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Coordinates: 52°17′22″N 1°32′37″W / 52.2894°N 1.5435°W / 52.2894; -1.5435
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{{short description|Local government district in Warwickshire, England}}
{{Primary sources|date=July 2008}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
|name = Warwick District
|name = Warwick District
|type = [[Non-metropolitan district]]
|type = [[Non-metropolitan district]]
|image_skyline =
|image_skyline = Upper_Parade,_Leamington_5.23.jpg
|imagesize =
|imagesize = 240px
|image_caption =
|image_caption = Leamington Spa, the largest settlement in the district.
|image_blank_emblem=
|image_blank_emblem=
|blank_emblem_type = Coat of Arms of the City Council
|blank_emblem_type =
|image_map = Warwick UK locator map.svg
|image_map = Warwick UK locator map.svg
|map_caption = Shown within [[Warwickshire]]
|map_caption = Shown within [[Warwickshire]]
Line 22: Line 22:
|seat = Leamington Spa
|seat = Leamington Spa
|government_type =
|government_type =
|leader_title = [[Local government in England#Councillors and mayors|Leadership]]:
|leader_title =
|leader_name = Leader and cabinet
|leader_name =
|leader_title1 = [[List of MPs elected in the 2015 United Kingdom general election|MPs]]:
|leader_title1 = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]:
|leader_name1 = [[Matt Western]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])<br />[[Jeremy Wright]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|C]])
|leader_name1 = [[Matt Western]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])<br />[[Jeremy Wright]] ([[Conservative Party (UK)|C]])
|leader_title2 =
|leader_title2 =
Line 54: Line 54:
|blank3_name = [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] 3
|blank3_name = [[Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics|NUTS]] 3
|blank3_info = <!-- UKG## -->
|blank3_info = <!-- UKG## -->
|blank4_name = Ethnicity
|blank4_name =
|blank4_info =
|blank4_info = 89.2% White (83.4% White British)<br />7.2% Asian<br />0.7% Black<br />2.1% Mixed Race<br />0.9% Other <ref>http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census/2011-census/key-statistics-for-local-authorities-in-england-and-wales/rft-table-ks201ew.xls {{Bare URL spreadsheet|date=April 2022}}</ref>
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->
|website = [http://www.warwickdc.gov.uk warwickdc.gov.uk]
| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E07000222|title=Warwick Local Authority|access-date=5 January 2024}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 84.6% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
| 9.7% [[British Asians|Asian]]
| 3% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
| 1.6% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
| 1.1% [[Black British people|Black]]
}}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->
| demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1 =
{{Collapsible list
| 44.6% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
| 40% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
| 1.5% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
| 2.5% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
| 0.2% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
| 4.2% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
| 0.4% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
| 0.5% [[Religion in England|other]]
| 6% not stated
}}
}}
}}
'''Warwick''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|local government district]] of central [[Warwickshire]] in [[England]]. It borders the [[Borough of Rugby]] and [[Stratford-on-Avon District]] in Warwickshire as well as the [[West Midlands County]] (of which Coventry and [[Solihull]] are within the historic boundaries of Warwickshire). The [[City of Coventry]] is to the north and northeast, the [[Stratford-on-Avon District]] to the southwest and south, the [[Borough of Rugby]] to the east, and the [[Metropolitan Borough of Solihull|Borough of Solihull]] to the west and northwest.
'''Warwick''' is a [[Non-metropolitan district|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.<ref name="2011census">{{NOMIS2011|id=E34004841|title=Royal Leamington Spa Built-up area|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>


The neighbouring districts are [[Borough of Rugby|Rugby]], [[Stratford-on-Avon District|Stratford-on-Avon]], [[Metropolitan Borough of Solihull|Solihull]] and [[Coventry]].
The district is centred around a conurbation that includes the towns of [[Warwick]], [[Leamington Spa]] and [[Whitnash]] which had a population of 95,000.<ref name="2011census">{{NOMIS2011|id=E34004841|title=Royal Leamington Spa Built-up area|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref> The district also includes the town of [[Kenilworth]] and the surrounding rural areas. In February 2021 is was announced that both Warwick District councillors and their Stratford counterparts had "agreed the next steps towards closer working between both District Councils, which could see a recommendation to Government for a merger of the two councils in July 2024."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.stratford.gov.uk/news/press.cfm/current/2/item/137448#:~:text=Stratford%2Don%2DAvon%20District%20Council%20and%20Warwick%20District%20Council%20have,two%20councils%20in%20July%202024.|title= Councillors give the go ahead for working together with Warwick District Council|date= 25 February 2021|access-date= 29 June 2021}}</ref> However in April 2022 the merger was scrapped, with Councillor Day (Warwick Leader) accusing Councillor Jefferson (Stratford Leader) of writing to [[Government of the United Kingdom|Central Government]] behind his back, asking for more time for the merge to take place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Plans to merge Warwick and Stratford District Councils into single 'mega authority' have been scrapped |url=https://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/politics/plans-to-merge-warwick-and-stratford-district-councils-into-single-mega-authority-have-been-scrapped-3662460 |publisher=Leamington Courier |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon councils merger plans scrapped |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-61177293#:~:text=Plans%20to%20merge%20two%20councils,new%20South%20Warwickshire%20District%20Council. |publisher=BBC |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>


==History==
==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:<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>
*[[Kenilworth]] [[Urban district (England and Wales)|Urban District]]
*[[Royal Leamington Spa]] [[Municipal Borough]]
*[[Warwick]] Municipal Borough
*[[Warwick Rural District]]
The new district was named Warwick after the county town.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973|year=1973|number=551|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Plans to merge Warwick and Stratford District Councils into single 'mega authority' have been scrapped |newspaper=Warwickshireworld |url=https://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/politics/plans-to-merge-warwick-and-stratford-district-councils-into-single-mega-authority-have-been-scrapped-3662460 |publisher=Leamington Courier |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon councils merger plans scrapped | work=BBC News | date=21 April 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-61177293#:~:text=Plans%20to%20merge%20two%20councils,new%20South%20Warwickshire%20District%20Council. |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], by a merger of the former Leamington Spa and Warwick [[municipal borough]]s, the Kenilworth [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district]] and the [[Warwick Rural District]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Warwickshire Civic Heraldry |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/warwicks.html |publisher=Civic heraldry |access-date=19 August 2021}}</ref>


