Government announce new unitary councils for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland

Three proposals to reorganise the existing 10 councils were put forward and considered by Government.

Government has confirmed that from April 2028 there will be two unitary councils to deliver all services to residents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Those councils will be:

• A unitary council covering Leicester, Oadby and Wigston and parts of Blaby, Charnwood, and Harborough
• A unitary council for the remaining area of Leicestershire and Rutland

It means most of Harborough will be served by the new council for Leicestershire and Rutland. Some areas of Harborough, including Great Glen, Little Stretton, Newton Harcourt, Scraptoft, Stoughton, Thurnby and Bushby, Willoughby Waterleys and Wistow will be served by the new council covering Leicester, Oadby and Wigston, and parts of Blaby, Charnwood and Harborough.

This map may help you to understand the new areas: www.futurellrcouncils.gov.uk/uploads/leicester-city-lgr-agreed-outcome-map.pdf?v=1784194007 

All council services are continuing as usual and further updates will follow.

There is no need for residents to do anything at this time.

Any significant changes will only come into effect in 2028.

Responding to today's announcement, Cllr Whelband, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: 

“Today's decision is a slap in the face for the people of Harborough. The Government has chosen to ignore the views of local communities and press ahead with a land grab that residents neither wanted nor voted for.

“This proposal has been opposed by Harborough District Council, local MPs, parish councils and residents across our district. We made it abundantly clear that there is no local mandate for taking communities out of Harborough and forcing them into Leicester City. We fought this proposal at every stage. We took our case directly to Ministers. We made the arguments. Sadly, the Government simply chose not to listen.

“As recently as this week, I challenged the Local Government Minister directly and made the strength of local feeling absolutely clear. It is now evident that those concerns fell on deaf ears.

“I am also appalled that the Government has chosen to announce this decision on the final sitting day before Parliament rises for the summer recess, denying MPs the opportunity to properly scrutinise or challenge this decision in the House of Commons.

“Harborough District Council will continue to work throughout the transition to protect local services, represent the interests of our district and ensure our communities are treated fairly.

“To our communities, my message is simple: Harborough District Council will not walk away. We are now looking at every option available to us, which includes legal challenge.”

A website – www.futureLLRcouncils.gov.uk- has been developed to help keep residents informed about local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. It has been established by all 10 councils and further information will be added to it in the coming weeks and months.