Big enough to deliver
Close enough to respond
Local government in Leicestershire is changing
The government wants to reduce the number of councils in areas like ours and make things simpler and more efficient.
This will mean new unitary councils are created to provide all services.
They will replace the district and borough councils, and the county councils.
Working together
The seven district and borough councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council are working together to look at how we can make this work best for local communities.
Three unitary councils
From the work we have done so far, a preferred approach for local government structures in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is emerging.
- One to serve North Leicestershire and Rutland
(an area currently served by North West Leicestershire, Charnwood and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council)
- One for South Leicestershire
(an area currently served by Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, and Oadby and Wigston district and borough councils)
- One for the city of Leicester
(based on its existing boundaries)
The benefits of three unitary councils
This approach ensures that there are three well-balanced local councils that can remain connected to people and places, are accessible and accountable, efficient and have simple structures.
These are initial ideas. We need to do much more work, including engaging with our communities.
 We need views to help shape our proposal
We are talking to stakeholders but want to make sure residents, organisations and businesses can also share their views.
We have created a short survey so you can have a say now.
The ‘ask’ at this stage is really simple – what is most important to you when you think about your local council? If you have any other thoughts or views on the topic, feel free to share them with us.
The deadline is tight. The Government wants an interim plan by 21 March 2025, so we'd appreciate your initial thoughts by Friday 14 March.
There will be more to get involved as much wider public engagement is planned before final proposals need to be submitted in November 2025.
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