Nuneaton and Bedworth is a local government district with borough status in Warwickshire, England. It includes the towns of Nuneaton (where the council is based) and Bedworth, as well as a modest rural hinterland including the village of Bulkington.
The neighbouring districts are Rugby, Coventry, North Warwickshire and Hinckley and Bosworth.
The district was created on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, by a merger of two former districts which were both abolished at the same time, these were:
The new district was initially named Nuneaton, after its largest town. Nuneaton's borough status, which it had held since 1907, was transferred to the enlarged district, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor. Following a campaign from Bedworth residents the borough's name was changed to "Nuneaton and Bedworth" with effect from 1 October 1980.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council provides district-level services. County-level services are provided by Warwickshire County Council. There are no civil parishes in the borough, which is an unparished area.
At the 2024 election, Labour won a two-seat majority on the council. A subsequent change of allegiance in December 2024 left Labour with exactly half the seats on the council, since when it has been under no overall control.
Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms has been as follows:
The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Nuneaton and Bedworth. Political leadership is provided instead by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1974 have been:
Following the 2024 election, and a subsequent change of allegiance in December 2024, the composition of the council was:
The next election is due in May 2026.
Since the last boundary changes in 2024 the council has comprised 38 councillors representing 19 wards, with each ward electing two councillors. Elections are held in alternate years, with half the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time for a four-year term of office.
The council is based at Nuneaton Town Hall on Coton Road in Nuneaton. The building was purpose-built for the old Nuneaton Borough Council and opened in 1934.
Nuneaton and Bedworth are divided into 19 wards, each represented by 2 councillors, giving a total of 38 councillors. The borough has no civil parishes.
For a sortable list of wards in Nuneaton and Bedworth by population, see List of wards in Nuneaton and Bedworth by population.
Nuneaton and Bedworth is twinned with: