Have your say now on the future of local councils in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

An engagement exercise has been launched to gather views on proposals to reduce the number of councils in the area and replace them with larger unitary authorities.

The Government has requested councils in the area to develop plans to create new authorities as part of its devolution agenda.

The district and borough councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council have submitted to Government their interim North, City, South plan to create three equally-sized unitary councils for the area. The councils say the plan will deliver devolution and see more decision-making powers and funding transferred to local areas from central government.

The councils say they have put people and places at the heart of the proposal and focussed on maintaining close contact with communities.

The councils are now seeking views on the plan. People can have a say between 9 June 2025 and 20 July 2025 by visiting North City South (northcitysouth.co.uk).  Paper copies of the survey are also available and other methods including focus groups are also being used.

Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and speaking on behalf of the Leaders of the Leicestershire district and borough councils and Rutland County Council, said: “Councils in the area are facing the biggest change in over 50 years and it is vital our communities are involved in helping to shape the future of local government.

“We encourage people, businesses and organisations to take part in the survey and tell us their views on our plans.

“We do not think the current system is broken but we recognise the Government’s intent on change.

“This is the second time we have asked for views and earlier this year more than 4,600 people and organisations responded to our original survey to help inform our interim plan. We also had meetings and conversations with hundreds of other stakeholders.

“Our councils which have proposed the North, City, South plan have made a pledge to make sure all voices are heard in this process and we will continue to make strenuous efforts to gather views from our communities and partners.

“Please have your say.”

The North, City, South plan outlines:

• The areas currently served by Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council, would be served by one unitary authority (North Leicestershire and Rutland)
• The areas currently served by Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth and Oadby & Wigston district and borough councils would be served by another unitary authority (South Leicestershire)
• Leicester City would continue to be a unitary authority

The North, City, South group says its plan will:

• Keep councils connected and accountable to local communities
• Simplify services for residents, businesses, and partners
• Protect and support the vulnerable and focus on prevention
• Deliver devolution and economic growth
• Boost efficiency, saving nearly £43 million a year

The importance of preserving Rutland’s historic ceremonial county status is also fully recognised in the plan, say the councils.

Following this engagement period, the councils will continue to refine the North, City, South proposal with a view to submitting a final plan to Government in November 2025.

It is anticipated Government will make a final decision on council structures in 2026 and new authorities could be in place by 2028.

For more information about the North, City, South proposal and to have a say, visit North City South (northcitysouth.co.uk)

Paper copies of the survey will be available at the offices of the councils involved in the North, City, South plan - Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth District Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Rutland County Council.

Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council have also submitted interim plans to Government proposing alternative future council structures. People can find out more about their plans on their websites.