County council leader Simon Geraghty and chief executive Paul Robinson pitched the idea to district council bosses during a Zoom meeting before Christmas.
But only one district council leader was in favour of the proposal, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands.
There was also a lack of support for deferring the county council elections set to take place in May.
The government’s devolution white paper, published last month, invited counties like Worcestershire, which currently operates a two-tier council system, to propose a new set-up.
Worcestershire County Council’s ruling Conservatives favour moving to a unitary authority, which would take the place of the county council and all six district councils – Worcester, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Kidderminster, Malvern and Wychavon.
Districts seem reluctant to support the idea but we are yet to hear any alternative suggestions.
The county council is currently in charge of services including highways, education and social care, while district councils are responsible for planning, bin collections and housing among other things.
Labour’s white paper also includes plans to introduce new metro mayors for the shire counties.
READ MORE: Worcestershire councils could merge under devolution plans
READ MORE: Devolution could see creation of Three Counties combined authority
Worcestershire could combine with Herefordshire and Gloucestershire to form a Three Counties combined authority and share an elected mayor.
Gloucestershire’s council leader Stephen Davies has said that such an idea is one of several his authority is currently looking into.
Worcestershire could also look towards Shropshire and Herefordshire, as the three counties already share a police force.
Two district council leaders we spoke to were clear that May’s county council elections should go ahead – and there’s nothing on the agenda for this Thursday’s (January 9) full council meeting to suggest Worcestershire will be asking for them to be deferred.
The government has set a deadline of January 10 for requests for the postponement of the elections.
Lynn Denham, leader of Worcester City Council, said: “I think the elections should go ahead in May. We entered this process last year of creating new boundaries based on the recommendations of the Boundary Commission.
“It’s important we now hold an election on those boundaries so that county councillors have a democratic mandate to discuss the future shape of councils and council services in the county.
“We should not be making decisions in a hurry that will have a long-term impact on residents and their futures.”
John Gallagher, leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: “I don’t see any need to defer the elections – they should go ahead, you’ll be looking at a democratic deficit otherwise.
“I do think they’ll go ahead in any case.”
We have asked Worcestershire County Council for comment.