Government Withdraws Council Re-Organisation Plans

Controversial plans to expand Leicester’s boundaries and abolish Harborough District Council have been formally withdrawn, pending further review by the government.

The decision means proposals to create two new unitary councils by April 2028 – one covering a larger Leicester and another covering the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland – will go back to the drawing board.

The government has been reviewing local government reorganisation decisions in several areas of England. While some proposals have been given the go-ahead, Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland has been told its previous decision has been withdrawn.

The government says it remains committed to the reorganisation process and have set out that further decisions will be forthcoming.

Tens of thousands of people have opposed the proposed expansion of Leicester, while councils have launched legal action over the decision-making process.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien has helped lead the campaign against the shake-up.

Harborough District Council leader Councillor Simon Whelband also welcomed the pause, but warned: “The threat has NOT gone away.”

He said the council would continue to oppose Leicester’s proposed expansion and make representations to ministers, adding: “Our communities deserve better.”

Councillor Whelband said the government’s handling of the process had created uncertainty for councils and their staff, and called for a genuine rethink rather than a decision imposed from Westminster.

Local Government Minister Jim McMahon told the House of Commons the government remains committed to the reorganisation process, with further decisions expected:

Leicestershire County Council leader Dan Harrison welcomed the announcement, describing it as “a victory for people power”.

He praised residents who had campaigned against the plans and said the county council’s legal challenge to the proposed city expansion was already under way.

Councillor Harrison also criticised the government’s handling of the process, saying: “You couldn’t make it up.”

The government says council services will continue as normal and residents, businesses and community groups do not need to take any action.

Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the opposition at Harborough District Council, said: “The time has come for the government to accept that they have to agree they have got this badly wrong and that the status quo of local government is Leicestershire and Rutland doesn’t need fixing.

“Therefore they should withdraw completely and agree to move on with democracy as we have it.”

Local council elections are still planned for 6 May 2027.

Further details on the government’s review and future decisions are expected early next year.