{{Short description|Local authority for the city of Worcester, England}} {{Use British English|date=May 2023}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox legislature |logo_pic = Worcester City Council logo.svg |logo_res = 200px |foundation = |house_type = Non-metropolitan district |leader1_type = Mayor |leader1 = Tor Pingree |party1 = <br/>Green<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilkinson-Jones |first1=Phil |title=Worcester councillors elect city's youngest ever mayor |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/26103203.tor-pingree-becomes-worcesters-youngest-ever-mayor/ |work=Worcester News |date=13 May 2026 |language=en}}</ref> |election1 = 12 May 2026<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ball |first1=Elliot |title=Musician Tor Pingree announced as Worcester's youngest mayor |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgpe1xdlngo |work=BBC News |date=13 May 2026}}</ref> |leader2_type = Leader |leader2 = Lynn Denham |party2 = <br/>Labour |election2 = 14 May 2024 |leader3_type = Managing director |leader3 = David Blake |party3 = <!-- Non-political role --> |election3 = March 2017<ref>{{cite web |title=Management structure |url=https://www.worcester.gov.uk/council/management-structure |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=5 May 2023}}</ref> |name= Worcester City Council |members = 35 councillors |structure1 = |structure1_res= |political_groups1 = ;Administration (17) :{{nowrap|{{Color box |{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}} |border=darkgray}} Labour (17)}} ;Other parties (18) :{{nowrap|{{Color box |{{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}} |border=darkgray}} Green (12)}} :{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Liberal Democrats (5)}} :{{nowrap|{{Color box|{{party color|Reform UK}}|border=darkgray}} Reform (1)}} |last_election1 = 2 May 2024 |next_election1 = 4 May 2028 |term_length= 4 years |session_room = Guildhall, Worcester. - panoramio.jpg |session_res = |meeting_place = The Guildhall, High Street, Worcester, WR1{{nbsp}}2EY |website={{URL|www.worcester.gov.uk}} }} '''Worcester City Council''' is the local authority for the district of Worcester, in Worcestershire, England. Worcester has had a council since medieval times, which has been reformed on numerous occasions. Since 1974 the council has been a non-metropolitan district council. The council consists of 35 councillors, elected from 15 wards. It is based at Worcester Guildhall. The council has been under no overall control since 2022, and has been run by a Labour minority administration since the 2024 election.
==History== Worcester was an ancient borough which had held city status from time immemorial. The city was given the right to appoint its own sheriff in 1621, making it a county corporate, independent from the jurisdiction of the Sheriff of Worcestershire.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Page |first1=William |last2=Willis-Bund |first2=J. W. |title=A History of the County of Worcester: Volume 4 |date=1924 |publisher=Victoria County History |location=London |pages=376–390 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/worcs/vol4/pp376-390 |access-date=13 November 2024}}</ref>
The city was reformed to become a municipal borough in 1836 under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, which standardised how most boroughs operated across the country. It was then governed by a body formally called the "mayor, aldermen and citizens of the city of Worcester", but generally known as the corporation or city council.<ref>{{cite book |title=Municipal Corporations Act |date=1835 |page=459 |url=https://archive.org/details/statutesunitedk35britgoog/page/458/mode/2up |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref> When elected county councils were established in 1889, Worcester was considered large enough for its existing city council to provide county-level services, and so it was made a county borough, independent from Worcestershire County Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=Worcester Municipal Borough / County Borough |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10074368 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=22 September 2022}}</ref>
In 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, the city had its territory enlarged, gaining the parishes of Warndon and St Peter the Great County and it became a non-metropolitan district, with Hereford and Worcester County Council providing county-level services.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|accessdate=22 September 2022}}</ref> Worcester retained its borough status, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor, whilst its city status was re-conferred on the enlarged district, allowing the council to take the name Worcester City Council.<ref>{{cite web |title=District Councils and Boroughs, 28 March 1974 |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1974-03-28/debates/16e5331e-2e6e-4bc7-a7bf-eaa328491acd/DistrictCouncilsAndBoroughs |website=Hansard |access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=46303|page=6486|date=31 May 1974}}</ref> Hereford and Worcester was abolished in 1998, since when a re-established Worcestershire County Council has been the upper-tier authority for Worcester.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Hereford and Worcester (Structural, Boundary and Electoral Changes) Order 1996|year=1996|number=1867|accessdate=29 September 2022}}</ref>
==Political control== The council has been under no overall control since 2022. Following the 2024 election, Labour had most seats and formed a minority administration.<ref name=Wilkinson-Jones/>
Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:<ref name=compositions>{{cite web |title=Compositions Calculator |url=https://www.electionscentre.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/composition_calc.html |access-date=21 May 2025 |website=The Elections Centre |publisher=University of Exeter}} (Put "Worcester" in search box to see specific results.)</ref><ref name=change>{{cite news| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/elections/local_council/08/html/47ue.stm | title = Worcester | access-date = 2010-01-03 | work = BBC News Online | date=2008-04-19}}</ref><ref name=overall>{{cite web| url = http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/local/1704599.print/ | title = Conservatives lose overall control of Worcester City Council | access-date = 2010-01-03 | date = 2007-09-20 | publisher = Worcester News}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" ! colspan=2|Party in control || Years |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1974–1976 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 1976–1980 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1980–1983 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 1983–1986 |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || 1986–2000 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2000–2003 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2003–2007 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2007–2011 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2011–2012 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2012–2015 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2015–2016 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2016–2021 |- | {{Party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || 2021–2022 |- | {{Party name with colour|No overall control}} || 2022–present |}
===Leadership=== The role of Mayor of Worcester is largely ceremonial, with political leadership instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 2002 have been:
{| class=wikitable ! Councillor !! colspan=2|Party !! From !! To !! Notes |- | Margaret Wills<ref>{{cite news |title=Former city councillor passes away at 86 after long illness|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/23936317.former-city-councillor-passes-away-86-long-illness/ |access-date=22 May 2026 |work=Worcester News |date=21 November 2023}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 1998 || align=right|May 1999 || |- | Stephen Inman<ref>{{cite news |title=Shock as council's top man quits job |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/754928.Shock_as__council_s_top_man_quits_job_/ |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=Worcester News |date=9 May 2006}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|2002 || align=right|May 2006 || |- | Simon Geraghty<ref>{{cite news |title=Worcestershire County Council leader Simon Geraghty loses seat |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/25134397.worcestershire-county-council-leader-simon-geraghty-loses-seat/ |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Worcester News |date=2 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Worcester City Council: Labour-led coalition takes control |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-22537775 |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2013}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|May 2006 || align=right|14 May 2013 || |- | Adrian Gregson<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 14 May 2013 |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=338&MId=3018 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Worcester City Council leader Adrian Gregson loses no confidence vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-27691005 |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=BBC News |date=4 June 2014}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|14 May 2013 || align=right|3 Jun 2014 || |- | Simon Geraghty<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 3 June 2014 |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=338&MId=3232 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Tom |title=Tributes paid to Simon Geraghty's time as Worcester City Council leader - as new budget moves a step closer |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14266570.tributes-paid-to-simon-geraghtys-time-as-worcester-city-council-leader-as-new-budget-moves-a-step-closer/ |access-date=22 September 2022 |work=Worcester News |date=10 February 2016}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|3 Jun 2014 || align=right|5 Feb 2016 || |- | Marc Bayliss<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 23 February 2016 |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=111&MId=3725 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Edwards |first1=Tom |title=Elections 2016: Tory leader of Worcester City Council facing battle to stay in office |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/14479179.elections-2016-tory-leader-of-worcester-city-council-facing-battle-to-stay-in-office/ |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Worcester News |date=9 May 2016}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|23 Feb 2016 || align=right|17 May 2016 || |- | Adrian Gregson<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 17 May 2016 |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=338&MId=3717 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Worcester elections 2018: The city votes in crucial poll |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/16203934.worcester-elections-2018-the-city-votes-in-crucial-poll/ |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Worcester News |date=3 May 2018}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|17 May 2016 || align=right|27 Mar 2018 || |- | Marc Bayliss<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 27 March 2018 |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/documents/g4152/Printed%20minutes%2027th-Mar-2018%2019.00%20Council.pdf?T=1 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Worcester council leader to step down for West Mercia Police role |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-62827625 |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=BBC News |date=7 September 2022}}</ref><ref name=29Nov2022/> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|27 Mar 2018 || align=right|29 Nov 2022 || {{efn|Nominally "joint leader" after 17 May 2022, with provision made for Labour as second largest party to appoint another joint leader, but they chose not to do so.<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 17 May 2022 |url=http://committee.worcester.gov.uk/documents/s54118/MDocPackPublic.version0001%20Annual.pdf |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref>}} |- | Chris Mitchell<ref name=29Nov2022>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 29 November 2022 |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=111&MId=5103 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barnett |first1=Christian |title=Worcester council leader loses seat as Conservatives drop seven |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/23502198.worcester-council-leader-loses-seat-conservatives-drop-seven/ |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Worcester News |date=5 May 2023}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Conservative Party (UK)}} || align=right|29 Nov 2022 || align=right|May 2023 || | |- | Lynn Denham<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilkinson-Jones |first1=Phil |last2=Ball |first2=Elliot |title=Council leader decision sparks 'land grab' claims |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czq5q39zyd8o |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2024}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || rowspan=2 align=right|16 May 2023 || rowspan=2 align=right|May 2024 || rowspan=2 align=left|Joint leaders<ref>{{cite web |title=Council minutes, 16 May 2023 |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=430&MId=5536 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref> |- | Marjory Bisset<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilkinson-Jones |first1=Phil |title=Council joint leader Marjory Bisset will not stand for re-election |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24234831.council-joint-leader-marjory-bisset-will-not-stand-re-election/ |access-date=4 July 2025 |work=Worcester News |date=7 April 2024}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} |- | Lynn Denham<ref name=Wilkinson-Jones>{{cite news |last1=Wilkinson-Jones |first1=Phil |title=Labour's Lynn Denham is new leader of Worcester City Council |url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/24321186.labours-lynn-denham-new-leader-worcester-city-council/ |access-date=15 May 2024 |work=Worcester News |date=15 May 2024}}</ref> || {{party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=right|14 May 2024 || || | |} {{notelist}}
===Composition=== Following the 2024 election,<ref>{{cite news |title=Local elections 2024: full council results for England |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ng-interactive/2024/may/02/local-elections-2024-full-council-results-for-england |date=4 May 2024 |access-date=15 May 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> and subsequent changes of allegiance up to July 2025, the composition of the council was as follows:<ref>{{cite web |title=Your Councillors by Party |url=https://committee.worcester.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?FN=PARTY&VW=LIST&PIC=0 |website=Worcester City Council |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" ! colspan=2| Party !! Councillors |- | {{Party name with colour|Labour Party (UK)}} || align=center|17 |- | {{Party name with colour|Green Party of England and Wales}} || align=center|12 |- | {{Party name with colour|Liberal Democrats (UK)}} || align=center|5 |- | {{Party name with colour|Reform UK}} || align=center|1 |- ! colspan=2|Total !! 35 |}
The next election is due in 2028.<ref>{{cite web |title=Worcester |url=https://www.localcouncils.co.uk/councils/?council=worcester |website=Local Councils |publisher=Thorncliffe |access-date=4 July 2025}}</ref>
==Elections== {{main|Worcester City Council elections}} Since the last boundary changes in 2024 the council has comprised 35 councillors representing 16 wards, with each ward electing two or three councillors. Elections are held every four years.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Worcester (Electoral Changes) Order 2024|year=2024|number=122|access-date=15 May 2024}}</ref>
==Premises== The city council is based at Worcester Guildhall on the High Street in the city centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Worcester City Council |url=https://www.worcester.gov.uk/ |access-date=29 September 2022}}</ref> The current guildhall was built in 1723 on a site which had been occupied by a guildhall since about 1227.<ref name=discover>{{cite web|url=https://www.discoverworcestershire.co.uk/listing/worcester-guildhall/|title=Worcester Guildhall|publisher=Discover Worcestershire|access-date=24 August 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Non-metropolitan district councils of England Category:Local authorities in Worcestershire City Council