Local government reorganisation information for job applicants

You may have heard about local government reorganisation and devolution.

Through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, the Government wants to reorganise councils into fewer authorities and devolve powers and funding to the regions.

The Government has decided that from April 2028, two unitary councils will be created to serve the area:

• Leicester Council will cover Leicester, Oadby and Wigston and parts of Blaby, Charnwood, and Harborough
• Leicestershire and Rutland Council will cover the remaining part of Leicestershire and Rutland

The area currently served by Melton Borough Council will form part of the Leicestershire and Rutland Council.

For new recruits, is this worrying or an opportunity?

While local government reorganisation does mean councils like Melton Borough Council will cease to exist in 2028 on the current timetable, services will transfer across to the new authorities.

We cannot guarantee that some roles will not be lost to reduce duplication and cost, but they will be few in number and likely to be more senior roles.

Experience in other areas where reorganisation has taken place shows that this has been the case, but clearly no guarantees can be offered at this stage.

Another way to look at reorganisation is that this is an opportunity to get involved in the biggest transformation of local government in 50 years.

This is a chance to join local government and shape important services for our communities for another half a century.

It will not be easy, but if you like a challenge, now may be the ideal time to join local government. 

Further information

You can find out more about local government reorganisation and devolution on the Future Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland website. 

The Local Government Association (LGA) also has a wealth of information. Visit the LGA's devolution hub.