Councils submit bold vision for local government structure

Eight Leicestershire and Rutland councils have worked together to submit a bold vision to government for future council structures.

All seven Leicestershire district and borough councils and Rutland County Council are formally backing the North, City, South plan which would see three strong unitary councils delivering services for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The plan has been developed following extensive engagement with communities, partners, stakeholders and businesses across two exercises which received around 10,000 responses. The engagement showed strong support for a three-unitary council approach.

The North, City, South proposal is in response to the government’s instruction to reduce councils in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area and create a mayoral-led strategic authority as part of its devolution agenda to give power and funding to the regions.

The eight council leaders say North, City, South is the most credible option for future council structures, is backed by compelling evidence and data, has community support and meets all criteria set by government.

The plan would see 10 councils reduced to three, serving around 400,000 residents each. They would cover: 

• North Leicestershire and Rutland
• South Leicestershire
• Leicester City

The North, City, South plan will enable:

• the delivery of devolution at pace by holding a Mayoral election in 2027 
• accelerated economic growth
• more prevention focused services to improve lives and reduce demand
• savings of over £44 million a year
• councils to remain connected to communities
• the retention of Leicester’s current city boundary
• three financially sustainable councils

The business case is clear that the city council is financially stable without changing the boundary, largely thanks to government funding changes and a greater focus on prevention to reduce demand. The two new authorities would also be financially strong.

The city’s growth, along with that in the two new authority areas, can be supported and developed through collaboration which has happened for many years through joint growth plans. This would be led by the new mayoral strategic authority to drive investment into the area.

The North, City, South plan places a strong focus on prevention with the proposed creation of neighbourhood partnerships to help council services work more closely with other public services like the NHS, police and the voluntary and charity sector. This would get help to people sooner, improve lives and reduce demand to help councils be more sustainable.

There is also a commitment to retain Rutland’s name and ceremonial status.

Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and speaking on behalf of the Leaders of the North, City, South councils, said: “The North, City, South proposal represents a united vision from eight councils, cutting across political boundaries to put communities first. 

“North, City, South is about creating strong, sustainable councils that can deliver better services, unlock investment, and accelerate growth.

“We’ve listened to residents, businesses, and partners, and their feedback has shaped this plan. 
“It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to move from reacting to problems to preventing them helping people earlier and improving lives.

“Local government isn’t broken, but Government has made it clear that change is needed. 

"This plan offers a clear, credible direction for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland for decades to come.”

It is anticipated that Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council will also make final proposals to Government.

The county council has indicated it will be submitting a plan for two unitary councils – one for Leicestershire and Rutland, serving a population of around 800,000 and one for the city, serving a population of around 400,000.

The North, City, South councils say one council for Leicestershire and Rutland would be too big, too cumbersome and too remote for local communities. 

Leicester City Council has said its preferred option is to expand the city boundary into Charnwood, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston and Blaby, creating two unitary councils. The city council would increase its population to 625,000 and the other authority would serve around 580,000 residents.

The North, City, South councils say there is no need to expand the city boundary as a city council can be financially sustainable on its current size plus changing multiple boundaries would be complex and costly and not what Government has advised. It would also be unpopular with communities who have made it clear they do not want the city boundary to expand.

Government will consider all proposals for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and it is expected to hold a consultation in the new year. For more information about the North, City, South proposal, visit www.northcitysouth.co.uk

The leaders of the district and borough councils and Rutland County Council are listed below.
Cllr Ben Taylor, Leader of Blaby District Council
Cllr Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council
Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council
Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council
Cllr Richard Blunt, Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council
Cllr Samia Haq, Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
Cllr Gale Waller, Leader of Rutland County Council