==Politics==
==Governance==
{{infobox legislature
The current leader of the district council is [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] member Andrew Day.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20594/councillors/552/portfolio_holders|title= Warwick DC|access-date= 17 July 2019}}</ref> The council is currently in no overall control, but the Conservatives run the administration through an agreement with the Whitnash Residents Association. Conservatives have 19 councillors, the Liberal Democrats have 9 councillors, the Green Party 8 councillors, Labour 5 Councillors with the remaining 3 councillors are part of the Whitnash Residents Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20594/councillors/380/political_structure |title=Political structure |access-date=17 July 2019 |publisher=Warwick District Council }}</ref>
| name = Warwick Avon District Council
The district council headquarters are in Leamington Spa. It employs more than 500 people in a four-storey building close to the [[River Leam]]. The district council deals with issues such as waste management, the collection of [[council tax]], planning/building regulations, [[council housing]] and council house repairs. In April 2016 the council announced its plans to move their headquarters nearer the town centre,<ref>{{cite web|title=Warwick District Council set to agree HQ move|url=https://leamingtonobserver.co.uk/news/warwick-district-council-set-agree-hq-move/|website=leamingtonobserver.co.uk|publisher=Leamington Observer|access-date=7 February 2020|language=en}}</ref> however in February 2019 plans were put on hold,<ref>{{cite web|title=Latest on plans to relocate council to Leamington town centre - and what could happen next|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/leamington-news-relocation-council-plans-15748655|website=www.coventrytelegraph.net |date=4 February 2019|publisher=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=7 February 2020|language=en}}</ref> and as of July 2021 no decision had been made and is unlikely due to the probably merger with Stratford District.
| logo_pic = Warwick District Council logo.svg
| logo_res =
| house_type = Non-metropolitan district
| leader1_type = [[Chairperson|Chair]]
| leader1 = Robert Margrave
| party1 = <br/>Whitnash [[Residents Association|RA]]
| election1 = 17 May 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 15 May 2024 |url=https://estates8.warwickdc.gov.uk/CMIS/Document.ashx?czJKcaeAi5tUFL1DTL2UE4zNRBcoShgo=t6ISReQBAC1mmOn7v3RRAuOdWFAJq3QRDow5ugn7A07%2bv8dS3ymRPA%3d%3d&rUzwRPf%2bZ3zd4E7Ikn8Lyw%3d%3d=pwRE6AGJFLDNlh225F5QMaQWCtPHwdhUfCZ%2fLUQzgA2uL5jNRG4jdQ%3d%3d&mCTIbCubSFfXsDGW9IXnlg%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&kCx1AnS9%2fpWZQ40DXFvdEw%3d%3d=hFflUdN3100%3d&uJovDxwdjMPoYv%2bAJvYtyA%3d%3d=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&FgPlIEJYlotS%2bYGoBi5olA%3d%3d=NHdURQburHA%3d&d9Qjj0ag1Pd993jsyOJqFvmyB7X0CSQK=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNR9xqBux0r1Q8Za60lavYmz=ctNJFf55vVA%3d&WGewmoAfeNQ16B2MHuCpMRKZMwaG1PaO=ctNJFf55vVA%3d |website=Warwick District Council |access-date=24 July 2024}}</ref>
| leader2_type = [[Leader of the council|Leader]]
| leader2 = Ian Davison
| party2 = <br/>[[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]]
| election2 = 17 May 2023
| leader3_type = [[Chief Executive]]
| leader3 = Chris Elliott
| party3 = <!-- Non-political role -->
| election3 =
| seats = 44 councillors
| structure1 = UK Warwick District Council 2023.svg
| structure1_res = 200px
| political_groups1 =
;Administration (24)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}|border=darkgray}} [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] (14)
: {{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] (10)
;Other parties (20)
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrats]] (10)}}
: {{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] (6)
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Whitnash Residents Association}}|border=darkgray}} Whitnash [[Residents Association|RA]] (3)}}
: {{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent politician}}|border=darkgray}} [[Independent politician|Independent]] (1)}}
| term_length = 4 years
| voting_system1 = First past the post
| last_election1 = [[2023 Warwick District Council election|4 May 2023]]
| next_election1 = 6 May 2027
| session_room = Leamington Spa Town Hall (1) 5.23.jpg
| meeting_place = [[Leamington Spa Town Hall|Town Hall]], The Parade, Leamington Spa, CV32{{nbsp}}4AT
| website = {{URL|www.warwickdc.gov.uk}}
}}

Warwick District Council provides [[Non-metropolitan district|district-level]] services. [[Non-metropolitan county|County-level]] services are provided by [[Warwickshire County Council]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=act|act=Local Government Act 1972|year=1972|chapter=70|access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> The whole district is also covered by [[civil parish]]es, which form a third tier of local government.<ref name=electionmaps>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=9 January 2023}}</ref>

===Political control===
The council has been under [[no overall control]] since 2019. Following the [[2023 Warwick District Council election|2023 election]] a coalition of the Greens and Labour formed to run the council, led by Green councillor Ian Davison.<ref>{{cite news |title=Greens and Labour form a coalition on Warwick District Council |url=https://leamingtonobserver.co.uk/news/greens-and-labour-form-a-coalition-on-warwick-district-council/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |work=Leamington Observer |date=18 May 2023}}</ref>

