Issue - meetings

(Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 10)

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Corporate Resources which presented the County Council’s response to the Government consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.  Copies of the report, and the supplementary report, marked ‘Agenda Item 15’, are filed with these minutes.

The Scrutiny Commission had received a presentation which provided an outline of the consultation response at its meeting on 18 March.  The Commission had indicated strong support for a single Leicestershire model.

Mr. Crook CC stated that the proposed response set out a clear, credible position on local government for local communities and provided an opportunity to simplify the existing local government structure.  He also commented that the proposal was sensible and deliverable, and welcomed the emphasis on realism.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the consultation response be approved, for submission to the Government by the deadline of 26 March 2026, as set out in Appendices A-C of the report;

b)    That the consultation response ratings be approved, for submission to the Government by the deadline of 26 March 2026, as set out in Appendix D of the report;

c)    That the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader and the Director of Corporate Resources, be authorised to make any necessary amendments to the consultation response before it is submitted to the Government provided that these do not change the underlying principles of the response as presented in the report;

d)    That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted.

(KEY DECISION)

REASON FOR DECISION

The Government is undertaking consultation on the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for 7 weeks between 5 February and 26 March 2026.  The County Council is a statutory consultee.