Council bosses set to debate political shake-up

Melton Borough Council leader Pip Allnatt said he wanted to "get on with the job"

Council leaders in Leicestershire are due to meet to try to find a way forward on how the county's political map could be redrawn.

Leicestershire County Council and the leaders of seven districts and boroughs are to discuss proposals for future council boundaries when they meet on Thursday.

It follows a row between the county council and the smaller authorities over a lack of collaboration in developing plans.

The leader of Melton Borough Council, Pip Allnatt, who speaks for the districts and boroughs, said he wanted to "get on with the job".

District proposals feature Leicester city, North Leicestershire and Rutland and South Leicestershire

The government expects authorities to put in proposals for larger, simpler council structures across existing two-tier council areas including Leicestershire by 21 March.

The county council and the districts have so far proposed rival visions for the future of local government.

Allnatt said "despite the tight timetable, there's still plenty of time for lots of engagement with stakeholders, the public and each other" before final proposals have to be submitted in November.

The districts and boroughs, alongside Rutland County Council, are promoting a plan to split Leicestershire into two single-tier councils.

North Leicestershire and Rutland would serve the area currently covered by Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton and Rutland County councils.

South Leicestershire would be a separate council covering the current Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth and Oadby and Wigston boroughs and districts.

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

The lower-tier councils have argued their plan would create authorities which would be "big enough to care, close enough to respond" to what residents need.

They claim the county's proposal - a single-tier authority proposal for the whole of Leicestershire - would be "too cumbersome, remote, and inaccessible for local communities".

Both proposals assume Leicester City Council's boundaries will remain the same.

Acting county council leader Deborah Taylor proposed Thursday's meeting.

She said: "We don't believe another option adds up, financially, geographically or logically."