Wyre Forest District

Last updated

Wyre Forest
Non-metropolitan district
A view over Kidderminster town centre - geograph.org.uk - 2054764.jpg
Kidderminster, the district's largest town and administrative centre
Wyre Forest UK locator map.svg
Wyre Forest shown within Worcestershire
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
Region West Midlands
Non-metropolitan county Worcestershire
Status Non-metropolitan district
Admin HQ Kidderminster
Incorporated1 April 1974
Government
 • TypeNon-metropolitan district council
 • BodyWyre Forest District Council
 •  MP Mark Garnier
Area
 • Total75.4 sq mi (195.4 km2)
 • Rank147th (of 296)
Population
 (2021 Census)
 • Total101,600
 • Rank237th (of 296)
 • Density1,300/sq mi (520/km2)
Ethnicity (2021)
[1]
 •  Ethnic groups
List
Religion (2021)
[1]
 •  Religion
List
Time zone UTC0 (GMT)
 • Summer (DST) UTC+1 (BST)
ONS code 47UG (ONS)
E07000239 (GSS)
OS grid reference SO8264776847

Wyre Forest is a local government district in Worcestershire, England. It is named after the ancient woodland of Wyre Forest. The largest town is Kidderminster, where the council is based. The district also includes the towns of Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley, along with several villages and surrounding rural areas.

Contents

The district borders Bromsgrove District to the east, Wychavon to the south-east, Malvern Hills District to the south-west, Shropshire to the north-west, and South Staffordshire to the north.

History

The district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. The new district covered the area of four former districts, which were all abolished at the same time: [2]

The new district was named after the ancient woodland of Wyre Forest, much of which lies within the area. [3]

Since 2011, Wyre Forest has formed part of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership.

Governance

Wyre Forest District Council
Wyre Forest District Council logo.svg
Type
Type
Leadership
John Byng,
Conservative
since 15 May 2024 [4]
Marcus Hart,
Conservative
since 17 May 2023
Ian Miller
since December 2009 [5]
Structure
Seats33 Councillors
Political groups
Administration (20)
  Conservative (20)
Other parties (13)
  Independent (7)
  Labour (3)
  Liberal Democrats (2)
  Green (1)
Elections
Last election
 4 May 2023
Next election
6 May 2027
Meeting place
New council offices at Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster - geograph.org.uk - 3188289.jpg
Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF
Website
www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk

Wyre Forest District Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Worcestershire County Council. The whole district is also covered by civil parishes, which form a third tier of local government. [6]

Political control

The council has been under Conservative majority control since the 2023 election.

The first elections to the council were held in 1973, initially operating as a shadow authority alongside the outgoing authorities until the new arrangements took effect on 1 April 1974. Political control of the council since 1974 has been as follows: [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Party in controlYears
No overall control 1974–1976
Conservative 1976–1979
No overall control 1979–1996
Labour 1996–1999
No overall control 1999–2002
Health Concern 2002–2002
No overall control 2002–2008
Conservative 2008–2009
No overall control 2009–2010
Conservative 2010–2012
No overall control 2012–2015
Conservative 2015–2019
No overall control 2019–2023
Conservative 2023–present

Leadership

The leaders of the council since 1974 have been: [12] [13]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Graham Smith [14] Labour 19741975
Malcolm Cooper [15] Conservative 19751979
Anthony Batchelor [16] Liberal 1979May 1983
Graham Ballinger [17] Conservative 19831984
Anthony Batchelor Liberal 19841985
Mike Oborski Liberal 19851986
Gilbert Edwards Liberal 19861989
Jamie Shaw [18] Labour 19891994
Jane Bonnick [19] [20] Liberal Democrats 1994Oct 1995
Jamie Shaw [21] [22] Labour 19961999
(no leader)19992000
Mike Oborski [23] [24] Liberal 200015 May 2002
Liz Davies [25] Health Concern 15 May 200214 May 2003
Howard Martin [26] Health Concern 14 May 200313 Jun 2004
Stephen Clee Conservative 30 Jun 200416 May 2007
John Campion Conservative 16 May 20072 Apr 2014
Marcus Hart Conservative 2 Apr 201422 May 2019
Graham Ballinger Health Concern 22 May 201912 May 2021
Helen Dyke [19] Independent 12 May 202117 May 2023
Marcus Hart Conservative 17 May 2023

Composition

Following the 2023 election and a change of allegiance in February 2024, the composition of the council was: [27] [28]

PartyCouncillors
Conservative 20
Independent 7
Labour 3
Liberal Democrats 2
Green 1
Total33

The Green councillor sits in a group with the independents. [29] The next election is due in 2027.

Premises

Civic Centre, New Street, Stourport-on-Severn: Council's headquarters until 2012. Civic Centre, New Street - geograph.org.uk - 1107421.jpg
Civic Centre, New Street, Stourport-on-Severn: Council's headquarters until 2012.

