MP's petition 'to protect' county sent to Parliament

A petition to protect Rutland's ceremonial status has been submitted to Parliament.

The county's independent unitary council is under threat due to local government reorganisation which could see some councils being merged.

The aim is to create larger, simpler councils which could then attract more powers and funding through a strategic mayor.

A number of proposals have already been put forward for the area, however MP Alicia Kearns wants to at least retain Rutland's Lord Lieutenants and High Sheriffs and launched the petition in February.

Charlie Pallett, the Rutland Blogger and the George and Dragon pub in Seaton came in support of the petition.

In addition, 17 pubs in all helped to gather signatures on paper - the only form acceptable for petitions to parliament.

At the time of the launch, Kearns said: "We have six weeks to make clear to government we are Rutlanders and intend to stay as such and put a stop to the government stripping us of our identity."

The petition was signed by 7,141 individuals, the equivalent of more than one in six Rutlanders.

In parliament on Wednesday night, Kearns added: "I don't think the government intended to put our ceremonial status at risk, but the consequences of their reform to local government have done exactly that.

"No other county is in this position."

The MP says a change to the Lieutenancies Act 1997 will be required to protect the county's status.

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