Redditch votes to pause local elections amid unitary reform push

Redditch Borough Council voted to postpone May local elections as part of Worcestershire’s move toward a unitary authority (one or two councils for the county). The decision prompted about 50 protesters and a brief disruption after a councillor called a member of the public a Nazi; police attended but said no crime occurred. The move is intended to save about £192,000 and aligns with government reorganisation plans, with a January 15 delay-request deadline. Labour supported delaying to avoid distraction from the reform, while Conservatives opposed pausing democracy.