where the council is based. The district also includes the towns of Kenilworth and Whitnash and surrounding villages and rural areas. Leamington Spa, Warwick and Whitnash form a conurbation which has about two thirds of the district's population. [2]

Contents

The neighbouring districts are Rugby, Stratford-on-Avon, Solihull and Coventry.

History

The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. The new district was formed through the merger of four former districts, which were all abolished at the same time: [3]

The new district was named Warwick after the county town. [4]

Proposals to merge the district with neighbouring Stratford-on-Avon District were put forward in 2021 and provisionally agreed, before eventually being abandoned in April 2022. [5] [6]

Governance

Warwick Avon District Council
Warwick District Council logo.svg
Type
Type
Leadership
Naveen Tangri,
Green
since 14 May 2025 [7]
Ian Davison,
Green
since 17 May 2023
Chris Elliott
since 2006 [8]
Structure
Seats44 councillors
WDC makeup August 2025.svg
Political groups
Administration (21)
  Green (15)
  Labour (6)
Other parties (21)
  Liberal Democrats (10)
  Conservative (5)
  Independent (3)
  Whitnash RA (3)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
First past the post
Last election
 4 May 2023
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
Leamington Spa Town Hall (1) 5.23.jpg
Town Hall, The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32 4AT
Website
www.warwickdc.gov.uk

Warwick District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Warwickshire County Council. [9] The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government. [10]

Political control

The council has been under no overall control since 2019. Following the 2023 election a coalition of the Greens and Labour formed to run the council, led by Green councillor Ian Davison. [11]

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing councils before coming into its powers on 1 April 1974. Since 1974 political control of the council has been as follows: [12] [13]

Party in controlYears
No overall control 1974–1976
Conservative 1976–1995
No overall control 1995–2007
Conservative 2007–2019
No overall control 2019–present

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1974 have been:

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Ken Rawnsley [14] Conservative 1974May 1991
Tony Dalton [15] [16] Conservative May 1991May 1995
Ian Dove [17] [18] [19] Labour 1995Apr 2000
Margaret Begg [20] [21] Liberal Democrats 19 Apr 2000May 2001
Ian Dove [21] [22] Labour May 2001Apr 2002
Bob Crowther [23] [24] Labour 24 Apr 20022007
Michael Coker [25] [26] Conservative 16 May 20072008
Michael Doody [27] [28] Conservative 14 May 20084 Dec 2013
Andrew Mobbs [29] [30] Conservative 4 Dec 2013May 2019
Andrew Day [31] [32] Conservative 15 May 2019May 2023
Ian Davison [33] Green 17 May 2023

Composition

Following the 2023 election, [34] and subsequent changes of allegiance and by-elections up to August 2025, the composition of the council was: [35]

PartyCouncillors
Green 15
Liberal Democrats 10
Labour 6
Conservative 5
Whitnash Residents Association 3
Independent 3
Total44

There are by-elections due for two vacant wards. The next full election is due in 2027. [36]

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2019 the council has comprised 44 councillors representing 17 wards with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years. [37]

Premises

Council meetings are usually held at Leamington Spa Town Hall on The Parade, which had been built in 1884 for the old Leamington Borough Council, and which is also the council's official registered address. [38] [39] The council also has offices at 1 Saltisford Office Park in Warwick, and the customer services reception is at the Royal Pump Rooms in Leamington Spa. [40]

Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Leamington Spa: Council's main offices from 2000 to 2024, since demolished Riverside House, Leamington Spa.jpg
Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Leamington Spa: Council's main offices from 2000 to 2024, since demolished

From 2000 until 2024, the council had its main offices at Riverside House on Milverton Hill in Leamington, close to the River Leam, which had been built in 1984 as the headquarters of the Leamington Spa Building Society, and was subsequently bought by the council in 2000. [41] [42] [43] Riverside House closed in 2024 and was subsequently sold and demolished. [44]

The environment

On 27 June 2019 the elected members at the Full Council meeting declared a "climate emergency" in response to ongoing global climate change. The council aims to become carbon neutral by 2025, whilst trying to make the whole district carbon neutral by 2030. [45] On 20 January 2020 it was announced that electric cars would be given free parking in council car parks. [46] On 4 February of that year it was proposed by the council group leaders to increase council tax by around £1 a week on Band D properties to create £3 million per year. This would be ring-fenced for environmental purposes. If this proposal was accepted by the other councillors then a district wide referendum would have been held on 7 May to decide if the public accept it. [47] On 26 February the full council unanimously agreed the proposal, triggering the 7 May referendum, [48] – which was put back to 6 May 2021, due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. As of April 2022 the referendum has not yet occurred and no date has been set.

