No strong case to expand city, say district leaders

The current leaders of Leicestershire districts are pushing the case for a three-council model for the county

The leaders of Leicestershire's district councils have said they cannot support proposals which would expand Leicester's political boundaries.

The city's Labour mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, has proposed a new political map which would see its boundaries shift outwards to take in towns and villages currently served by neighbouring district councils.

The idea is one of three potential options to be considered by the government, which wants to end the existing two-tier council system in England, and create new authorities with greater devolved powers.

The districts issued a statement on Friday saying there was no strong case for a larger city authority.

Soulsby said he believed the district leaders were "not accepting the reality" of what ministers wanted to achieve through the shake-up of local government.

He said the government aimed to create larger, sustainable councils with populations of about 500,000.

Maps have been drawn up showing potential options

The districts, and Rutland County Council, said they would be proposing three unitary councils across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland when they submit their plans to ministers at the end of November.

Their preferred option is called, North, City, South, they said.

A North Leicestershire and Rutland council would serve the area currently covered by Charnwood borough, North West Leicestershire district, Melton borough and Rutland County Council.

A separate South Leicestershire council would cover the areas of Blaby district, Harborough district, Hinckley and Bosworth borough and Oadby and Wigston borough councils.

The district leaders said their plan would create three equally balanced councils, each serving around 400,000 people, deliver economic growth, and save £34m in efficiencies.

The pink-shaded area of the map shows the extent of the proposed new city boundary

Melton Borough Council leader Pip Allnatt, who speaks for the districts and Rutland, 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.

"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."

Soulsby said: "I'm surprised this is their stance because it is not what some of [the leaders] have been saying in private.

"I'm afraid if they are sticking to this, they are not accepting the reality of what the government aims to achieve - which is to create unitary councils which are sustainable."

"Leicester is a growing city and it is widely recognised it needs space to be able to deliver much-needed housing."

Leicestershire County Council proposes one council for Leicestershire, "reducing duplication and simplifying local government"

Leicestershire County Council is proposing a third vision for local authorities in the future - a so-called "doughnut" with one council authority across the county.

It is built on established boundaries with the city, and excludes Rutland.

In July, county councillors voted to oppose any future expansion of the city; however, Dan Harrison, the Reform UK leader at County Hall, said negotiations were needed with the city to avoid the Labour government imposing a solution which was not in the best interests of residents.

All final submissions need to be sent to Westminster by 28 November.

Ministers are expected to reach a final decision on the future council structure in Nottinghamshire in March 2026, and they say the new-look councils will be established in 2028.