Local government in Leicestershire is changing - We need views to help shape our proposal

The government wants to reduce the number of councils in areas like ours and make things simpler and more efficient. This will mean new unitary councils are created to provide all services. They will replace the district and borough councils, and the county councils.

Working together: The seven district and borough councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council are working together to look at how we can make this work best for local communities.

Big enough to deliver, close enough to respond

Leicestershire's seven district and borough councils and Rutland County Council have shared what they think, along with an initial preference for the reorganisation of councils.

We don't believe plans for a single unitary council covering the whole of Leicestershire and serving 800,000 residents is the right approach. It would be too cumbersome, remote, and inaccessible for local communities. Rather than unlocking the benefits of devolution, there are concerns this could be more costly and less effective.

From the work we've carried out so far, a preferred model for local government structures in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is emerging. That model is for three unitary councils for our shared area:

• One to serve North Leicestershire and Rutland
  (an area currently served by North West Leicestershire, Charnwood and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council)
• One for South Leicestershire
  (an area currently served by Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, and Oadby and Wigston district and borough councils)
• One for the city of Leicester
  (based on its existing boundaries)

The benefits

• Three well-balanced unitary councils serving a similar number of residents
• Simpler local government structures so it is easier to understand who does what
• Councils that are more local, accessible and accountable
• More representative of existing places and how people live their lives
• Makes significant savings
• Keeps issues like planning closer to communities
• Enables Devolution and supports the creation of a Mayor for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Provides the best balance between strategic and operation and will fit better with the new strategic authority
• Aligns with other local public service boundaries
• The right size and alignment for local collaboration and to work with other agencies on prevention
• Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland would continue to be served by three social care authorities

As part of our work to develop an interim plan we have considered a range of factors such as population sizes (now and in the future), how people work, live and commute, economic and commercial opportunities in the area and the local job and skills markets. We are also looking at future demand for services such as adult social care and children's services.

Based on this initial piece of work, the option for unitary authorities in the north and south, and the city, seem to offer the best balance when looking at a range of those factors.

This emerging way forward is very much about getting the balance right for communities, ensuring new councils cover diverse areas, are filled with opportunity, understand their challenges and can help Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland move forward into a more positive future.

Your views are important to us:

Councils looking at local government reorganisation need to submit an interim plan by 21 March 2025. Because this initial deadline is so tight, we're carrying out some initial engagement with residents and stakeholders to help shape our interim plans.

We also have a short feedback form if you'd like to tell us what you think about devolution at this early stage.

A more comprehensive package of public engagement will follow this summer to help us develop final proposals that must be submitted by 28 November 2025.

The Government will also carry out a consultation on any final proposal, so there will be ample opportunity for people to get involved.

HAVE YOU SAY HERE: Local Government Reorganisation Initial Engagement