Demography

Ethnic Group2001 [49] 2011 [50]
Number%Number%
White: British111,04388.19%114,73983.36%
White: Irish2,5252.01%2,1461.56%
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller410.03%
White: Other3,4482.74%5,7894.21%
White: Total117,01692.94%122,71589.15%
Asian or Asian British: Indian5,2184.14%6,7454.90%
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani2220.18%4800.35%
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi220.02%690.05%
Asian or Asian British: Chinese5210.41%1,1550.84%
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian4350.35%1,4961.09%
Asian or Asian British: Total6,4185.10%9,9457.22%
Black or Black British: Caribbean3600.29%3890.28%
Black or Black British: African1680.13%4740.34%
Black or Black British: Other Black590.05%1100.08%
Black or Black British: Total5870.47%9730.71%
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean5060.40%8610.63%
Mixed: White and Black African930.07%2330.17%
Mixed: White and Asian5030.40%1,0700.78%
Mixed: Other Mixed2810.22%6390.46%
Mixed: Total1,3831.10%2,8032.04%
Other: Arab2310.17%
Other: Any other ethnic group9810.71%
Other: Total5040.40%1,2120.88%
BAME: Total8,8927.06%14,93310.85%
Total125,908100.00%137,648100.00%
Religion2001 [51] 2011 [52]
Number%Number%
Christian89,76371.28%80,18558.25%
Buddhist3470.28%5210.38%
Hindu8480.67%1,6331.19%
Jewish2070.16%2680.19%
Muslim6300.50%1,2990.94%
Sikh4,2393.37%5,3733.90%
Other religion3550.28%5310.39%
No religion20,49416.27%37,85927.50%
Religion not stated9,0517.19%9,9797.25%
Total125,934100.00%137,648100.00%

Travel, education and healthcare

The district has six railway stations – Warwick, Warwick Parkway, Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Hatton and Lapworth. Regular bus services run between Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth and onwards to Coventry, Stratford upon Avon and the University of Warwick. The Grand Union Canal flows through the district and the M40 motorway also passes through. Right on the edge of the district is Coventry Airport.

National Health Service general healthcare is provided by South Warwickshire NHS Foundation Trust and mental health care by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. Local hospitals include Warwick Hospital, the Leamington Spa Hospital, [53] St Michael's Hospital and the Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital (non-NHS, part of the Nuffield Health group) [54] Historic hospitals included St Michael's Leper Hospital, Warneford Hospital and Central Hospital. In 2021 a coronavirus "mega lab" was opened in the town, named after English chemist Rosalind Franklin. The largest laboratory of its kind in the UK, [55] , it failed to reach projected performance goals and closed without ceremony in January 2023. [56] Social services and fostering are dealt with on a countywide basis by Warwickshire County Council.

Freedom of district

Towns and parishes

The district is divided into 32 civil parishes, which cover the whole area. The parish councils for Kenilworth, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick and Whitnash have declared their parishes to be towns, allowing them to take the style "town council". The small parish of Bushwood has a parish meeting rather than a parish council. The parishes are: [59]