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:<ref>{{cite web |title=Compositions calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/?page_id=3825 |website=The Elections Centre | date=4 March 2016 |access-date=20 August 2022}}</ref><ref name=warwick>{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2007/councils/html/44uf.stm | title = Warwick | access-date = 2009-09-13 | work = [[BBC News Online]]}}</ref>


The political makeup of Warwick District Council following the [[2019 United Kingdom local elections|2019 local elections]] is as follows:<ref>{{cite web|title=Local elections|url=https://estates4.warwickdc.gov.uk/cmis/Electionresults/tabid/63/ctl/ViewElectionResults/mid/386/ID/52/Default.aspx|website=www.warwickdc.gov.uk|publisher=Warwick District Council|access-date=13 June 2019|language=en}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2|Party in control || Years
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1974–1976
! !! [[Conservative Party (UK)|'''Conservative''']] !! [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Lib Dem]] !! [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green]] !! [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] !! Whitnash Residents Association
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1976–1995
| Seats|| 19|| 9|| 8|| 5|| 3
|-
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1995–2007
| Votes||29.4%||23.5%||22.5%||19.5%||3.9%
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2007–2019
|-
| {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2019–present
|}
|}


===Leadership===
In August 2020 [[Warwickshire County Council]] put forward proposals for the five district and borough councils in the county to be abolished and replaced with a single county-wide [[unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Local councils in Warwickshire could be scrapped |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/local-councils-warwickshire-could-scrapped-18801354 |publisher=Coventry Telegraph |access-date=26 September 2020 |date=23 August 2020}}</ref> This prompted a backlash from the district and borough councils who commissioned their own report, which argued in favour of Warwickshire being split into two unitary authorities, one for the north of the county, covering the current districts of North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth and Rugby, and one for the south of the county, covering Warwick and Stratford districts.<ref>{{cite web |title=Warwickshire could be split into north and south councils |url=https://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/people/warwickshire-could-be-split-north-and-south-councils-2978365 |publisher=Rugby Advertiser |access-date=26 September 2020 |date=21 September 2020}}</ref> In September 2020, it was agreed that both proposals would be sent for consideration to the [[Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government]].<ref>{{cite web |title=After a seven-hour long meeting, councillors decide on the next step for the future of local councils in Warwickshire |url=https://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/news/politics/council/after-seven-hour-long-meeting-councillors-decide-next-step-future-local-councils-warwickshire-2980296 |publisher=Rugby Advertiser |access-date=26 September 2020 |date=22 September 2020}}</ref> In February 2021 is was announced that both Warwick District councillors and their Stratford counterparts had "agreed the next steps towards closer working between both District Councils, which could see a recommendation to Government for a merger of the two councils in July 2024."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.stratford.gov.uk/news/press.cfm/current/2/item/137448#:~:text=Stratford%2Don%2DAvon%20District%20Council%20and%20Warwick%20District%20Council%20have,two%20councils%20in%20July%202024.|title= Councillors give the go ahead for working together with Warwick District Council|date= 25 February 2021|access-date= 29 June 2021}}</ref> The joint council is expected to be called South Warwickshire District Council and as such early summer 2021 saw a South Warwickshire Local Plan to replace the two existing plans.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.stratford.gov.uk/planning-building/the-south-warwickshire-local-plan.cfm|title= The South Warwickshire Local Plan|access-date= 29 June 2021}}</ref> However in April 2022 the merger was scrapped, with Councillor Day (Warwick Leader) accusing Councillor Jefferson (Stratford Leader) of writing to [[Government of the United Kingdom|Central Government]] behind his back asking for more time for the merge to take place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Plans to merge Warwick and Stratford District Councils into single 'mega authority' have been scrapped |url=https://www.warwickshireworld.com/news/politics/plans-to-merge-warwick-and-stratford-district-councils-into-single-mega-authority-have-been-scrapped-3662460 |publisher=Leamington Courier |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon councils merger plans scrapped |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-61177293#:~:text=Plans%20to%20merge%20two%20councils,new%20South%20Warwickshire%20District%20Council. |publisher=BBC |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref>
The [[leader of the council|leaders of the council]] since 1995 have been:<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes |url=https://estates8.warwickdc.gov.uk/cmis/MeetingDates.aspx |website=Warwick District Council |access-date=8 September 2022}}</ref>


{| class=wikitable
===The Environment===
! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To
|-
| Ian Dove || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|1995 || align=right|19 Apr 2000
|-
| Margaret Begg || {{party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=right|19 Apr 2000 || align=right|13 Jun 2001
|-
| Ian Dove || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|13 Jun 2001 || align=right|24 Apr 2002
|-
| Bob Crowther || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|24 Apr 2002 || align=right|May 2007
|-
| Michael Coker || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 2007 || align=right|2008
|-
| Michael Doody || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2008 || align=right|4 Dec 2013
|-
| Andrew Mobbs || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|4 Dec 2013 || align=right|5 May 2019
|-
| Andrew Day || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|15 May 2019 || align=right|17 May 2023
|-
| Ian Davison || {{party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=right|17 May 2023 ||
|}

===Composition===
Following the [[2023 Warwick District Council election|2023 election]] and a change of allegiance in April 2024, the composition of the council was:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2023/may/04/elections-2023-results-live-local-council-england#le-full-results|title=Local elections 2023: live council results for England|work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Boothroyd |first1=David |title=Not for glory, nor riches, nor honours |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/2024/04/not-for-glory-nor-riches-nor-honours/ |access-date=27 April 2024 |work=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |date=26 April 2024}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan=2| Party
! Councillors
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}}
| align=center|14
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}}
| align=center|10
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}
| align=center|10
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}}
| align=center|6
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Whitnash Residents Association|full=yes}}
| align=center|3
|-
| {{Party name with colour|Independent politician}}
| align=center|1
|-
! colspan=2|Total
! align=center|44
|}
The next election is due in 2027.

