Local Government Reorganisation Consultation Begins!
[Current LLR local government boudaries-bbc.co.uk]
As anticipated, the Government has commenced its statutory consultation on three Local Government submissions for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland made by local councils in November 2025.
Local government reorganisation (LGR) is a government-led process to simplify how councils are structured by creating a single tier of unitary authorities across England, which deliver all local services. Plans for LGR were outlined in the Government’s White Paper in Local government reorganisation (LGR) is a government-led process to simplify how councils are structured by creating a single tier of unitary authorities across England, which deliver all local services. Plans for LGR were outlined in the Government’s White Paper (December 2024).
The aim of LGR is to:
- create fewer, larger unitary authorities
- reduce duplication in service delivery and improve efficiency
- make it easier for residents to understand which council provides their services.
In February 2025, the Government invited local authorities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) to bring forward proposals for local government reorganisation. This led Leicester City Council and other local councils to develop proposals for how future unitary authorities could be structured.
Leicester City Council is proposing two unitary councils for LLR, including expansion of the city to include adjoining suburbs such as Oadby, Wigston, part of Charnwood, part of Blaby and part of Harborough District. A second unitary council would cover the remaining rural areas of Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicestershire County Council also proposes two unitary councils for LLR, however without expanding the boundaries of the City of Leicester.
Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council have agreed the principle that
the best option for reorganisation is one unitary for the county and one for the city
Leicestershire’s seven district and borough councils, together with Rutland County Council, have taken a joint approach, The districts model is for three unitary councils across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. One would serve North Leicestershire and Rutland, currently covered by Charnwood borough, Northwest Leicestershire district, Melton borough and Rutland County Council. A separate council would serve South Leicestershire, currently covered by Blaby district, Harborough district, Hinckley and Bosworth borough and Oadby and Wigston borough councils. In this model Leicester city would remain unchanged.
Each of the proposals claims to fit the Government’s criteria for LGR and to save substantial amounts of local government spending.
The consultation closes on Thursday 26 March 2026 and all responses should be submitted through the Government’s website and not directly to the council. Following completion of its statutory consultation on 26 March 2026 the Government expects to decide on its preferred Local Government Reorganisation proposal by summer of 2026.
This reorganisation will set the future shape of our local government for decades to come, thus it is vital that residents consider the options and exercise their right to vote on the matter.
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