Have your say on local government reorganisation

Overview

Have your say on local government reorganisation 

The Government intends to make major changes to how local government is organised in England. 

Relevant councils have been invited to make proposals for their areas to establish sensible boundaries, simplify how councils are organised and make them more efficient. The aim is to reduce complexity and costs while delivering better and more joined-up services. 

The two-tier system of councils which still operates in some areas – including Leicestershire – is being abolished. District and county councils would be replaced by single tier unitary councils. 

For existing unitary councils – such as Leicester – the Government has also recognised that their size and boundaries can make it hard for them to deliver sustainable, high-quality services. Therefore, the reorganisation process also allows consideration of expanding current boundaries. 

Three interim proposals were put to the Government by councils in the area in March 2025. All these are subject to change as councils consult further and review their proposals.

Find out more about Leicester City Council's proposal

Find out more about Leicestershire County Council's proposal

Find out more about Districts and Rutland's proposal

Leicester’s boundaries have not changed in over 100 years and no longer reflect the reality of the wider urban area and how people live their lives. The city council’s preference continues to be a sensible expansion of boundaries to include the built-up area of the city and its suburbs. A second single-tier unitary authority would cover the county/Rutland rural areas and market towns which have a distinctly different character. 

This proposal would result in balanced populations for the two unitary authorities and achieve the Government’s guiding aim of 500,000 people or more in each new council area. It would also help public services to be delivered more cost-effectively and efficiently, and provide land for much-needed housing and jobs for local people.

All councils must submit their final proposals to Government by 28 November. The Government then intends to carry out formal consultation with stakeholders and the public before deciding which proposal to take forward. 

You can find out more about local government reorganisation and devolution on the Leicester City Council website.

Why your views matter

We continue to talk with a range of stakeholders about the reorganisation of local government and we also want to hear your views to help shape our final proposals to the Government. 

We also continue to engage with the county, district and Rutland councils to try to agree a proposal for change.

The survey should take about 10 minutes to complete and it is open until 6 October. 

If you need a copy of this survey in a different format, please email consultations@leicester.gov.uk.