LEICESTER City Council has today (3 Jun) received the Government’s response to its interim proposal to expand the city’s boundary as part of plans to reorganise local government.
In December 2024, the Government announced major changes to simplify how local government will work in England. This would abolish the two-tier system of councils which exists in many areas, including Leicestershire, and replace them with larger, single-tier unitary councils. This would in turn pave the way for devolution – the transfer of more power from central government to the regions.
The Government invited local councils to make proposals for change in their areas.
It has now issued feedback on the three separate proposals covering Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicester City Council’s interim proposal suggests a sensible and proportionate expansion of the city boundaries to include adjoining suburbs. This would create an expanded city council and a new single-tier authority in the county. These would be of roughly equal size and would both meet the Government’s target population for new unitary authorities, of at least 500,000 people.
The Government feedback provides guidance on how plans can be further developed into a final submission for November. No decisions have been made at this stage.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We have now received and will carefully consider the Government’s feedback to our interim proposal and will be continuing discussions with the county, district and Rutland councils to see if we can agree a way forward.
“I remain absolutely convinced that any realistic option for local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland must address the historic accident of our city’s boundaries. An expanded city is key to unlocking devolution and boosting much needed housing development and economic growth.
“With the local elections in the county now concluded, I hope that we will now be able to return to sensible discussions about where new boundary lines should be drawn as we consider not just the challenges but also the immense opportunities of reshaping our local councils.
“We will, of course, ensure that people are kept informed as our proposal develops over the coming months.”
Leicester City Council will now continue discussions with the county, district and Rutland councils to see if a joint proposal for change across the area can be developed.
If this is not possible, the city council will continue to develop its own plan.
All councils must submit their final proposals by 28 November 2025.
Central government will have the final decision on a proposal, and will lead public consultation on it.
The Government’s response to Leicester’s interim proposal is available to view online at: leicester.gov.uk/devolution