Government announces review of local government reorganisation plans

The Government says the review follows updated legal advice and is intended to ensure the process is robust and aligned with national priorities. Plans for 14 areas, including Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, will now be reviewed and paused while this work is carried out.

The Government also confirmed that local elections in May 2027 will go ahead on existing council boundaries.

Under the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland proposals, existing councils were due to be replaced by two larger unitary councils, with the Hinckley and Bosworth area forming part of the proposed Leicestershire and Rutland authority.

Councillor Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, said: “I have opposed local government reorganisation from the start because I firmly believe it will cost money, weaken local accountability and move decision-making further away from the residents we serve.

“This latest development only adds to the chaos and uncertainty councils are already facing. A huge amount of time, effort and public money has been spent on this process when we should be getting on with delivering local services.

“We now need clarity on the next steps so councils can focus their time and resources on listening to local people, responding to their needs and delivering the local services they rely on.”

The Borough Council will continue to monitor the review and share further information when it becomes available.