===Elections===
{{also|Warwick District Council elections}}
Since the last boundary changes in 2019 the council has comprised 44 [[councillor]]s representing 17 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]] with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Warwick (Electoral Changes) Order 2018|year=2018|number=1313|access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref>


===Premises===
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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/article/297/warwick_district_council_declares_a_climate_emergency|title=Warwick District Council declares a climate emergency |access-date= 7 February 2020}}</ref> On 20 January 2020 it was announced that [[electric cars]] would be given free parking in council car parks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/article/364/council_to_offer_free_parking_for_electric_vehicles|title=Council to offer free parking for electric vehicles |access-date= 7 February 2020}}</ref> 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 [[Hypothecated tax|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/article/372/warwick_district_s_climate_emergency_action_programme|title=Warwick District's Climate Emergency Action Programme |access-date= 7 February 2020}}</ref> On 26 February the full council unanimously agreed the proposal, triggering the 7 May referendum,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2020-02-26/residents-in-warwickshire-to-vote-on-council-tax-rise-for-climate-change-fund/|title=Residents in Warwickshire to vote on council tax rise for climate change fund |date=26 February 2020 |access-date= 27 February 2020}}</ref> - 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.
[[File:Riverside House, Leamington Spa.jpg|thumb|Council's main offices: Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Leamington Spa, CV32{{nbsp}}5HZ]]
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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Councillors move out as renovation begins on Leamington Town Hall |url=https://leamingtonobserver.co.uk/news/councillors-move-out-as-renovation-begins-on-leamington-town-hall/ |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=Leamington Observer |date=29 September 2023}}</ref> The council has its main offices at Riverside House on Milverton Hill in Leamington, close to the [[River Leam]]. That building was completed in 1984 as the headquarters of the [[Leamington Spa Building Society]], and was subsequently bought by the council in the late 1990s.<ref>{{cite news |title=On the move |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search-newspapers |access-date=24 January 2024 |work=Coventry Evening Telegraph |date=15 November 1984 |page=5}}</ref> Plans are being considered to move the council's main offices nearer to the town centre of Leamington Spa; various schemes have been proposed since 2016, but none has yet to come to fruition.<ref>{{cite web|title=Warwick District Council set to agree HQ move|url=https://leamingtonobserver.co.uk/news/warwick-district-council-set-agree-hq-move/|website=leamingtonobserver.co.uk|publisher=Leamington Observer|access-date=7 February 2020|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Latest on plans to relocate council to Leamington town centre - and what could happen next|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/leamington-news-relocation-council-plans-15748655|website=www.coventrytelegraph.net |date=4 February 2019|publisher=Coventry Telegraph|access-date=7 February 2020|language=en}}</ref>

===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.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/article/297/warwick_district_council_declares_a_climate_emergency|title=Warwick District Council declares a climate emergency |access-date= 7 February 2020}}</ref> On 20 January 2020 it was announced that [[electric cars]] would be given free parking in council car parks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/article/364/council_to_offer_free_parking_for_electric_vehicles|title=Council to offer free parking for electric vehicles |access-date= 7 February 2020}}</ref> 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 [[Hypothecated tax|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/news/article/372/warwick_district_s_climate_emergency_action_programme|title=Warwick District's Climate Emergency Action Programme |access-date= 7 February 2020}}</ref> On 26 February the full council unanimously agreed the proposal, triggering the 7 May referendum,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2020-02-26/residents-in-warwickshire-to-vote-on-council-tax-rise-for-climate-change-fund/|title=Residents in Warwickshire to vote on council tax rise for climate change fund |date=26 February 2020 |access-date= 27 February 2020}}</ref> – which was put back to 6 May 2021, due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. {{asof|2022|4}} the referendum has not yet occurred and no date has been set.


==Demography==
==Demography==
Line 184: Line 323:
</div>
</div>


==Tourism and leisure==
==Travel, education and healthcare==
The district has six [[railway stations]] – [[Warwick railway station|Warwick]], [[Warwick Parkway railway station|Warwick Parkway]], [[Leamington Spa railway station|Leamington Spa]], [[Kenilworth railway station|Kenilworth]], [[Hatton railway station (Warwickshire)|Hatton]] and [[Lapworth railway station|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]].
[[File:Warwick Castle May 2016.jpg|thumb|Warwick Castle (May 2016)]]
Two of the most well known tourist attractions in the district are [[Warwick Castle]] and [[Kenilworth Castle]], the first being well-preserved and the second now a ruin as a result of the [[English Civil War]]. Also of interest are the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] properties [[Baddesley Clinton]] and [[Packwood House]]. The [[Royal Pump Rooms]] in Leamington is a cultural and tourist attraction with services including [http://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/royalpumprooms Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum] and there are several museums in Warwick.
[[File:Warwick Castle, Warwickshire, England, a popular tourist destination.jpg|thumb|The motte-and-bailey castle at Warwick Castle]]
All three of the district's main towns, Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth, have many hotels, two of the better known ones being [[The Regent Hotel]] and a [[Hilton hotels|Hilton Hotel]] at Warwick. [[Warwick Racecourse]] hosts televised meetings several times a year and the English men and women's [[lawn bowls]] championships takes place in [[Victoria Park, Leamington Spa|Victoria Park, Leamington]] each year.

