Warwick's MP has said answers are needed after the collapse of the proposed merger between Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils.

Leader of WDC Cllr Andrew Day announced last week that there merger would no longer be going ahead after Stratford got cold feet over the plans.

And whilst the local Liberal Democrat leader has also blamed SDC for the collapse, Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western said it should never have gone ahead in the first place.

"It is still too early to say exactly what the breakdown means for the residents of Warwick and Stratford districts," he said.

"But it has always been a flawed concept and unpopular with the public.

"It would have damaged democracy and accountability in our area and meant a reduction in the number of councillors.

"New charges for waste collection in Warwick district are extremely unpopular and the uncertainty around our housing stock made it even more unpalatable for residents."

Speaking at last week's WDC cabinet meeting Cllr Day said the merger - which was approved by both councils in December - had already saved the public money.

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And added that services between the two councils would still be shared regardless of the merger collapsing.

But Mr Western said there needed to be full transparency and accountability from both councils.

"Cllr Jefferson has made vague suggestions the decision was somehow related to the cost-of-living crisis while, conflictingly, Cllr Day has insisted the now-halted merger process has not cost the taxpayer – which seems improbable," he added.

"I've sent off a raft of questions to Warwick District Council and to the Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, which might get us closer to the truth.

"In the meantime, the public wants to know how much this failed venture has cost the taxpayer, why due diligence was not undertaken before the merger was agreed and whether the government has other plans for regional governance that we don't yet know about.

"More than 1,750 people signed my petition against the merger and the councils' public consultation was far from conclusive – with 64 per cent of people in Warwick district opposing the changes in the online questionnaire.

"Petitioners and I still support the principle of a citizens' assembly and referendum to democratically decide on any future reforms to regional councils.

"Our local democratic future should not be decided by the outcome of Conservative Party power games."

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(Header image via parliament.uk)