Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Who produces the proposals and how?

Discussions first started between all Leicestershire district and borough councils, Rutland County Council, Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council about how best to enable devolution and shape plans for local government reorganisation. 

Leicestershire County Council has since announced that it is unilaterally continuing with its proposal to create a single unitary authority for Leicestershire, without an expansion of the city and without any inclusion of Rutland.

Leicestershire’s district and borough councils and Rutland County Council remain committed to working together to develop alternative proposals which will deliver high-quality, efficient and sustainable public services for our shared area. These proposals will set out how any new councils would strike the right balance between size and maintaining a strong local connection to communities. 

We want these proposals to be supported by clear evidence and widespread engagement, so we can be confident they will have a positive impact for our residents, businesses and communities

When will this happen?

In a letter sent to councils on 5 February 2025, the Government explained that it wants interim plans for local government reorganisation by 21 March 2025. These are to be followed by full proposals by 28 November 2025.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has advised councils that March is primarily a checkpoint to get assurance that councils are working together to develop proposals in line with the Government’s criteria.

March interim plans can describe more than one potential proposal for an area, if there is more than one option under consideration. 

Our approach

When we talk about the kind of future we want for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, we’re not just talking about lines on a map. The shape of our communities isn’t as important as the people who live there. Making savings is not the same as making sure local services work well.

Any new approach must be carefully thought out and backed up by evidence, so we know it will meet the needs of our many residents, businesses and communities – now and in the future.

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 Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council)
• One for South Leicestershire (an area currently served by Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth and Oadby & 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.

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

Have your say using this short feedback form.