There are three public swimming pools and three leisure centres in the district as well as many public open spaces, the most well known being Leamington's [[Jephson Gardens]] and [[Newbold Comyn]], Warwick [[St Nicholas' Park, Warwick|St Nicholas' Park]] and Kenilworth's [[Abbey Fields]]. There is a public pay-per-play golf course within [[Warwick Racecourse]] and private courses at [[Whitnash]], [[Stoneleigh, Warwickshire|Stoneleigh]] and [[Leek Wootton]]. The biggest football teams in the area are [[Leamington F.C.]] and [[Racing Club Warwick]]. A [[disc golf]] club is located between [[Leamington Spa|Leamington]] and [[Old Milverton]], a [[petanque]] club in Whitnash and public [[tennis]] courts in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth. There have been four [[Green Flag Award]]s given to sites in the district: Crackley Woods in Kenilworth, [[Foundry Wood]] and [[Jephson Gardens]] in Leamington, and Oakley Wood near Bishop's Tachbrook.

All three towns have their own amateur theatres including the Talisman and [[Priory Theatre|Priory]] (Kenilworth), the [[Loft Theatre Company]] (Leamington), and [[The Bridge House Theatre]] (Warwick School). In addition, [[Playbox Theatre Company]] based in Warwick, works specifically with young people and Heartbreak Productions runs a programme of outdoor events, mainly in the summer months. The [[Royal Spa Centre]] is the district's large scale professional theatre and runs a programme of theatre, drama, comedy, film and community events in its 794-seat main house and 160-seat studio theatre which doubles as a single screen cinema. The district's other, larger cinema, a six screen [[Vue Cinemas|Vue]], is also in Leamington and has 898 seats.

==Travel, Education & Healthcare==
The district has six [[railway stations]] – [[Warwick railway station|Warwick]], [[Warwick Parkway railway station|Warwick Parkway]], [[Leamington Spa railway station|Leamington Spa]], [[Kenilworth railway station|Kenilworth]], [[Hatton railway station (Warwickshire)|Hatton]] and [[Lapworth railway station|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 found [[Coventry Airport]] at [[Baginton]].

There are five mixed sex [[comprehensive school]]s for pupils aged 11–18 in the district: [[Aylesford School]] and [[Myton School]] (both Warwick), [[Campion School, Leamington Spa|Campion School]] and [[North Leamington School]] (Leamington) and [[Kenilworth School]]. In addition there are four [[Independent school|private senior schools]]: [[Warwick School]] (boys), [[The King's High School for Girls]] (in Warwick), [[The Kingsley School]] (girls, in Leamington) and [[Arnold Lodge School]] (mixed, in Leamington). Evergreen School, located on two sites in Warwick, is a [[Special education|special school]] providing education for children from reception to sixth form. [[Further education]] is provided by [[Warwickshire College]]'s Leamington site and half of the campus of the [[University of Warwick]] is found on the edge of the district.


[[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]],<ref name=bh>{{cite web|url=https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/feature-how-leamington-rehab-hospital-s-friends-make-the-road-to-recovery-smoother-for-patients-1-4157442|title=How Leamington Rehab Hospital's friends make the road to recovery smoother for patients|publisher=Leamington Courier|date=15 August 2012|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913150448/https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/feature-how-leamington-rehab-hospital-s-friends-make-the-road-to-recovery-smoother-for-patients-1-4157442|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[St Michael's Hospital, Warwick|St Michael's Hospital]] and the [[Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital]] (non-NHS, part of the [[Nuffield Health]] group)<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/Hospital.aspx?id=NT224| title = Nuffield Hospital Warwick |publisher = NHS Choices|access-date=7 December 2018}}</ref> [[Social services]] is pro On 13 July 2021 a [[coronavirus]] "mega lab" was opened in the town. Named after English chemist [[Rosalind Franklin]]. The site is expected to be capable of processing "hundreds of thousands of samples a day". The largest laboratory of its kind in the UK, and it is hoped it will create up to 1,500 jobs. It will also play a "key role in responding to new variants of the virus".<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-57812242| title = Covid-19: Leamington Spa 'mega lab' opens to speed up testing | work = BBC News | date = 13 July 2021 |access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref> Historic hospitals included [[St Michael's Leper Hospital]], [[Warneford Hospital, Leamington Spa|Warneford Hospital]] and [[Central Hospital, Hatton|Central Hospital]]. [[Social services]] and [[fostering]] are dealt with on a countywide basis by [[Warwickshire County Council]].
[[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]],<ref name=bh>{{cite web|url=https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/feature-how-leamington-rehab-hospital-s-friends-make-the-road-to-recovery-smoother-for-patients-1-4157442|title=How Leamington Rehab Hospital's friends make the road to recovery smoother for patients|publisher=Leamington Courier|date=15 August 2012|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913150448/https://www.leamingtoncourier.co.uk/news/feature-how-leamington-rehab-hospital-s-friends-make-the-road-to-recovery-smoother-for-patients-1-4157442|archive-date=13 September 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[St Michael's Hospital, Warwick|St Michael's Hospital]] and the [[Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital]] (non-NHS, part of the [[Nuffield Health]] group)<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nhs.uk/ServiceDirectories/Pages/Hospital.aspx?id=NT224| title = Nuffield Hospital Warwick |publisher = NHS Choices|access-date=7 December 2018}}</ref> [[Social services]] is pro On 13 July 2021 a [[coronavirus]] "mega lab" was opened in the town. Named after English chemist [[Rosalind Franklin]]. The site is expected to be capable of processing "hundreds of thousands of samples a day". The largest laboratory of its kind in the UK, and it is hoped it will create up to 1,500 jobs. It will also play a "key role in responding to new variants of the virus".<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-57812242| title = Covid-19: Leamington Spa 'mega lab' opens to speed up testing | work = BBC News | date = 13 July 2021 |access-date=13 July 2021}}</ref> Historic hospitals included [[St Michael's Leper Hospital]], [[Warneford Hospital, Leamington Spa|Warneford Hospital]] and [[Central Hospital, Hatton|Central Hospital]]. [[Social services]] and [[fostering]] are dealt with on a countywide basis by [[Warwickshire County Council]].


