Rutland’s Future MP Secures Ministerial Meeting Amid Merger Fears
By Local Democracy Reporter
The future of Rutland’s independence hangs in the balance this week after Alicia Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, secured a high-level meeting with government ministers to challenge controversial plans for local government reorganisation.
Addressing the House of Commons during Topical Questions for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Alicia Kearns expressed grave concerns that England’s smallest county could effectively "cease to exist" within three years.
The row centers on Rutland County Council’s (RCC) decision to pursue the "North, City, South" model. Under this proposal, Rutland would likely be absorbed into a new unitary authority alongside Charnwood, Melton, and parts of North Leicestershire.
Alicia Kearns argued that the Liberal Democrat-led administration has "steamrolled" the plans while purposefully ignoring the public’s preference for a merger with South Lincolnshire and Stamford.
"Rutland’s council could have submitted its own government reform, but they left our fate in the hands of others," Mrs. Kearns told the House. "They submitted to join North Leicestershire... in opposition to the wishes of residents, which they know, but they purposely did not ask residents what we wanted."
The MP’s criticisms are backed by recent survey data. According to Alicia Kearns, the council’s own engagement exercise revealed:
45% of respondents used the "other comments" section to support a union with South Lincolnshire.
One-third of residents spoke unfavourably about rejoining Leicestershire.
Only 10% expressed support for the current "North, City, South" model favored by the council.
Despite these figures, the proposal to join South Lincolnshire was withdrawn from the table by council officers and the cabinet last November.
In response to the MP’s plea for residents to be consulted on a "Rutland and Stamford" model, Alison McGovern, Minister for Local Government, acknowledged the "complicated situation" and agreed to a formal meeting to discuss the county's status.
The meeting comes after Alicia Kearns’ recent attempt to protect Rutland’s standalone status via an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill was unsuccessful. She now hopes direct ministerial intervention will force a rethink of the council’s strategy.
"I will be making sure the Government is aware of how deep the democratic deficit at the council has been," Mrs. Kearns said following the session. "Our local communities deserve to have their voices heard."
Read the Debate once published
You can read the full exchange between Alicia Kearns MP and the Minister for Local Government on the official Parliament record here:
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