'I don't want us to lose our identity in Rutland'

Rutland residents running the rule over plans that could see the end of England's smallest county are split on their thoughts for the future.

More than 100 people gathered at Victoria Hall in Oakham on Monday to discuss plans that could spell the end of Rutland County Council.

It comes after Labour said it was looking at the biggest reform of local government in England for more than 50 years.

Alicia Kearns, the MP for Rutland and Stamford who arranged the meeting, said many people were expecting change but wanted more information.

Last year, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced Labour was looking at reforming England's local government make-up.

Under some proposals, smaller district councils could be merged with county councils to create single unitary authorities representing populations of about 500,000.

Rutland recorded a population of just over 41,000 at the 2021 Census.

Patsy Clifton protested against the 1974 discussions that saw Rutland designated a district of Leicestershire, a decision changed 23 years later when it was re-established as a county.

She believes it is important to ensure the county does not disappear, even if it is merged with Leicestershire or another neighbour.

"It is wonderful that we've got such a small county as this, and I wouldn't like to lose that, but we have to move with the times, and I really do think that we are possibly too tiny to stay as we are," she said.

"If we join Leicestershire, I don't want us to lose our identity - we still want to be Rutland.

"Now we've got a castle - it doesn't look like a castle, but it is our castle, and it is full of horseshoes, and we shouldn't lose all of that."

Richard Clifton, a former Rutland County Council member, said he felt there could be benefits to being part of a larger unitary authority.

"We could end up with a lot more benefits than disadvantages," he said.

"I understand everyone wants to keep Rutland, but there's other ways we can keep the names."

Lucy Stephenson is leader of the Conservative group on Rutland County Council, which will also debate possible changes at its meeting on 11 February.

She says it is important for residents to look at what the potential changes in local government could mean for services, but disagrees with a merger.

"As a Rutland resident, my sense of pride in place is ingrained within me," she said.

"As a county councillor, the premise of bigger is better is wrong - it isn't going to solve the challenges that face local government.

"I think rural areas absolutely need to have special consideration."

Following the meeting, Kearns - also a Conservative - said she felt the listening exercise was "really helpful", and planned to gather more input from Rutland residents.

"I hope a consensus will emerge," she said.

"You can never have complete consensus, but I think there was a unanimity in the room that they want to keep our ceremonial status, so that's an absolute red line I think for our community.

"The question is now, as those proposals move forward, if it's being done to us, how do we get the [option] people [in Rutland] want most?"

By Pete Saull, political editor, BBC East Midlands

With a population of just over 40,000, it is difficult to see how Rutland can continue by itself when the government wants to see new local councils comprising about half a million people.

While most gathered at Monday's meeting were keen to preserve the smallest county's ceremonial status, there was a general acceptance that a merger with neighbouring councils looked likely.

Some agreed with ministers' arguments that services may well improve, while others raised concerns about the potential of more housing being built in the area.

Another meeting is due to take place next Monday, and the reorganisation could gather pace if neighbouring Leicestershire County Council's request to postpone the May elections is granted by the government later this week.

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