Hundreds oppose proposal to expand Leicester borders into county
Hundreds of people have opposed plans to expand the city's borders into the county. More than 1,200 residents have signed a petition to “stop Leicester taking over surrounding areas” in the four days since it was set up by local MPs Neil O’Brien and Alicia Kearns.
The possible expansion was revealed last week in response to Government calls for two-tier authority areas such as Leicestershire to become single political organisations. For Leicestershire, this is expected to mean the end of the district and borough councils – as well as the potential incorporation of Rutland into a new, single, unitary authority. In return, greater powers and potentially cash would be expected to be extended to the new authority – a process known as devolution.
The government's announcement also revealed that Leicester could remain separate. However, for the city to remain a viable authority, particularly in terms of its current financial difficulties, local political opinion is that it needs to grow in size, by expanding into the county. The news has sparked strong responses from the districts and boroughs, as well as Rutland County Council and local MPs.
READ MORE: Sir Peter Soulsby speaks out on proposed Leicester expansion plan
No decisions have yet been made on which areas would be brought within city boundaries if that option is taken forward. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby told LeicestershireLive last week that it was a matter to be discussed between councils.
He added at the time: “I just don't think it would be at all helpful for me to start laying claim and drawing lines on a map in advance of those discussions […]. I have been very, very careful not to draw any lines, even for myself, and certainly not to get any [council] officers drawing those lines.”
Both Mr O’Brien, who represents Harborough, Oadby and Wigston, and Ms Kearns, whose Rutland and Stamford constituency includes some areas of Leicestershire within its boundaries, have come out in opposition to the plan. They have set up a petition online for residents to sign.
It reads: “Leicester Mayor Peter Soulsby wants to bring surrounding areas under the control of Leicester City Council. Areas would transfer from neighbouring councils and come under the city council instead.
“This would mean higher council tax for people transferred into the city, and would likely also mean more development – one of the main reasons the city wants to expand is to put more development in the surrounding areas, not the city centre.” They further claimed that the proposal to expand the city had been released “without consulting a single local person”.
The petition, set up on Friday, January 10, had hit 1,251 signatures by midday on Tuesday, January 14. One respondent said: “There has already been more than enough development locally. I do not want to just become another part of the city, especially as this would cost me more for no additional benefit.
"The proposals are clearly intended to raise money for the city and build cheap housing at minimal cost. The city should concentrate on making it a desirable place to live and make use of the unused areas and buildings already there.”
A second added: “I am against any rise to my already high council tax. Leave Oadby and Wigston borough as it is.”
Others took the opportunity to criticise the wider government plans. One said: “I am deeply concerned at the erosion of local representation and accountability." Another wrote: "I don’t want a faceless council. I want a local council that knows the area and people in it.”
A final commenter said: “We don't want to be swallowed up by another council, we should get a choice, it is our borough.”
LeicestershireLive asked Sir Peter if he had a message for anyone who might be concerned about the proposals when we spoke to him last week. He said: “Most people who live either side of the boundary will tell you that the levels of service that they get are broadly comparable.
“In a number of parts of the city, I think even the people who live there have difficulty telling you where those boundaries are and it's certainly not any difference in services that mark them.”
Any proposed changes would have to be submitted to the Government for approval before they can be implemented. The deadline for this is May this year.