Worcester residents are being asked if they support a new parish council being set up to represent their city.
The second phase of the Future Worcester public consultation is asking residents to make their voice heard on proposals for a new parish council covering all the city, apart from St Peter’s and Warndon Villages. Those two areas already have parish councils.
Future Worcester was launched in the wake of the Government’s plans to replace Worcester City Council and neighbouring authorities with a bigger council covering a larger area.
That would mean Worcester residents (apart from in Warndon Villages and St Peter’s) would not be represented at the most local level.
The first stage of the Future Worcester consultation was held in May and June this year. The responses to it supported the idea that if Worcester City Council is abolished, there should be a new parish council for the areas of the city that currently don't have one.
Worcester City Council, which is legally responsible for conducting this review, agreed in July that a new parish council for the area of the city that does not already have one was its “preferred option”.
Now the public are being urged to go to www.worcester.gov.uk/futureworcester and have their say on whether they support the idea of a new parish council for Worcester.
Councillor Lynn Denham, Leader of Worcester City Council, said: “This is all about making sure that the people of Worcester are represented at the most local level. Having a parish council means that residents could elect someone from their own community to run services that might not be a priority for a larger unitary authority.
“If there is a new parish council it could take on services like parks, allotments, litter bins and public toilets. Importantly, it would also continue Worcester’s historic tradition of appointing a ceremonial Mayor each year.
“This is a really big decision and I want to encourage everyone in our city to make their voice heard at www.worcester.gov.uk/futureworcester.”
The City Council has prepared an information booklet that will be sent to Worcester households in the coming days. The Council is also setting up a series of drop-in events where residents can find out more about Future Worcester in person. Details will be announced shortly.
This second consultation runs until Thursday 10 December 2026.
The results will be considered at a Worcester City Council meeting in January 2027, when a final decision will be made.
If a new parish council is to be established, elections to it will be organised to coincide with the next scheduled local or national election, in order to keep costs to a minimum.
