County council asks government to postpone election

Leicestershire County Council was due to hold elections in May

Leicestershire County Council has asked the government to postpone the elections it is due to hold in May as part of plans for a major overhaul of local councils.

The authority said delaying the vote would give it time to draw up detailed proposals in response to the government's plans to reorganise local government so every region of England has a mayor.

The county council said on Thursday it wanted the next elections to be held in May 2026.

The government has been contacted for comment.

The county council said it had no detailed proposals on the shape of future council boundaries but envisaged a system where there were two unitary councils - one for the city of Leicester and one covering the wider county.

That could mean the city's political boundaries are expanded into the county, the council said.

If permitted to delay the vote, the council said it would need to send detailed proposals for a new political structure for the county by May this year.

Under government proposals, a mayor, heading a combined authority, would be elected and given more powers over transport, planning and economic growth policy.

Under the proposals, the county's existing seven district and borough councils could be abolished.

The county council said it hoped that model would unlock more funding from central government.

Conservative acting council leader Deborah Taylor

Deborah Taylor, Conservative acting leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "This is about reorganising local government.

"It offers an opportunity to save money, simplify a confusing system and protect frontline services and has been a goal for a number of years.

"I want to be clear that this is a fresh bid in response to government proposals and not a county council takeover.

"We are in regular contact with the city council, Rutland Council, district councils, partners and staff to ensure they are aware of, and involved in, shaping plans and wait to hear from government on next steps."

Leicester's labour city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby told the BBC he was supportive of the county council's proposals.

He added: "In the 1970s many metropolitan areas like Leeds saw their boundaries expanded but Leicester missed out.

"That has been a major handicap to the city since.

"I'm encouraged by what the county council is now suggesting, though I am aware district councils may have some hostility to the idea."

Rutland County Council has been contacted for comment.