Rival plans emerge to reorganise Leicestershire

Smaller councils have come up with a plan to reorganise themselves to meet government demands for reform.

The joint approach by Leicestershire's seven district and borough councils and Rutland County Council looks at how they can make changes "positive" for residents, businesses and communities.

It follows a plan already developed by Leicestershire County Council which would create one unitary authority for the whole county – something the authority has previously sought to create.

The government expects authorities to put in proposals for larger, simpler council structures across existing two-tier council areas like Leicestershire by 21 March.

The districts model is for three unitary councils across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland: one would serve North Leicestershire and Rutland, currently covered by Charnwood borough, North West Leicestershire district, Melton borough and Rutland County Council.

A separate council would serve South Leicestershire, currently covered by Blaby district, Harborough district, Hinckley and Bosworth borough and Oadby and Wigston borough councils.

Leicester city would remain unchanged.

The districts and boroughs claim this model would create "three well-balanced unitary councils serving a similar number of residents, simpler local government structures, so it is easier to understand who does what and councils that are more local, accessible and accountable".

Leicestershire County Council has put forward its plan for one council authority across the county. It is built on established boundaries with the city, and excludes Rutland.

County Hall claims its idea would improve services for residents, save money, simplify a confusing system and protect front-line services.

It could also unlock devolved powers and funding - giving the authority more money to fix roads and other services, plus new powers to coordinate planning and join-up transport.

Districts and boroughs claim the single unitary authority would be "too cumbersome, remote, and inaccessible for local communities".

In response to the plans, the Conservative MP for Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, Neil O'Brien, said: "Most constituents don't want this and want to keep our local districts and boroughs.

"Labour are also insisting all new councils must be very large - even though our neighbours in Rutland have managed for decades with a much smaller council. This will make them feel more remote.

"We will have to see the detail but my instinct is the smaller the better."

The county says creating one council "generates the most savings by far".

Creating more unitary councils across the county would be "time consuming and disruptive to set-up", it says.

Both proposals are now open for public consultation on the respective council websites.

Authorities are proposing more public engagement in the summer, as final proposals for local government reform must be submitted by 28 November 2025

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