Rutland Faces New Local Government Reorganisation Option: Council Leader Gale Waller Responds

Rutland Faces New Local Government Reorganisation Option: Council Leader Responds

Rutland finds itself with a fresh option on the table for local government reorganisation in Greater Lincolnshire, following an announcement by North Kesteven District Council. Council Leader Gale Waller has issued a statement acknowledging the development and emphasising the importance of careful consideration and public input.

The proposed option, which will be included in the Greater Lincolnshire interim plan, suggests a merger of North Kesteven, South Kesteven, South Holland, and Rutland to form a new entity tentatively named the "South Lincolnshire and Rutland Council."

This development marks a significant shift for Rutland, as Councillor Waller highlighted: "This is the first time Rutland has had more than one option for reorganisation that is supported by neighbouring councils. It will now allow us to consider the detail and compare this with interim plan options put forward for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area."

The statement acknowledges that Rutland now has two potential paths forward, with the other option likely involving closer ties with its Leicestershire neighbours. Councillor Waller cautioned against jumping to conclusions, noting the differing stages of development between the two options. The upcoming March 21st deadline is described as a "checkpoint" to ensure collaborative working among councils, with the interim plans themselves not being binding and potentially outlining multiple proposals.

Recognising the diverse perspectives within the community, Councillor Waller stated, "People are likely to have different feelings about these options, depending on where they live, work and spend most of their time. We must consider everything on balance and the next stage is to share these plans as widely as possible, so that residents can give their views as we work towards the Government’s November deadline for full proposals."

The Council Leader concluded by underscoring the necessity for any proposed plan to be robust and meet the criteria set forth by the government.

This announcement sets the stage for a period of detailed analysis and public engagement in Rutland as residents and council members weigh the potential implications of joining forces with South Lincolnshire or aligning more closely with Leicestershire. The coming months will be crucial in shaping the future of local governance in the region, with the voices of Rutland residents expected to play a significant role in the decision-making process leading up to the November deadline for full proposals.