==Freedom of district==
==Freedom of district==
* [[MoD Kineton]]: 4 April 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calligraphyanddesign.com/Resources/Warwick-Freedom-scroll.jpg |title=Warwick Freedom Scroll |website=www.calligraphyanddesign.com |format=JPG|access-date=2020-12-07}}</ref>
* [[MoD Kineton]]: 4 April 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calligraphyanddesign.com/Resources/Warwick-Freedom-scroll.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303134055/http://calligraphyanddesign.com/Resources/Warwick-Freedom-scroll.jpg |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 March 2017 |title=Warwick Freedom Scroll |website=www.calligraphyanddesign.com |format=JPG|access-date=2020-12-07}}</ref>
* On 26 November 2013 the freedom of the district was bestowed on the [[Royal Regiment of Fusiliers]] following a parade through [[Royal Leamington Spa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-25110818|title=Fusiliers granted freedom of Warwick District|date=26 November 2013|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref>
* On 26 November 2013 the freedom of the district was bestowed on the [[Royal Regiment of Fusiliers]] following a parade through [[Royal Leamington Spa]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-25110818|title=Fusiliers granted freedom of Warwick District|date=26 November 2013|work=BBC News|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref>


==Parishes and settlements==
==Towns and parishes==
{{further|List of civil parishes in Warwickshire}}
The Warwick district includes the settlements and [[civil parish|Parishes]] of:
The district is divided into 32 [[civil parish]]es, 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:<ref>{{cite web |title=Warwick District - parishes |url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/uk/westmidlands/admin/E07000222__warwick/ |publisher=City Population |access-date=22 January 2024}}</ref>


*[[Ashow]]
*[[Ashow]]
*[[Baddesley Clinton]], [[Baginton]], [[Barford, Warwickshire|Barford]], [[Beausale]], [[Bishops Tachbrook]], [[Blackdown, Warwickshire|Blackdown]], [[Bubbenhall]], [[Budbrooke]], [[Bushwood]]
*[[Baddesley Clinton]], [[Baginton]], [[Barford, Warwickshire|Barford]], [[Beausale, Haseley, Honiley and Wroxall]], [[Bishops Tachbrook]], [[Blackdown, Warwickshire|Blackdown]], [[Bubbenhall]], [[Budbrooke]], [[Burton Green]], [[Bushwood]]
*[[Chadwick End]] (part), [[Cubbington]]
*[[Cubbington]]
*[[Eathorpe]]
*[[Eathorpe]]
*[[Haseley]], [[Hatton, Warwickshire|Hatton]], [[Honiley]], [[Hunningham]]
*[[Hatton, Warwickshire|Hatton]], [[Hunningham]]
*[[Kenilworth]]
*[[Kenilworth]]
*[[Lapworth]], [[Lillington, Warwickshire|Lillington]], [[Leamington Spa]], [[Leek Wootton]]
*[[Lapworth]], [[Leek Wootton and Guy's Cliffe]]
*[[Norton Lindsey]]
*[[Norton Lindsey]]
*[[Offchurch]], [[Old Milverton]]
*[[Offchurch]], [[Old Milverton]]
*[[Radford Semele]], [[Rowington]]
*[[Radford Semele]], [[Rowington]], [[Royal Leamington Spa]]
*[[Sherbourne, Warwickshire|Sherbourne]], [[Shrewley]], [[Stoneleigh, Warwickshire|Stoneleigh]]
*[[Sherbourne, Warwickshire|Sherbourne]], [[Shrewley]], [[Stoneleigh, Warwickshire|Stoneleigh]]
*[[Wappenbury]], [[Warwick]], [[Wasperton]], [[Weston Under Wetherley]], [[Whitnash]], [[Wroxall, Warwickshire|Wroxall]]
*[[Wappenbury]], [[Warwick]], [[Wasperton]], [[Weston Under Wetherley]], [[Whitnash]]

===Electoral wards===
This is a guide to the size of the [[Wards of the United Kingdom|wards]] in Warwick District based on the data from the [[2001 UK Census]]. The entire population of the district was 125,929.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|'''Rank'''
|'''Ward'''
|'''Population'''
|-
|1
|Brunswick
|9,299
|-
|2
|Willes
|8,601
|-
|3
|[[Warwick]] South
|8,569
|-
|4
|[[Warwick]] North
|8,488
|-
|5
|[[Warwick]] West
|8,377
|-
|6
|Milverton
|8,269
|-
|7
|Manor
|8,162
|-
|8
|Park Hill
|8,124
|-
|9
|[[Whitnash]]
|7,796
|-
|10
|Abbey
|7,552
|-
|11
|St John's
|7,543
|-
|12
|Crown
|5,829
|-
|13
|[[Cubbington]]
|5,777
|-
|14
|[[Budbrooke]]
|5,223
|-
|15
|Clarendon
|4,954
|-
|16
|[[Stoneleigh, Warwickshire|Stoneleigh]]
|3,049
|-
|17
|[[Lapworth]]
|2,870
|-
|18
|[[Bishop's Tachbrook]]
|2,514
|-
|19
|[[Radford Semele]]
|2,494
|-
|20
|[[Leek Wootton]]
|2,439
|-
|}

N.B. Ward populations will differ from the village population which they are named after and which they are linked to as ward boundaries very rarely match village boundaries exactly. The [[Warwick (Electoral Changes) Order 2014]] redrew the electoral boundaries in 2014, abolishing many of those outlined above.<ref name="S3">{{cite web |title=Wards of the district of Warwick and number of councillors |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/26/article/3/made |website=[[Legislation.gov.uk]] |access-date=18 September 2019}}</ref>


