Agenda and decisions

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here.

“This County Council condemns the government’s proposal for local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Their proposal to drag 100,000s of county residents into Leicester City, overwhelmingly against their will, is an undemocratic disgrace. 

Council notes that the Liberal Democrat group opposes the government’s proposal to put the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland into one Unitary authority, believing such an authority will be too remote from many residents.

We call on the government and the new Prime Minister to go back to the drawing board and put together new plans for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Plans which will keep the city boundary the same as it currently is and ensure the residents of Leicestershire and Rutland have local government that can reflect their local needs and interests.”

(A requisition for an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council for the purpose of considering this motion was put forward by the following members of the Council in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12, paragraph 3:

Mr M Mullaney CC

Mr S Bray CC

Ms A Pendlebury CC

Mr M Bools CC

Dr S Hill CC

Mr S Galton CC

Mrs L Broadley CC

Mr D Gamble CC

Mr M Durrani CC

Mr B Walker CC

Mr N Holt CC.)

“1.     This County Council condemns the government’s proposal for Local Government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

2.         Their proposal to drag 100,000s of Leicestershire County residents into Leicester City, overwhelmingly against their will, is an undemocratic disgrace.

3.         This Council notes that the Liberal Democrat group opposes the Government’s proposal to put the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland into one Unitary authority, believing such an authority will be too remote from many residents.  They also oppose City expansion.  This Council also notes that the Reform and Conservative groups support a one Leicestershire Council with no expansion of the City.

4.         Public consultation on the proposals demonstrated significant opposition to the expansion of Leicester City's boundaries, with 88% of respondents opposing such expansion.

5.         Any future local government structure must deliver effective public services, strong local representation, value for money and long-term financial sustainability.

6.         This Council believes that:

(a)  Leicester City's existing boundaries should be retained and that communities should not be transferred into Leicester City against their wishes.

(b)  The results of public consultation should be properly respected and reflected in any future proposals.

(c)  Decisions on the future structure of local government in Leicestershire should be based on evidence, sustainability, service effectiveness, and democratic accountability.

(d)  The Government's decision-making process should be transparent, evidence-based, and capable of withstanding public scrutiny. Where decisions appear inconsistent with the evidence submitted or fail to reflect the outcome of public consultation adequately, it is appropriate for the Council to consider all available legal remedies including judicial review.

7.            This Council therefore resolves to:

(a)  Note that legal advice is being sought on the lawfulness and robustness of the Government’s decision-making process in relation to local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and, subject to that advice, consider what further steps, including any available legal remedies, may be appropriate if reasonable grounds are identified for doing so.

(b)  Call on the Government to safeguard local democracy by confirming that, should the timetable for this reorganisation slip beyond 1 April 2028, the scheduled May 2027 elections for the district and borough councils, Leicester City Council, the City Mayor and Rutland Council will proceed as soon as is possible, in order to maintain democratic accountability across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland during any extended transition period.

(c)  Call on the government and the new Prime Minister to go back to the drawing board and put together new plans for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Plans which will keep the city boundary the same as it currently is and ensure the residents of Leicestershire and Rutland have local government that can reflect their local needs and interests.”