fot BBC
Leicestershire County Council is developing plans to create a single council for Leicestershire, excluding Rutland and Leicester City, as part of a broader government push to move away from the current ‘two-tier’ local government structure. The council is now seeking feedback from residents on the proposal.
The Government has made it clear it wants to move away from ‘two-tier’ local government, so plans are being drawn up to create one council for Leicestershire (excluding Rutland and Leicester City), forging stronger links with communities, reducing duplication, and simplifying local government.
Benefits of a Single Council
Bringing together eight councils into one single body would:
- Save around £30 million every year – through fewer managers, chief executives, and councillors.
- Enable savings – to be reinvested in front-line services.
- Make it easier to get support – by giving residents clear and simple access to all services, whether by phone, online, or through local area committees.
- Future-proof services – protecting the support residents depend on at a time when local government is facing spiraling costs.
- Improve support for vulnerable people – by joining up health, social care, and housing services.
- Give communities a stronger voice – local area committees would have greater influence over decision-making.
- Boost accountability – reducing confusion over who is responsible for what.
Timescales
Initial proposals need to be submitted by 21 March, with a more detailed plan completed by November.
What It Could Mean for Residents
- One set of rules for recycling – wherever you live or work.
- The right support in one place – no need to call multiple councils.
- Road sign queries resolved efficiently – handled by one team rather than multiple councils.
- Better support for vulnerable people – by integrating health, social care, and housing services.
- A countywide leisure pass – offering access to centres across Leicestershire.
- One system for benefits and Council Tax collection.
- One ‘local plan’ – ensuring development is well-placed and making it easier to secure investment from housing developers for roads, schools, and other vital infrastructure.
- A joint trading standards and environmental health team – simplifying processes for businesses.
- Stronger local voices – councillors championing local communities and representing residents on key issues from planning to social care.
Opposition from District and Borough Councils
In contrast, district council leaders and Rutland County Council have expressed strong opposition to the proposal, citing concerns over efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability. They argue that a single county unitary authority serving 800,000 residents would be too large and disconnected from local communities.
A joint statement from the district councils and Rutland County Council reads:
“We are extremely disappointed that the County Council is continuing with its proposal to create one single unitary council for the whole of Leicestershire with no discussion or engagement with other councils. Our residents deserve better.
“This goes against the expectations of Ministers and the intent of the government’s white paper on how it wishes to see local government reorganisation developed.
“We don’t believe the current system is broken, but if it is to change then we believe one single county unitary serving 800,000 residents, one of the largest in the country, would be too remote, too cumbersome, too inaccessible, and ultimately inefficient and unsustainable.
“It is pleasing to see that the County Council has at least listened to Rutland, who have made it clear that they do not want to be part of a large, unwieldy single unitary for Leicestershire. However, this rehashed proposal doesn’t address the expectation that change should be coterminous with health, fire, and police services or that the government expects local government reorganisation proposals that include Rutland.”
Alternative Proposals
The district councils and Rutland County Council are working together to develop alternative governance proposals. They aim to create a model that balances efficient service delivery with maintaining strong local ties to communities.
“Instead, the district councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council are working together and engaging with stakeholders to develop proposals which will deliver localised, high-quality, efficient, and sustainable public services for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.
“Our proposals, which we will submit before the deadline of 21 March 2025, will set out how many new councils would strike the right balance between size and maintaining a strong local connection to communities. We must, and we will, keep the local in local government.
“Any new unitary councils should reflect the way people live their lives in that area and be aligned to where people live, work, shop, and play.”
The alternative plan explores the possibility of creating smaller unitary authorities tailored to the needs of individual communities, enhancing both governance efficiency and local engagement.
Public Engagement and Next Steps
To ensure public input, district councils and Rutland County Council will conduct stakeholder engagement sessions before submitting their proposals. A broader public consultation is planned for the summer, followed by a government-led consultation on final proposals.
The leaders of the district councils reaffirmed their commitment to a collaborative approach:
“Our proposals will be evidence-led and backed by engagement with local communities, businesses, and organisations. We will ensure they all have a meaningful voice in the process.
“Local democratic accountability in any new structures is also important. Elected members are representatives for the communities they serve.
“As the first initial deadline is very tight, we are carrying out some initial engagement with stakeholders who represent a wide range of people, communities, and sectors to help shape our interim plans.
“A more comprehensive package of public engagement will follow this summer, and Government will also carry out a consultation on any final proposal so there will be ample opportunity for people to get involved.
“We want what is best for our residents of Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, and our door remains open to the County Council to work together on achieving this.”
Conclusion
The debate over local government reform in Leicestershire is ongoing, with Leicestershire County Council advocating for a single authority while district and borough councils push for alternative models. As the consultation process continues, residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and shape the future structure of local governance in the county.