==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Warwick, UK - panoramio (47).jpg|Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire and the second-largest settlement in the district
File:Kenilworth ClockTower SSE.jpg|Kenilworth, the third-largest settlement in the district and close to the border with [[Coventry]]
File:Heathcote Road, Whitnash - geograph.org.uk - 1895734.jpg|Whitnash, the fourth-largest settlement in the district
File:Royal Leamington Spa Town Council.jpg|[[Leamington Spa Town Hall]], the meeting place of both Leamington Spa Town Council and Warwick District Council
File:Church of St Mary, Warwick, crop.jpg|[[Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick|Collegiate Church of St Mary]], the parish church of [[Warwick]] and one of the largest churches in Warwickshire
File:Warwick Castle May 2016.jpg|[[Warwick Castle]], Warwick is the historic castle of the town and one of its oldest landmarks.
File:All Saints Church, Gloucester Street, Leamington Spa.jpg|[[All Saints Church, Leamington Spa]], the parish church of Leamington Spa and a grade-II* listed building
File:Kenilworth Castle keep from the south-west 2016.jpg|[[Kenilworth Castle]], the historic castle in the market town of Kenilworth
File:Royal Pump Rooms & Baths, Leamington Spa (6273230949).jpg|The Royal Pump Rooms and Baths, Leamington Spa which house the spa baths and give Leamington Spa its status as a spa town.
File:Warwick Racecourse - geograph.org.uk - 731562.jpg|[[Warwick Racecourse]] in Warwick, which is a horse-racing track
File:St Margaret ^ Warwick Gates Community Church, Whitnash - geograph.org.uk - 2187012.jpg|Whitnash parish church and Warwick Gates.
File:Lord Leycester Hospital -Warwick3.jpg|[[Lord Leycester Hospital]], an old hospital in Warwick
File:Guy's Cliffe House 2016.jpg|Guy's Cliffe House in the north of Warwick is a ruined Gothic house.
</gallery>
==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />

Latest revision as of 03:14, 22 December 2024

Warwick District
Non-metropolitan district
Leamington Spa, the largest settlement in the district.
Leamington Spa, the largest settlement in the district.
Shown within Warwickshire
Shown within Warwickshire
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Constituent countryEngland
RegionWest Midlands
Administrative countyWarwickshire
Admin. HQLeamington Spa
Government
 • MPs:Matt Western (L)
Jeremy Wright (C)
Area
 • Total
109 sq mi (283 km2)
 • Rank124th
Population
 (2021 census)
 • Total
148,500
 • Rank143rd
 • Density1,360/sq mi (524/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)
[1]
 • Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[1]
 • Religion
List
Time zoneUTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
ONS code44UF (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]

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

History

[edit]

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

[edit]
Warwick Avon District Council
Logo
Type
Type
Leadership
Robert Margrave,
Whitnash RA
since 17 May 2023[7]
Ian Davison,
Green
since 17 May 2023
Chris Elliott
Structure
Seats44 councillors
Political groups
Administration (24)
  Green (14)
  Labour (10)
Other parties (20)
  Liberal Democrats (10)
  Conservative (6)
  Whitnash RA (3)
  Independent (1)
Length of term
4 years
Elections
First past the post
Last election
4 May 2023
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
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.[8] The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.[9]

Political control

[edit]

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.[10]

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:[11][12]

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

Leadership

[edit]

The leaders of the council since 1995 have been:[13]

Councillor Party From To
Ian Dove Labour 1995 19 Apr 2000
Margaret Begg Liberal Democrats 19 Apr 2000 13 Jun 2001
Ian Dove Labour 13 Jun 2001 24 Apr 2002
Bob Crowther Labour 24 Apr 2002 May 2007
Michael Coker Conservative May 2007 2008
Michael Doody Conservative 2008 4 Dec 2013
Andrew Mobbs Conservative 4 Dec 2013 5 May 2019
Andrew Day Conservative 15 May 2019 17 May 2023
Ian Davison Green 17 May 2023

Composition

[edit]

Following the 2023 election and a change of allegiance in April 2024, the composition of the council was:[14][15]

Party Councillors
Green 14
Labour 10
Liberal Democrats 10
Conservative 6
Whitnash Residents Association 3
Independent 1
Total 44

The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

[edit]
See also: Warwick District Council 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.[16]

Premises

[edit]
Council's main offices: Riverside House, Milverton Hill, Leamington Spa, CV32 5HZ

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.[17] The council has its main offices at Riverside House on Milverton Hill in Leamington, close to the River Leam. That building was completed in 1984 as the headquarters of the Leamington Spa Building Society, and was subsequently bought by the council in the late 1990s.[18] Plans are being considered to move the council's main offices nearer to the town centre of Leamington Spa; various schemes have been proposed since 2016, but none has yet to come to fruition.[19][20]

The environment

[edit]

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.[21] On 20 January 2020 it was announced that electric cars would be given free parking in council car parks.[22] 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.[23] On 26 February the full council unanimously agreed the proposal, triggering the 7 May referendum,[24] – 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

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Ethnic Group 2001[25] 2011[26]
Number % Number %
White: British 111,043 88.19% 114,739 83.36%
White: Irish 2,525 2.01% 2,146 1.56%
White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller 41 0.03%
White: Other 3,448 2.74% 5,789 4.21%
White: Total 117,016 92.94% 122,715 89.15%
Asian or Asian British: Indian 5,218 4.14% 6,745 4.90%
Asian or Asian British: Pakistani 222 0.18% 480 0.35%
Asian or Asian British: Bangladeshi 22 0.02% 69 0.05%
Asian or Asian British: Chinese 521 0.41% 1,155 0.84%
Asian or Asian British: Other Asian 435 0.35% 1,496 1.09%
Asian or Asian British: Total 6,418 5.10% 9,945 7.22%
Black or Black British: Caribbean 360 0.29% 389 0.28%
Black or Black British: African 168 0.13% 474 0.34%
Black or Black British: Other Black 59 0.05% 110 0.08%
Black or Black British: Total 587 0.47% 973 0.71%
Mixed: White and Black Caribbean 506 0.40% 861 0.63%
Mixed: White and Black African 93 0.07% 233 0.17%
Mixed: White and Asian 503 0.40% 1,070 0.78%
Mixed: Other Mixed 281 0.22% 639 0.46%
Mixed: Total 1,383 1.10% 2,803 2.04%
Other: Arab 231 0.17%
Other: Any other ethnic group 981 0.71%
Other: Total 504 0.40% 1,212 0.88%
BAME: Total 8,892 7.06% 14,933 10.85%
Total 125,908 100.00% 137,648 100.00%
Religion 2001[27] 2011[28]
Number % Number %
Christian 89,763 71.28% 80,185 58.25%
Buddhist 347 0.28% 521 0.38%
Hindu 848 0.67% 1,633 1.19%
Jewish 207 0.16% 268 0.19%
Muslim 630 0.50% 1,299 0.94%
Sikh 4,239 3.37% 5,373 3.90%
Other religion 355 0.28% 531 0.39%
No religion 20,494 16.27% 37,859 27.50%
Religion not stated 9,051 7.19% 9,979 7.25%
Total 125,934 100.00% 137,648 100.00%

