Wychavon

Wychavon

Wychavon

Non-metropolitan district in England

52.114°N 2.081°W / 52.114; -2.081

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Wychavon is a local government district in Worcestershire, England. The largest towns are Evesham and Droitwich Spa; the council is based in the town of Pershore. The district also includes numerous villages and surrounding rural areas, and includes part of the Cotswolds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The district's name references the Saxon Kingdom of Hwicce and the River Avon. The population in 2021 was 133,100.

The neighbouring districts are Malvern Hills, Worcester, Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Stratford-on-Avon, Cotswold, and Tewkesbury.

History

The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, covering the area of five former districts, which were all abolished at the same time:[3]

The name Wychavon was coined for the new district. "Wych" phonetically recalls the Saxon Kingdom of Hwicce, and "Avon" is for the River Avon.[4]

Governance

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Wychavon District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Worcestershire County Council.[7] The whole district is covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government.[8]

Since 2014 the council has shared a chief executive and other staff with neighbouring Wychavon District Council.[9]

Droitwich Spa, the district's second-largest town.
Pershore, known for Pershore Abbey is the third-largest settlement and the administrative centre of the district.

Political control

The council has been under Conservative majority control since 1999.

The first election to the council was held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until it came into its powers on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows:[10][11][12]

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Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1999 have been:[13]

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Composition

Following the 2023 election the composition of the council was:[17]

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The next election is due in 2027.

Elections

See also: Wychavon District Council elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2023 the council has comprised 43 councillors representing 27 wards, each electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.[18]

Premises

The council is based at the Civic Centre on Queen Elizabeth Drive in Pershore, which was purpose-built for the council in 1991. The council also maintains offices in Droitwich and Evesham.[19]

Civil parishes

Further information: List of civil parishes in Worcestershire

The whole district is divided into civil parishes. The parish councils for Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Pershore have declared their parishes to be towns, allowing them to take the style "town council". Broadway is a post town, but has not been declared a town by its parish council.[20] The Wychavon district includes the following civil parishes:

References

  1. [1]
    "Mid-Year Population Estimates, UK, June 2021". Office for National Statistics. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  2. [2]
    UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Wychavon Local Authority (E07000238)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  3. [3]
    "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 31 May 2023
  4. [4]
    "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
  5. [5]
    "Council minutes, 17 May 2023". Wychavon District Council. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  6. [6]
    Calkin, Sarah (15 May 2020). "People moves: Districts confirm joint chiefs, Howe returns to local government". Local Government Chronicle. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  7. [7]
    "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
  8. [8]
    "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  9. [9]
    Cosgrove, David (17 October 2014). "Malvern Hills and Wychavon Councils to share chief executive". Worcester News. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  10. [10]
    "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  11. [11]
    "Complete round-up of results from Thursday's local council elections". The Times. NewsBank. 4 May 1991.
  12. [12]
    "England council elections". BBC News Online. 10 May 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  13. [13]
    "Council minutes". Wychavon District Council. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  14. [14]
    "Middle England takes its revenge". Birmingham Post. 8 May 1999. p. 3. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  15. [15]
    "Cutback council 'forgot' £658,000". Birmingham Post. 19 July 1999. p. 3. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  16. [16]
    "Leaders picked for Wychavon". Worcester News. 28 May 2003. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  17. [17]
    "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
  18. [18]
    "The Wychavon (Electoral Changes) Order 2023", legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives, SI 2023/26, retrieved 11 February 2024
  19. [19]
    "Contact us". Wychavon District Council. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  20. [20]
    "Parish Councils". Wychavon District Council. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
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