11/08/2026
From the Deputy Leader of Redditch Labour.
Redditch Residents are being let down by Elected Representatives.
‘Redditch residents are being let down by a controlling group of self-serving career politicians, who put their own ambitions above the needs of the residents they claim to represent,’ claims Cllr Jane Spilsbury, Deputy Leader of the Labour group of Redditch Borough Councillors. Labour councillors are calling out Conservative, Reform and Independent Councillors for what they describe as ‘underhand voting tactics’.
At an Extraordinary Council meeting on Monday 10th August, councillors voted on ward boundaries under the new unitary authority, to ensure that Redditch retains the maximum number of councillors on the shadow council to be elected in May 2027.
The recommended scenario would see four of the smallest wards by population combined into two new wards with 3 councillors each:
- Astwood Bank and Feckenham joined with Webheath and Callow Hill, with 3 Ward councillors and 14321 residents, which is 10% above the average ratio of residents per councillor across Redditch.
- North and Winyates wards joined together with 3 councillors and 14156 residents, which is 9% above the average ratio.
Cllr Jane Spilsbury said, ‘Labour councillors were happy to support this recommendation on the grounds that the Electoral Matters Committee considered comprehensive information provided by officers and recommended scenario one. We were satisfied that scenario one would ensure that all Redditch residents are fairly and equally served by councillors and that residents would feel comfortable with the new arrangements, taking into account existing community partnerships.’
Before the vote, Cllr Nic Pioli, the Reform group leader proposed an amendment to the recommendation, supporting scenario six, which would combine Greenlands and Lakeside with Matchborough and Woodrow, and combining Batchley and Brockhill and Central, to create two new wards, Redditch North and Central, Batchley and Brockhill, with
over 15300 residents in each, which represents 18% and 19% above the average ratio across Redditch of residents per councillor.
Conservative, Reform and independent councillors voted for scenario six, against the recommendation of the Electoral Matters Committee.
After the meeting, Cllr Rita Rogers said, ‘The decision to propose an alternative recommendation flies in the face of the democratic process. What is the point of an Electoral Matters Committee when their recommendation is dismissed by full council?’
Cllr Jane Spilsbury added, ‘Scenario six will see far higher ratios of residents to councillors, undermining Reform’s purported principle of fair representation. Cllr Matt Dormer, the Conservative leader of Redditch Borough Council, has only 4 elected Conservative councillors, so he relies on Reform councillors, many of whom I would argue are politically naïve, and independent councillors to maintain control, manipulating the democratic process to achieve his goals. It was disappointing to see independent councillors voting to combine their own wards, letting down their residents. It is clear that Redditch residents are being let down by a controlling group of self-serving career politicians, who put their own ambitions above the needs of the residents they claim to represent.