Travel, education and healthcare

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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,[29] St Michael's Hospital and the Warwickshire Nuffield Hospital (non-NHS, part of the Nuffield Health group)[30] Social services is pro On 13 July 2021 a coronavirus "mega lab" was opened in the town. Named after English chemist Rosalind Franklin. The site is expected to be capable of processing "hundreds of thousands of samples a day". The largest laboratory of its kind in the UK, and it is hoped it will create up to 1,500 jobs. It will also play a "key role in responding to new variants of the virus".[31] Historic hospitals included St Michael's Leper Hospital, Warneford Hospital and Central Hospital. Social services and fostering are dealt with on a countywide basis by Warwickshire County Council.

Freedom of district

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Towns and parishes

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Further information: List of civil parishes in Warwickshire

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:[34]

[edit]
  • Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire and the second-largest settlement in the district
    Warwick, the county town of Warwickshire and the second-largest settlement in the district
  • Kenilworth, the third-largest settlement in the district and close to the border with Coventry
    Kenilworth, the third-largest settlement in the district and close to the border with Coventry
  • Whitnash, the fourth-largest settlement in the district
    Whitnash, the fourth-largest settlement in the district
  • Leamington Spa Town Hall, the meeting place of both Leamington Spa Town Council and Warwick District Council
    Leamington Spa Town Hall, the meeting place of both Leamington Spa Town Council and Warwick District Council
  • Collegiate Church of St Mary, the parish church of Warwick and one of the largest churches in Warwickshire
    Collegiate Church of St Mary, the parish church of Warwick and one of the largest churches in Warwickshire
  • Warwick Castle, Warwick is the historic castle of the town and one of its oldest landmarks.
    Warwick Castle, Warwick is the historic castle of the town and one of its oldest landmarks.
  • All Saints Church, Leamington Spa, the parish church of Leamington Spa and a grade-II* listed building
    All Saints Church, Leamington Spa, the parish church of Leamington Spa and a grade-II* listed building
  • Kenilworth Castle, the historic castle in the market town of Kenilworth
    Kenilworth Castle, the historic castle in the market town of Kenilworth
  • The Royal Pump Rooms and Baths, Leamington Spa which house the spa baths and give Leamington Spa its status as a spa town.
    The Royal Pump Rooms and Baths, Leamington Spa which house the spa baths and give Leamington Spa its status as a spa town.
  • Warwick Racecourse in Warwick, which is a horse-racing track
    Warwick Racecourse in Warwick, which is a horse-racing track
  • Whitnash parish church and Warwick Gates.
    Whitnash parish church and Warwick Gates.
  • Lord Leycester Hospital, an old hospital in Warwick
    Lord Leycester Hospital, an old hospital in Warwick
  • Guy's Cliffe House in the north of Warwick is a ruined Gothic house.
    Guy's Cliffe House in the north of Warwick is a ruined Gothic house.

References

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ "Council minutes, 15 May 2024". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
  9. ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Greens and Labour form a coalition on Warwick District Council". Leamington Observer. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  12. ^ "Warwick". BBC News Online. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  13. ^ "Council minutes". Warwick District Council. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
  15. ^ Boothroyd, David (26 April 2024). "Not for glory, nor riches, nor honours". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  16. ^ "The Warwick (Electoral Changes) Order 2018", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2018/1313, retrieved 24 January 2024
  17. ^ "Councillors move out as renovation begins on Leamington Town Hall". Leamington Observer. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  18. ^ "On the move". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 15 November 1984. p. 5. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Warwick District Council set to agree HQ move". leamingtonobserver.co.uk. Leamington Observer. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  20. ^ "Latest on plans to relocate council to Leamington town centre - and what could happen next". www.coventrytelegraph.net. Coventry Telegraph. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Warwick District Council declares a climate emergency". Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  22. ^ "Council to offer free parking for electric vehicles". Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  23. ^ "Warwick District's Climate Emergency Action Programme". Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  24. ^ "Residents in Warwickshire to vote on council tax rise for climate change fund". 26 February 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  25. ^ "Ethnic Group by measures". NOMIS. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Ethnic Group by measures". NOMIS. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  27. ^ "Religion". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  28. ^ "QS208EW - Religion". Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  29. ^ "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.
  30. ^ "Nuffield Hospital Warwick". NHS Choices. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  31. ^ "Covid-19: Leamington Spa 'mega lab' opens to speed up testing". BBC News. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  32. ^ "Warwick Freedom Scroll". www.calligraphyanddesign.com. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  33. ^ "Fusiliers granted freedom of Warwick District". BBC News. BBC. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2013.
  34. ^ "Warwick District - parishes". City Population. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
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52°17′22″N 1°32′37″W / 52.2894°N 1.5435°W / 52.2894; -1.5435

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