The council is based at Wyre Forest House, which was purpose-built for the council and completed in 2012. [30] The building is in the parish of Stourport-on-Severn, but lies on the outskirts of Kidderminster and has a Kidderminster postal address. Prior to 2012 the council was based at the Civic Centre on New Street in Stourport-on-Severn, which had been completed in 1966 for the old Stourport-on-Severn Urban District Council. [31]

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2015 the council has comprised 33 councillors representing 12 wards, with each ward electing one, two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years. [32]

Wards

Stourport-on-Severn, the second-largest settlement in the district. Staffordshire ^ Worcestershire Canal in Stourport-on-Severn town centre - geograph.org.uk - 3091023.jpg
Stourport-on-Severn, the second-largest settlement in the district.

The wards are: [32]

  • Aggborough & Spennells
  • Areley Kings & Riverside
  • Bewdley & Rock
  • Blakebrook & Habberley South
  • Broadwaters
  • Foley Park & Hoobrook
  • Franche & Habberley North
  • Lickhill
  • Mitton
  • Offmore & Comberton
  • Wribbenhall & Arley
  • Wyre Forest Rural

Wider politics

The Wyre Forest parliamentary constituency, which covers most of the district, is represented by the Conservative MP Mark Garnier. He has held the seat since the 2010 general election, when he gained it from Richard Taylor of Health Concern, who had held the seat from 2001 to 2010. [33]

Demography

In Wyre Forest, the population size has increased by 3.7%, from around 98,000 in 2011 to 101,600 in 2021. [34]

Parishes

Bewdley, best known for the Severn Valley Railway and its historic Georgian buildings is the third-largest settlement in the district Bewdley Town Centre - geograph.org.uk - 1707868.jpg
Bewdley, best known for the Severn Valley Railway and its historic Georgian buildings is the third-largest settlement in the district

The whole district is divided into civil parishes. The parish councils for Bewdley, Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn take the style "town council". [35]

Schools

There are five secondary schools within the district.

Media

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worcestershire</span> County of England

Worcestershire is a ceremonial county in the West Midlands of England. It is bordered by Shropshire, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands county to the north, Warwickshire to the east, Gloucestershire to the south, and Herefordshire to the west. The city of Worcester is the largest settlement and the county town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidderminster</span> Human settlement in England

Kidderminster is a market town and civil parish in Worcestershire, England, 20 miles (32 km) south-west of Birmingham and 12 miles (19 km) north of Worcester. Located north of the River Stour and east of the River Severn, in the 2021 census, it had a population of 57,400. The town is twinned with Husum, Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bewdley</span> Human settlement in England

Bewdley is a town and civil parish in the Wyre Forest District in Worcestershire, England on the banks of the River Severn. It is in the Severn Valley, and is 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Kidderminster, 10 miles (16 km) North of Worcester and 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Birmingham. It lies on the River Severn, at the gateway of the Wyre Forest national nature reserve, and at the time of the 2011 census had a population of 9,470. Bewdley is a popular tourist destination and is known for the Bewdley Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, and the well preserved Georgian riverside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stourport-on-Severn</span> Human settlement in England

Stourport-on-Severn, often shortened to Stourport, is a town and civil parish in the Wyre Forest District of North Worcestershire, England, a few miles to the south of Kidderminster and downstream on the River Severn from Bewdley. At the 2021 census, it had a population of 20,653.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wyre Forest</span> Large, semi-natural woodland in England

Wyre Forest is a large, semi-natural woodland and forest measuring 26.34 square kilometres (10.17 sq mi) which straddles the borders of Worcestershire and Shropshire, England. Knowles Mill, a former corn mill owned by the National Trust, lies within the forest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Areley Kings</span> Human settlement in England

Areley Kings is a village on the River Severn, in the civil parish of Stourport-on-Severn, in the Wyre Forest of Worcestershire, England. It is 10 miles north of Worcester and south of Stourport on Severn. It is in the Wyre Forest. The village is featured in the Domesday Book and is home to many historical places of interest such as Areley Hall and St Bartholomew's Church.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kidderminster railway station</span> Railway station in Worcestershire, England

Kidderminster railway station is the main station serving the large town of Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England and the wider Wyre Forest district. The station is operated by West Midlands Trains, and is on the Birmingham to Worcester via Kidderminster Line. Regular commuter services run to Birmingham and Worcester. It shares its station approach with the adjacent Severn Valley Railway station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bewdley railway station</span> Station in Worcestershire, England

Bewdley railway station serves the town of Bewdley in Worcestershire, England. Until 2014, it was the administrative headquarters of the Severn Valley Railway, after which they were moved to Comberton Hill, Kidderminster. Bewdley is the principal intermediate station on the line.

