Council Shake-Up Put On Hold
Written by HFM News on 8th September 2026
Plans to scrap Harborough District Council and expand Leicester’s boundaries have been put on hold by the government.
The controversial proposals have been paused following new legal advice.
Under the plans for local government reorganisation, a single unitary authority would replace Leicestershire’s existing councils, while Leicester would absorb areas including Great Glen and Wistow.
Harborough Conservative MP Neil O’Brien gave his reaction:
Confirming the review in Parliament, Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner told MPs that, in light of legal advice, she wanted to ensure the correct process was being followed and that it was robust and lawful.
She also said she wanted to fully test whether the proposals met the priorities of the new administration and Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Ms Rayner acknowledged the announcement was “disappointing”, but said the government was “determined more than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent”.
The plans originated under Sir Keir Starmer’s government, when Ms Rayner was also local government secretary, before she was replaced by Steve Reed.
Leader of Harborough District Council Simon Whelband has welcomed the pause and has called on the government to now scrap the shake-up idea:
Elections were planned for next May, called ‘shadow elections’, to elect new councillors to the two new councils to be formed in the city and county.
Councillor Phil Knowles, leader of the opposition at Harborough District Council, has also opposed the move:
