Leicestershire and Rutland vision for future of local council structures submitted to government

A bold vision which puts people and places at the heart of future council structures in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been submitted to government today (Friday 21 March 2025).

Rutland County Council and the seven district and borough councils of Leicestershire and have worked closely together to create the shared vision which is built on a foundation of collaboration, evidence and engagement.

The plan is in response to the government’s request to the area to submit interim proposals to reduce the number of councils and replace them with new unitary authorities. It is part of its devolution agenda.

It has been developed by the partnership of councils and proposes three equally-sized unitary councils to deliver all council services. One would serve North Leicestershire and Rutland, and one would serve South Leicestershire. They would work alongside Leicester City Council.

The district councils and Rutland County Council say their interim proposal would:

• keep councils connected and accountable to local communities
• simplify services for residents, businesses, and partners
• protect and support the vulnerable and focus on prevention
• deliver devolution and economic growth
• boost efficiency, saving nearly £43 million a year 

“The eight councils involved in developing this interim plan have collaborated to an unprecedented level and sought input from communities and a wide range of stakeholders.  

“The evidence, data and engagement carried out so far has made it clear that the proposal we make to government delivers on all fronts. It meets the government’s criteria for devolution and local government reorganisation and secures the best deal for our communities. 

“Three well-balanced, equally-sized councils can retain community connection and accountability, simplify services, protect and support the most vulnerable and deliver devolution which is critical to boost the local economy. It also sets out a greater focus on prevention and helping people live healthier and more independent lives. 

“Our interim plan will also deliver savings, but it very much puts people and place at the heart of future local government structures.

“We are clear this is an interim plan and further engagement is needed with government, stakeholders and communities before final proposals are made in November. We will continue to gather the evidence and carry out more in-depth engagement in the coming months. All voices must be heard.

“While we do not think the current system is broken, we very much recognise the government’s intent on change and therefore we need to deliver.

“We are also still of the view that Leicestershire County Council’s idea for one single unitary authority for Leicestershire would be too big, too cumbersome and too remote for local communities. 

“We would like to thank the more than 4,600 people and organisations who submitted their views during an initial piece of engagement work. Much more engagement will follow.

“This is the biggest shake-up of local government in 50 years, and we are working hard to get this right for all communities.”

Joint statement by the Leaders of Leicestershire district councils and Rutland County Council 

The interim plan from the district and borough councils and Rutland County Council has been published on websites today.

The plan says the North, City, South option offers a much better-balanced council structure with three councils of around 400,000 residents when compared to Leicestershire County Council’s proposal for one single unitary for Leicestershire of around 800,000 residents.

The interim plan outlines how the balanced geographies for three new councils would ensure they can retain connection and accountability to local communities.

Options including Rutland

Rutland is currently included in three different interim plan options being submitted on 21 March:

• an option for a three-unitary model covering the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area, which could see us form part of a new council structure serving North Leicestershire and Rutland
• one of several options in the Greater Lincolnshire area interim plan, which could see us join with North Kesteven, South Kesteven and South Holland
• an option being tabled by Leicester City Council, which could expand the city boundaries and include Rutland in a single Leicestershire unitary

The devolution and reorganisation information pages on our website have been updated to provide links to each of the three interim plans, so they can be read in full alongside each other.

Having reached the government’s March checkpoint for interim plan submissions, the next key deadline is 28 November 2025, when full and final proposals for local government reorganisation are expected. These proposals need to show how councils in an area have worked together in coming to a view that meets local needs and is informed by local views.

Further engagement

Rutland County Council will be carrying out further detailed analysis and widespread public engagement around all the options that include Rutland and are planning for this engagement to begin in May.