The Bewdley School is a senior school and sixth form in Bewdley, serving north-west Worcestershire, England. Its campus is very close to the River Severn and lies on the border of the Wyre Forest national nature reserve. Bewdley is an educational research partner of the University of Worcester and University of Birmingham and is recognised for its focus on international and cultural education. In 2019, Bewdley hosted the Global Happiness Conference in partnership with the British Council. The Bewdley School has close ties with the nearby Bewdley Rowing Club established in 1877.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Wyre Forest District Council election</span> 2002 UK local government election

The 2002 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 2 May 2002 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Independent Kidderminster Hospital and Health Concern party gained overall control of the council from no overall control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2003 Wyre Forest District Council election</span>

The 2003 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 1 May 2003 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Wyre Forest District Council election</span> Election in Worcestershire, England

The 2004 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 10 June 2004 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. The whole council was up for election with boundary changes since the last election in 2003. The council stayed under no overall control, but with the Conservatives taking over as the largest party on the council from the Health Concern party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Wyre Forest District Council election</span> 2008 UK local government election

The 2008 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 1 May 2008 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative Party gained overall control of the council from no overall control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Wyre Forest District Council election</span> 2011 UK local government election

The 2011 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 5 May 2011 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the Conservative Party stayed in overall control of the council.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Wyre Forest District Council election</span> 2014 UK local government election

The 2014 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 22 May 2014 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. One third of the council was up for election and the council stayed under no overall control.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Wyre Forest District Council election</span> 2015 UK local government election

The 2015 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 7 May 2015 to elect members of Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. The whole council was up for election after boundary changes reduced the number of seats by nine. The Conservative Party gained overall control of the council from no overall control.

The 2018 Wyre Forest District Council election took place on 3 May 2018 to elect members of the Wyre Forest District Council in Worcestershire, England. They were held on the same day as other local elections.

References

  1. 1 2 UK Census (2021). "2021 Census Area Profile – Wyre Forest Local Authority (E07000239)". Nomis. Office for National Statistics . Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1972/2039, retrieved 31 May 2023
  3. ↑ "The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Names) Order 1973", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 1973/551, retrieved 31 May 2023
  4. ↑ "New Chairman at Wyre Forest District Council". Wyre Forest District Council. 16 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  5. ↑ "New chief exec for district council". Kidderminster Shuttle. 23 October 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. ↑ "Local Government Act 1972", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, 1972 c. 70, retrieved 31 May 2023
  7. ↑ "Compositions calculator". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "Wyre Forest". BBC News . 23 May 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  9. ↑ Land, Jon (11 December 2009). "Huge boost for Labour in latest council by-elections". 24dash.com. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "local elections 2010". theguardian.com . 7 May 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  11. ↑ "Tories take total control of Wyre Forest Council". The Shuttle . 8 May 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  12. ↑ "Council minutes". Wyre Forest District Council. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  13. ↑ "Past Leaders of Wyre Forest District Council". Wyre Forest District Council. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  14. ↑ Alston, Trevor (12 December 1974). "Groups ready for a battle to stop the West Orbital route". Birmingham Post. p. 21. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  15. ↑ "Parties' musical chairs". Birmingham Post. 21 April 1976. p. 24. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  16. ↑ "Jobs are the big issue in carpet country". Evening Mail. Birmingham. 30 May 1983. p. 7. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  17. ↑ "Warning of 6p rate rise next year". Sandwell Evening Mail. West Bromwich. 20 September 1983. p. 19. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  18. ↑ "Council faces £1m shortfall". Sandwell Evening Mail. West Bromwich. 10 December 1992. p. 14. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  19. 1 2 Rawlins, Jack (13 May 2021). "Helen Dyke appointed as Wyre Forest District Council leader". The Shuttle. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  20. ↑ "Leader resigns". Birmingham Mail. 12 October 1995. p. 5. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  21. ↑ Gray, Chris (4 May 1996). "Labour gains spark loony left warning". Birmingham Post. p. 1. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  22. ↑ "Wyre Forest Labour 'horrified' by James Shaw's child sex crime". Kidderminster Shuttle. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  23. ↑ Meadowcroft, Michael (5 April 2007). "Mike Oborski". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  24. ↑ "Town suffers from 18-mile factor". Worcester News. 14 March 2002. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  25. ↑ "Health party takes control". Worcester News. 9 May 2002. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  26. ↑ "New man at the helm". Worcester News. 15 May 2003. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  27. ↑ "Local elections 2023: live council results for England". The Guardian.
  28. ↑ Rawlins, Jack (2 February 2024). "Wyre Forest Labour leader Leigh Whitehouse quits party". The Shuttle. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  29. ↑ "Independent and Green group". Wyre Forest District Council. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  30. ↑ "New £10.5m Wyre Forest District Council HQ to open its doors". The Shuttle . 28 September 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2015.
  31. ↑ "History of the Civic". The Civic Stourport. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  32. 1 2 "The Wyre Forest (Electoral Changes) Order 2015", legislation.gov.uk , The National Archives, SI 2015/70, retrieved 7 July 2023
  33. ↑ Klensch, Sabine (7 May 2010). "General election 2010: Tories gain Wyre Forest from independent Taylor". politics.co.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  34. ↑ "How the population changed in Wyre Forest, Census 2021 - ONS". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  35. ↑ "Town and parish councils". Wyre Forest District Council. Retrieved 7 July 2023.

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