Councils proceed with judicial review claim in view of pause on local government reorganisation

All Leicestershire district and borough councils have filed a protective judicial review claim against the Government’s decision on local government reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

The councils say the Government’s current pause on decisions for local government reorganisation in England has left them with no choice but to take the next legal step to protect their position, having previously sought clarity from ministers and requested further information about the decision-making process for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. 

Five councils - Blaby District Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Oadby and Wigston Borough Council – announced in September that they had issued a pre-action letter to the government as the first formal step in considering a legal challenge to the decision on local government reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.  

Following relevant Cabinet meetings, all seven Leicestershire district and borough councils have agreed to proceed with filing a protective claim for judicial review. 

The claim follows the Government’s announcement in July of its plans to move forward with proposals to create two new unitary councils for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, including an expanded Leicester boundary affecting parts of Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough and the whole of Oadby and Wigston. 

The councils recognise the significant public concern that followed the announcement of the government’s preferred option, particularly among rural and semi-rural communities that would be affected by the proposed boundary changes. 
 
The claim argues that the Government decision was not made in accordance with the law and without proper consultation. It also argues the Government did not properly consider the impact on local people or the costs involved. Finally, it argues that there was not a strong enough reason for the boundary changes that were approved. 

Leader of Melton Borough Council, Cllr Ronan Browne, commented that "In light of the Government's decision to pause and review local government reorganisation, and the fact that the local decision seeks to extend Leicester City into much of Leicestershire, we feel that this action is necessary and the lack of consideration for our unique rural character has to be listened to. 

"In order to protect our position and support the other 6 districts in Leicestershire we have joined in a judicial review to challenge the process the Government followed. We are listening to the view of residents in Melton Borough and wider Leicestershire in joining in this action, and as a council we will continue to speak up for our residents."

The councils say they remain committed to working constructively with partners across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and that council services will continue as normal while the legal process is in progress. 

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For more information please contact: communications@melton.gov.uk