Council leader expresses concerns about lack of engagement on county council reorganisation proposals

The Leader of Harborough District Council has written to the Government to express his deep dissatisfaction and concern with the lack of consultation and engagement from Leicestershire County Council on its draft proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). 

In his letter to The Right Honourable Jim McMahon OBE MP Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution, Cllr Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council, says: “The County is seemingly pedalling a view that one single doughnut unitary for Leicestershire is appropriate and consensual. It is neither, it makes no sense geographically for residents, Parish and Towns or businesses, it is not local and will lead to significant dysfunctional delivery of services. It has no synergy for transport, growth or future economic development, diverse communities will not associate with each other over such a large geography.“ As an example of this Cllr Knowles feels that Market Harborough has no connection with Coalville, and this is unworkable and will only create future allocation of resource tensions.  

“Leicestershire districts are being forced to consider reorganisation, simplify structures and generate long term efficiencies but we will not be bullied and rushed into a timetable that will inevitably lead to a rushed response, significant upset, waste work and legal challenge. A re-organisation timetable that allows for a well-developed proposal by the autumn is a far better solution for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.    

“In following this logical and sensible timetable it would make no sense to then agree to postpone elections in May 2025 and create a significant democratic deficit for a number of years, residents will not accept elections being cancelled. You are the Champion of Local Democracy and you have spoken about genuinely wanting to be collaborative and work with places, this is your opportunity to show residents you mean that.    

“We have said before, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is not broken, all authorities are currently financially stable, we all deliver good services and support government initiatives. There is therefore no rush to railroad through proposals which are not well developed, not consulted upon and not supported by residents. Given appropriate time I am sure Leicestershire can deliver simpler structures and meet your key tests but for the sake of six months residents will never forgive you if it’s not managed in the right way.  

“We are engaging with our MPs who also feel that consultation and engagement is the fundamental building block. As Leicestershire is not united it will challenge any steamrollering through of election cancellations which forces an unachievable and costly timescale.”