Joint statement by leaders of the district and borough councils in Leicestershire

Leaders of the seven district and borough councils in Leicestershire have issued a statement following the Government’s confirmation that the county council elections in Leicestershire will go ahead in May and the area is not part of the English Devolution Priority programme. 

The council leaders said in a joint statement: “We welcome the Government’s decision to continue with the county council elections this year.

“This provides a more achievable timetable to develop proposals for a future local government structure for Leicestershire and Rutland.

“Importantly, it provides more time to engage and consult with our communities about how we move forward. Your voice must be heard in this process.

“Our communities are at the forefront of our minds when planning how best to deliver services in the future, not only to make sure they feel connected and able to influence those decisions, but also retain a sense of pride in the places they live and work. That is clearly important to people.

“It will also provide more time to gather the evidence to support our proposals which we are confident will deliver savings to ensure funding is channelled towards frontline services. The district councils are working together on these plans.

“We have already made it clear that we have grave concerns over Leicestershire County Council’s proposals for a single unitary council for Leicestershire. With a population of around 750,000 people and 800-square miles of countryside including many towns and villages, it would be one of the biggest unitary authorities in the country. This would be too remote, too cumbersome and inaccessible, from the communities we serve.

“For the sake of our communities, we must keep the local in local government.”

The leaders of the district and borough councils are:

·        Cllr Terry Richardson, 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 District 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