Local Government Reorganisation update

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announced to progress for some areas, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) has been advised the Government has withdrawn its July 2026 decision to create two new unitary councils by April 2028, one covering a larger city and another for the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland.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. 

Councillor Ronan Browne, the Leader of Melton Borough Council, commented that: 

"We welcome the Government's decision to withdraw the previous Local Government Reorganisation decision, which would have included significant expansion of the city council boundary into Rural Leicestershire. However, we continue to operate in a period of great uncertainty for local government which is extremely unhelpful. 

"At the very least, whatever form it now takes, we know Local Government Reorganisation will be delayed until at least April 2029. While we await further details from Government, over the next few months we will need to fully assess the impact of this delay, particularly on the Council's financial sustainability. We will be making strong representations to Government for additional funding to ensure our residents continue to receive the services they deserve and currently receive.

"Alongside this, we will proactively explore opportunities to work even more collaboratively with other Districts, Rutland and the County Council to improve efficiency and resilience, irrespective of the form Local Government Reorganisation takes in the future." 

~ ends ~