Leicestershire councils come together to challenge plans for Local Government Reorganisation

Five district and borough councils in Leicestershire have today (21 September 2026) issued a pre-action letter to the government as the first formal step in considering a legal challenge to the decision on Local Government Reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

Although the government’s decision on Local Government Reorganisation is currently paused, the councils say they must act now to protect their legal position. Any delay in issuing a pre-action letter would bring the risk of the councils losing the opportunity to challenge the decision within the required legal timeframe. Prior to taking this step, councils had sought clarity from government ministers as to the status of the decision on local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, but no response was received. Requests for further information about why the government selected the chosen option have also been declined. 

Blaby District Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Oadby and Wigston Borough Council say they recognise the significant public concern that followed the announcement of the government’s preferred option, which would see Leicester’s city boundaries expanded and would have a major impact on local rural and semi-rural communities. 

The government’s own consultation also demonstrated the strength of opposition to the expansion of the city boundary, with only 7% of respondents expressing a positive view of the Leicester City Council proposal. 

The councils’ proposed legal challenge focuses on two key issues: whether the Secretary of State had the information needed to properly assess the proposals and determine whether the Leicester City Council option was the best solution for growth and financial sustainability; and whether the Secretary of State had correctly followed the law in making their decision.  

The pre-action letter is the first stage in the judicial review process. Once the Government has responded, the authorities will consider that response carefully before deciding whether to proceed with a legal challenge. 

Cllr Simon Whelband, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “We have listened carefully to the concerns raised by our residents, communities and partners. The government’s preferred option would have significant implications for Harborough and for rural communities across Leicestershire, so it is only right that we take the necessary steps to protect our legal position and ensure these proposals have been properly considered. Issuing a pre-action letter does not mean a legal challenge will definitely proceed, but it allows us to keep that option open while we await the government’s response.” 

The five authorities have also confirmed that they will continue to liaise closely with county council colleagues, who have also initiated their own pre-action process.