Rutland Liberal Democrats Back Three-Unitary Plan for Local Government Reform
The future of local government in Leicestershire and Rutland is under intense scrutiny, with a proposed restructuring aimed at streamlining services and unlocking devolution benefits. In a move that highlights deep divisions within the region, the Rutland Liberal Democrats have thrown their weight behind a three-unitary authority model, as outlined in a recent press release from the district and borough council leaders.
The impetus for this reform stems from the government's English Devolution White Paper, which mandates two-tier council areas to submit proposals for unitary authority creation. This has ignited a debate about the optimal structure for delivering effective and community-focused public services.
The seven district and borough councils, along with Rutland County Council, have coalesced around a plan that would see the region divided into three unitary authorities:
North Leicestershire and Rutland: Encompassing Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton, and Rutland.
South Leicestershire: Comprising Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth, and Oadby & Wigston.
Leicester City: Retaining its current unitary status.
This proposed structure stands in stark contrast to Leicestershire County Council’s vision of a single unitary authority for the entire county. The district and borough leaders argue that a single, large entity would be “too cumbersome, too remote and inaccessible for local communities.” They contend that their three-unitary model would preserve local identities, foster community engagement, and facilitate efficient service delivery while generating significant savings.
Key arguments in favor of the three-unitary plan include:
Community Focus: The plan prioritises maintaining strong connections between councils and their communities.
Preservation of Local Identity: It aims to safeguard local heritage and civic identities.
Strategic Authority with Elected Mayor: The three unitary authorities would be part of a broader strategic authority with an elected mayor, enabling the region to capitalize on devolution opportunities.
Balanced Population: Each unitary authority would serve approximately 400,000 residents, ensuring a balanced distribution of resources and responsibilities.
Neighbourhood Focus: The plan emphasises strengthening neighbourhood and community partnerships.
The district and borough leaders have expressed frustration with Leicestershire County Council’s “unilateral, unbalanced and outdated proposal,” accusing them of refusing to collaborate.
The Rutland Liberal Democrats, mirroring the district and borough council stance, strongly advocate for this three-unitary approach. They believe it offers a more responsive and community-centric model of local governance.
Crucially, the councils have announced plans for extensive public engagement, commencing the week of February 24, 2025. This initial phase will inform the interim proposals due to the government by March 21, 2025, with further, more comprehensive engagement planned for the final proposals in November.
The debate surrounding local government reform in Leicestershire and Rutland is set to intensify in the coming months. As the public engagement process unfolds, residents will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the future of their local services.
Full Press Release 1pm, 23rd February 2025
Putting communities at the heart of future local government services
An emerging preferred model for new local government structures which puts residents at the heart of public services and ensures councils stay connected to communities has been outlined.
The Leaders of the seven district and borough councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council have set out their current thinking and initial preferred way forward for the reorganisation of councils in the area.
It follows the publication of the Government’s English Devolution White Paper, which advocates not only for the devolution of powers and funding to the regions, but requires all councils in two-tier areas to submit proposals to reorganise into unitary authorities.
Having reviewed the options and considered how best to secure the benefits of devolution and ensure the right balance between scale and maintaining connections with communities, there is a clear case for three unitary councils to serve the region. One to serve North Leicestershire and Rutland, one for South Leicestershire and the third for the city of Leicester (based on its existing boundaries).
The district councils and Rutland County Council are clear that this would enable areas to retain a strong sense of place identity, would ensure the new councils remain connected to their communities and would facilitate opportunities to work with partners across neighbourhoods, while making significant savings and enabling more effective service delivery.
The districts and Rutland council leaders remain clear that Leicestershire County Council’s proposal for a single unitary for the whole of Leicestershire would be too cumbersome, too remote and inaccessible for local communities, and will fail to unlock the benefits of devolution.
The Leaders said in a joint statement: “We don’t believe the current system is broken, but if it has to change it is absolutely vital we get this right for our communities, as what we do will affect how public services are delivered for many years to come.
“That’s why we are taking a very balanced and measured approach and have put collaboration, evidence and communities at the heart of our considerations.
“We have attempted multiple times to engage with the County Council to seek the best outcomes for our communities, but they have consistently refused to work with us and they are now pushing forward with a unilateral, unbalanced and outdated proposal from six years ago which failed to find support then.
“A single county unitary for 800,000 people covering hundreds of square miles is far too large.
“To be clear, nothing has been finalised, and today we are sharing our initial ideas. We will be engaging with our stakeholders and communities and want to hear their views so that collectively we build the best possible future for local government across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”
The district councils and Rutland County Council will launch some initial public engagement during week commencing 24 February 2025 and want to stress there will be ample opportunities to get involved both now and throughout the process over the coming year.
This first phase of engagement will inform the councils’ interim plans for reorganisation which must be submitted to Government by 21 March 2025. As the process continues, there will be a much wider and more comprehensive package of public engagement to fully inform the final proposals which must be submitted in November.
Under the preference for a three-unitary approach:
The areas currently served by Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council, would be served by one unitary authority (North Leicestershire and Rutland)
The areas currently served by Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley & Bosworth and Oadby & Wigston district and borough councils would be served by another unitary authority (South Leicestershire)
Leicester City would continue to be a unitary authority based on its existing boundaries.
The approach would deliver significant savings and ensure a strong focus on neighbourhoods, community partnerships, and preserve local heritage and civic identities.
The three authorities would have broadly similar populations of 400,000 residents and be part of a strategic authority across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with an elected Mayor; securing the full benefits of a new Devolution Agreement.
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