Local Government Re-organisation update

While decisions have been announced to progress for some areas, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been advised the Government has withdrawn its July 2026 decision to create two new unitary councils by April 2028, one covering a larger city and another for the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Government remains committed to the LGR process and have set out that further LGR decisions will be forthcoming.

Today’s update means that council services will continue as normal and there is no need for residents, businesses or community groups to do anything. We now await further detail and will provide updates as information becomes available.

Local council elections are still planned for 6 May 2027.

Cllr Simon Whelband, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “The Government has announced a further pause to Local Government Reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. But the threat has NOT gone away.

“I’ve just received confirmation that ministers are reviewing LGR proposals across the country over the coming months and into next year, with decisions to be made as individual proposals are reconsidered.

“I welcome this further pause, but only if ministers are genuinely prepared to listen to local councils and the communities we represent.

“The Government’s handling of this process has been deeply frustrating. Ministers have created enormous uncertainty, failed to properly address local concerns and left councils and their hardworking staff in limbo for even longer.

“We will continue to fight Leicester’s proposed land grab and make the strongest possible representations to ministers. I will not accept any areas of Harborough District being included in any form of expanded city as part of a unitary council.

“This must be a genuine rethink, not another exercise in kicking the can down the road before imposing a decision from Whitehall.

“Our communities deserve better.”