The Government has today provided an update on its review of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) decisions in a number of areas across the country.
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been announced to progress for some areas, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been advised the Government has withdrawn its July 2026 decision to create two new unitary councils by April 2028, one covering a larger city and another for the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland.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.
“This is a victory for people power and the Government’s U-turn is extremely welcome.
“Our legal challenge to a city expansion was already underway and I’d like to praise our residents who have fought against this for a long time.
“It’s true that reshaping local councils can offer huge benefits. I remain convinced that the proposal we submitted to Government, simplifying services, saving £40m a year and empowering communities, offers the best solution for the future.
“But national decision making has been shambolic at best. The Government asked councils to draw up proposals, agreed them, paused them, backtracked and now says there’ll be updates later this year. You couldn’t make it up.
“However, yesterday’s announcement about devolving powers to our area is a step in the right direction. It offers an opportunity to build a better Leicestershire. A new mayor offers new money and a new Mayoral Strategic Authority is the strongest platform for growth and investment for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.”
Person:Dan Harrison, leader of Leicestershire County Council