Petition Against City Expansion Tops 9,000

Over 9,000 people have now signed a petition opposing any expansion of Leicester into the county – as part of local government reorganisation.

It was launched by Harborough MP Neil O’Brien amid fears a change of the city’s boundaries would mean higher taxes and more development for the areas affected – like around Great Glen.

The expansion of the city is included in Leicester City Council’s re-organisation proposal, but is opposed by Harborough District Council and the county’s six other district and borough councils.

They have put forward a rival plan called ‘North, City, South,’ that would see the creation of two unitary authorities for the county and one for the city, which they say would save £34m in efficiencies.

An extraordinary meeting of Harborough District Council was held last night after being called by the opposition Conservative group, amid increasing concerns about the potential expansion of the city.

A motion put forward by the Tories, which included a call for the district and borough councils’ final re-organisation plan to be subject to a vote by the Full Council, was defeated in favour of an amended version, tabled by the ruling coalition administration.

Tory councillors refused to accept the amendment, saying it ‘watered down’ their original.

Cllr Simon Whelband, leader of the Conservative group, told the meeting full transparency is needed:

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council, told the meeting, his stance of any expansion of the city is clear:

Leicestershire County Council is proposing a single unitary authority for the whole of the county and another for Leicester City.

Final submissions for re-organisation will be submitted to government in November.