References

  1. 1 2 UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Warwick Local Authority (E07000222)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics . Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ↑ UK Census (2011). "Local Area Report – Royal Leamington Spa Built-up area (E34004841)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics . Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  3. ↑ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 31 May 2023
  4. ↑ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
  5. ↑ "Plans to merge Warwick and Stratford District Councils into single 'mega authority' have been scrapped". Warwickshireworld. Leamington Courier. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  6. ↑ "Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon councils merger plans scrapped". BBC News. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  7. ↑ Sayed, Nangri (24 May 2025). "Warwick District Council appoints new Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2025–2026". Warwick Nub News. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "Appointment at Warwick District Council". Planning. 3 November 2006. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  9. ↑ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
  10. ↑ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "Greens and Labour form a coalition on Warwick District Council". Leamington Observer. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Compositions Calculator". The Elections Centre. University of Exeter. Retrieved 21 May 2025. (Put "Warwick" in search box to see specific results.)
  13. ↑ "Warwick". BBC News Online . Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  14. ↑ "Coming to terms with defeat". Warwick Courier. 10 May 1991. p. 9. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  15. ↑ "The 'new boy', the new style". Warwick Courier. 17 May 1991. p. 13. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  16. ↑ "Misery for Tories as voters dump the district's leaders". Leamington Spa Courier. 12 May 1995. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  17. ↑ "Labour announces candidates to contest every seat". CWN. 23 March 1999. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  18. ↑ "Parties jostle to take district's top job". Warwick Courier. 14 April 2000. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  19. ↑ Parker, Richard (21 April 2000). "Upset as Lib Dems take over district". Warwick Courier. p. 2. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  20. ↑ "Council minutes, 19 April 2000". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  21. 1 2 "New leader pledges role in cabinet for all parties". Leamington Spa Courier. 27 April 2001. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  22. ↑ "District to have a new Labour leader". Warwick Courier. 12 April 2002. p. 17. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  23. ↑ "Council minutes, 24 April 2002". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  24. ↑ "New rate is value for money". Coventry Live. 23 February 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  25. ↑ "Council minutes, 16 May 2007". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  26. ↑ "Coroner retires". Evesham Journal. 9 January 2008. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  27. ↑ "Council minutes, 14 May 2008". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  28. ↑ "Warwick District Council leader Michael Doody to resign". BBC News. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  29. ↑ "Council minutes, 4 December 2013". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  30. ↑ "Election results: Warwick Tory and Labour leaders lose seats". BBC News. 3 May 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  31. ↑ "Council minutes, 15 May 2019". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  32. ↑ Mitchell, Andy (29 July 2024). "Warwick District Council leader urged to make most of West Midlands Combined Authority membership". Warwickshire World. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  33. ↑ "Council minutes, 17 May 2023". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  34. ↑ "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
  35. ↑ "Political structure". The Council website.
  36. ↑ "Warwick". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  37. ↑ "The Warwick (Electoral Changes) Order 2018", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2018/1313, retrieved 24 January 2024
  38. ↑ "Councillors move out as renovation begins on Leamington Town Hall". Leamington Observer. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  39. ↑ "New Council Customer Service Hub opens its doors". Warwick District Council. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  40. ↑ "Council Offices". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  41. ↑ "District planners planning office move of their own". Leamington Spa Courier. 19 May 2000. p. 10. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  42. ↑ "On the move". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 15 November 1984. p. 5. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  43. ↑ Smith, James (3 April 2024). "Warwick District Council official moves out of former HQ as plans to turn it into homes move forward". Warwick Nub News. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  44. ↑ Williams, Oliver (29 May 2025). "Demolition of former Warwick District Council HQ in Leamington has started". Warwickshire World. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
  45. ↑ "Warwick District Council declares a climate emergency" . Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  46. ↑ "Council to offer free parking for electric vehicles" . Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  47. ↑ "Warwick District's Climate Emergency Action Programme" . Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  48. ↑ "Residents in Warwickshire to vote on council tax rise for climate change fund". 26 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  49. ↑ "Ethnic Group by measures". NOMIS. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  50. ↑ "Ethnic Group by measures". NOMIS. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  51. ↑ "Religion" . Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  52. ↑ "QS208EW - Religion" . Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  53. ↑ "How Leamington Rehab Hospital's friends make the road to recovery smoother for patients". Leamington Courier. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2018.
  54. ↑ "Nuffield Hospital Warwick". NHS Choices. Archived from the original on 9 September 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  55. ↑ "Covid-19: Leamington Spa 'mega lab' opens to speed up testing". BBC News. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  56. ↑ "UK's first Covid mega lab for sale". BBC News. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  57. ↑ "Warwick Freedom Scroll". www.calligraphyanddesign.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  58. ↑ "Fusiliers granted freedom of Warwick District". BBC News. BBC. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  59. ↑ "Warwick District - parishes". City Population. Retrieved 22 January 2024.

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