Local government reorganisation: Boundary update
North, City, South council leaders cannot support city boundary expansion in draft reorganisation plan
Council Leaders driving a bold plan for new council structures in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland say they will be recommending that the Leicester city boundary should not be changed when councils are reorganised in 2028.
The Leaders of the Leicestershire district councils and Rutland County Council have been supporting the development of the North, City, South plan which proposes three unitary councils for the area in response to the Government’s drive to reorganise councils.
An interim plan was submitted to Government in March, and a final submission is due in by 28 November 2025.
Leicester City Council also submitted an interim plan to Government which proposed two unitary councils and a plan to expand the city boundary into parts of Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough and includes all of Oadby and Wigston. Should Government accept this proposal, the city population would increase by two thirds to over 620,000 residents.
However, the Leaders of the North, City, South Group of councils say there’s no strong business case, including financial rationale, for changing the city boundary. A summer engagement exercise showed strong support for their proposal and considerable opposition to the city boundary expansion.
They’re also concerned the change would add complexity and risk delaying devolution and its associated funding.
The Leaders say that due to public interest in the City boundary issue, they wanted to let communities and stakeholders know their view.
No decision on the final proposal has yet been made. All eight councils in the North, City, South Group will be considering the final version of the North, City, South proposal across a series of meetings in the coming months ahead of the final submission date. Rutland County Council is also considering reorganisation proposals relating to South Lincolnshire, ensuring all potential options are fully explored before any final decision is reached.
The North, City, South Group says its proposal has put people and places at the heart of future council structures. The plan proposes:
- 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 based on its existing boundaries.
The group says its plan:
- Creates three equally balanced councils, each serving round 400,000
- Keeps councils connected and accountable to local communities
- Uses existing boundaries to avoid complex, costly and disruptive changes
- Protects and supports the vulnerable and focuses on prevention
- Delivers devolution and economic growth
- Boosts efficiency, saving nearly £43 million a year
- Meets Government criteria for local government reorganisation and devolution
Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and speaking on behalf of the Leaders of the North, City, South councils, said: “We are continuing to shape our final proposal based on evidence, data, and community engagement, but wanted to let communities know that as Leaders, we are of the view that the city boundary should not change in our final submission.
“Clearly, the proposal still needs to be considered by our fellow councillors.
“We understand the city council’s ambition for growth, but the Leaders believe that by delivering devolution quickly and collaboratively, we can support growth and deliver economic improvements across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
“A key strength of the North, City, South proposal is the way it has been developed and supported by eight councils led by different political groups. It’s support crosses borders and politics to do what we firmly believe is best for our communities.
“We also understand that not everyone wants councils to change. We do not believe local government is broken, but we recognise the Government is committed to reform and we want to secure the best outcomes for our communities.”
For more information about the North, City, South proposal, visit www.northcitysouth.co.uk.