Local leaders express serious concerns about the single Unitary Council proposal for Leicestershire

Leaders from Rutland County Council and the seven District and Borough Councils in Leicestershire have made it clear they have concerns about proposals to create a single unitary council for the county.

The Leaders are disappointed that a statement relating to local government reorganisation was issued by Leicestershire County Council without notice and without consultation.

In a joint statement, the eight leaders said: "As Local Leaders we are closest to our communities, and have a responsibility to ensure local voices are heard and properly considered in any reorganisation of local government. A single unitary council over a wide and diverse geographic area,  which is being proposed without proper consultation, has the potential to be too remote, and inaccessible, from the communities we serve. We must keep the local in local government.

"As Leaders we acknowledge the government’s white paper sets a clear direction of travel, but it must be properly considered, evidence-led and ensure that residents and businesses are fully engaged in shaping the future local government of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. We are open to exploring all options, but have not agreed any boundary changes, and are clear that any changes must be based on evidence which gets the right balance between scale and physical geography. Any boundary changes would also have to be limited and balanced. Councils perform best when boundaries reflect the way people live their lives.

"We believe there are credible alternatives to a large single unitary, which will facilitate a better sense of place, deliver savings, boost regional growth and provide better outcomes for our residents and businesses.

"We want to work collaboratively with all our local authority partners to agree how best to reshape local government within our area. We have written to government to confirm that we are keen to work with them and that we expect our propositions to be taken seriously. There is simply too much at stake to have a change railroaded through."

The eight leaders are:

Cllr Gale Waller - Leader Rutland County Council

Cllr Terry Richardson - Leader Blaby District Council

Cllr Jewel Miah - Leader Charnwood Borough Council

Cllr Phil Knowles - Leader Harborough District Council

Cllr Stuart Bray - Leader Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

Cllr Pip Allnatt - Leader Melton Borough Council

Cllr Richard Blunt - Leader North West Leicestershire District Council

Cllr Samia Haq - Leader Oadby and Wigston Borough Council