Delivering devolution and growth key to a council reorganisation plan published today
A draft plan to reorganise councils, accelerate devolution and unlock economic growth across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been published today.
The North, City, South plan sets out a vision for three unitary councils and a mayoral strategic authority to lead the area into a more prosperous future.
The three unitary authorities, which would deliver all council services, would cover North Leicestershire and Rutland, South Leicestershire, and Leicester City. Each would have a population of around 400,000 residents.
Developed jointly by Leicestershire’s district and borough councils and Rutland County Council, the draft plan proposes to:
- create more prevention focused services to improve lives and reduce demand
- save over £44 million a year
- keep councils connected to communities
- deliver devolution at pace by holding a Mayoral election in 2027
- build on, and accelerate, economic growth by identifying strengths then using devolved powers and funding to support jobs and infrastructure investment
- retain Leicester’s current City boundary
The North, City, South draft calls this a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset, reimagine, and reinvigorate local government and says engagement with communities and stakeholders has shown significant support.
The proposal is in response to the Government’s instruction to reduce councils in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area and create a mayoral-led strategic authority as part of its devolution agenda to give power and funding to the regions.
The eight councils submitted an interim plan to Government in March and have now published a more detailed draft.
Each district council and Rutland County Council will now consider the proposal, and further amendments will be made ahead of the Government’s final proposal deadline of 28 November 2025.
The plan’s key points are summarised below.
Neighbourhood Partnerships and the prevention agenda
The North, City, South model outlines how core council services such as social care and housing could work more closely alongside the NHS, police and the voluntary and charity sector, joining up area-based services, and tailoring them to the needs of local communities, overseen by new, dynamic Neighbourhood Partnerships.
Working with local residents, these partnerships would identify local priorities and agree Neighbourhood and Community Plans to deliver them. Built around recognisable local communities, the model envisages nine or 10 partnerships in the north and south unitaries, with fewer in the City.
Keeping the ‘local’ in local government, a key focus for the Neighbourhood Partnerships is to support healthier, more independent lives, reducing future demand on services, and improving local wellbeing and prosperity.
The model will also create opportunities to invest in housing and build an extra 1,150 homes for affordable social rents.
Sustainable services
The North, City South plan would deliver savings of more than £44 million a year by reducing staffing costs and councillor numbers, achieving procurement efficiencies through greater buying power and creating the potential to rationalise some assets and properties, whilst maintaining a commitment to retain customer service centres in all key towns.
The plan sets out a 10-year strategy which will transform the 10 councils’ collective budgets from a deficit into a surplus, through the prevention agenda which will reduce demand.
Strong support for North, City, South
The North, City South group held a significant engagement exercise in the summer which received over 6,000 responses.
It revealed strong support for the North, City South proposal with over half (56%) backing a three unitary model, and 60% supporting the North, City, South proposed areas.
No complex boundary changes
The engagement exercise showed the proposed city boundary expansion was the main topic people wanted to comment on, with strong opposition to any expansion. The North, City, South plan concludes the City Council’s proposal to expand the city boundary would:
- be expensive and complex to implement
- not significantly improve the City Council finances
- be hugely unpopular with communities
Delivering devolution at pace and driving growth
The North, City, South plan calls for mayoral elections in May 2027 to bring powers and funding to the area as soon as possible. This is something local businesses and stakeholders in districts and boroughs have called for during extensive engagement.
The North, City, South plan says three well-balanced unitary councils better fit the strategic authority model and offer clear division between strategic oversight and service delivery.
Economic modelling shows the three unitary council approach has the potential to stimulate significant growth, supporting the creation of 219,000 jobs and generating £8 billion to the public purse thanks to business growth by 2050.
Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and speaking on behalf of the Leaders of the North, City, South councils, said: “The North, City, South plan has been developed by the eight partner councils, representing a wide range of political views and demonstrating a strong commitment to collaboration for the good of our communities.
“This draft has now been published to be considered by our fellow councillors. We’re also sharing it with communities, businesses and stakeholders who have helped shaped its development.
“Should it be approved, the final proposal will be made to Government in November.
“North, City, South makes a strong case to deliver devolution alongside local government reorganisation. This will unlock investment, create jobs, and boost prosperity. The approach reflects feedback from businesses and stakeholders who support these ambitions.
“It also outlines a once-in-a-generation chance to shift from treating symptoms to tackling root causes, getting support to people earlier.
“Local government isn’t broken, but the Government says change is needed and the North, City, South plan offers a clear direction of travel for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for the next 50 years.”
The draft proposal can be read on the North, City, South website. Visit https://www.northcitysouth.co.uk/draft-proposal
ENDS
Notes to editors
Here’s a link to a map of the proposed new areas under the North, City, South plan: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCt67h
The leaders of the district and borough councils and Rutland County Council are listed below.
- Cllr Ben Taylor, Leader of Blaby District Council
- Cllr Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council
- Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council
- Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
- Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council
- Cllr Richard Blunt, Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council
- Cllr Samia Haq, Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
- Cllr Gale Waller, Leader of Rutland County Council