Local authorities disagree with County Council's ‘One Council’ proposal

Leicestershire County Council is drawing up plans to create one council for Leicestershire.

People across Leicestershire are being asked for feedback on County Council proposals to create one council for Leicestershire (excluding Rutland and Leicester City).

The move comes after the Government said it wants to move away from ‘two-tier’ local government and asked councils to work up ideas. 

However, the leaders of district and borough councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council have said they do not think one council is the correct way forward.

Councillor Deborah Taylor, acting leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “It’s time for change and creating one council is the only sensible option. 

“We have the chance to build one council for Leicestershire fit for the 21st century, making life simpler for our residents and offering better value for our Council Tax payers.  

“We want what’s best for our residents. But from our previous work, and experiences of other areas that were split up, we don’t believe another option adds up, financially, geographically or logically.  

“Splitting the county into two, as some might suggest, is a non-starter creating more pain than gain – fewer savings, more confusion and unhelpful competition for staff. Two sets of everything – from back-office staff to waste collection systems - and less choice about which libraries and waste sites residents could use.” 

In response to this proposal, the Leaders of the district councils and Rutland County Council said: “We are extremely disappointed that the County Council is continuing with its proposal to create one single unitary council for the whole of Leicestershire with no discussion or engagement with other councils. Our residents deserve better. 

“This goes against the expectations of Ministers and the intent of the government’s white paper on how it wishes to see local government reorganisation developed.

“We don’t believe the current system is broken, but if it is to change then we believe one single county unitary serving 800,000 residents, one of the largest in the country, would be too remote, too cumbersome, too inaccessible and ultimately inefficient and unsustainable. 

“It is pleasing to see that the County Council have at least listened to Rutland who have made it clear that they do not want to be part of a large, unwieldy single unitary for Leicestershire. This rehashed proposal doesn’t address the expectation that change should be coterminous with health, fire and police or that the government expect local government reorganisation proposals that include Rutland.

“Instead, the district councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council are working together and engaging with stakeholders to develop proposals which will deliver localised, high-quality, efficient and sustainable public services for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

“Our proposals, which we will submit before the deadline of 21 March 2025, will set out how many new councils would strike the right balance between size and maintaining a strong local connection to communities. We must, and we will, keep the local in local government.

“Any new unitary councils should reflect the way people live their lives in that area and be aligned to where people live, work, shop and play.

“We are therefore exploring options for smaller unitary authorities which will serve our local communities’ needs better, but also enhance their future prosperity 

“Our proposals will be evidence led and backed by engagement with local communities, businesses and organisations. We will ensure they all have a meaningful voice in the process.

“Local democratic accountability in any new structures is also important, elected members are representatives for communities they serve.

“As the first initial deadline is very tight, we are carrying out some initial engagement with stakeholders who represent a wide range of people, communities and sectors to help shape our interim plans. 

“A more comprehensive package of public engagement will follow this summer, and Government will also carry out a consultation on any final proposal so there will be ample opportunity for people to get involved.

“We want what is best for our residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and our door remains open to the County Council to work together on achieving this.”