Leicestershire County Council to ‘press ahead’ with restructure plans despite ‘disappointment’
Leicestershire County Council leaders have said they will be pushing ahead with plans to simplify local governance structures. The comments come despite the “disappointing” news that Leicestershire will not in the fast tracked programme for reorganisation, which could have seen the county get more powers, and possibly cash, before other areas.
The county authority had asked to postpone its May elections to allow it to pull together proposals for local political restructuring in light of Government plans to “streamline” council processes in areas, such as Leicestershire, which have two tiers of governance – effectively doing away with the district and borough councils. If the Government had agreed, the county would have been among the priority areas for changes to be implemented. This in turn would have unlocked devolution – greater decision-making powers and potentially money – for the area “at the earliest opportunity”, county leaders said.
However, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner announced today (Wednesday, February 5) that Leicestershire would not be in the fast-track programme – and would be going to the polls in May this year. However, the Government still expects all two-tier areas to progress plans for restructure over the coming months.
READ MORE: Government rules on whether Leicestershire elections can be postponed
Responding to Leicestershire’s failed fast-track bid, acting leader of the authority Deborah Taylor said the news was “disappointing”. However, she added, the council’s leadership was focused on working with partners, including other local councils, to draw up detailed plans for Leicestershire’s future political structure.
She said: “Whilst it is disappointing to have our request refused, we are still required to submit plans for change. This is the first step towards simplifying a confusing system, protecting front-line services and creating a system of local government fit for the 21st century.
“It’s a case of when, not if, change is coming– and it isn’t an optional process. All councils in two tier areas and neighbouring unitary councils, in this case, Leicester and Rutland, were invited to submit reorganisation proposals to Government for a new unitary structure of local governance. All councils in two-tier areas need to put initial bids in by the end of March.”
Councillor Taylor also made reference to previously “frustrated” attempts to secure devolution for the area. The county was one of the first areas to be offered the opportunity to form a devolution agreement under the previous Conservative Government – then called a County Deal.
This would have seen greater decision-making power placed in the hands of local leaders, and if a deal had been struck, it was expected to be backed by around £1 billion in additional funding for the area. However, negotiations hit a snag when it came to light that the highest level of funding could only be unlocked if Leicestershire county joined with the city and Rutland as a combined authority – and if the three areas accepted a single mayor be elected for all of them.
City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby faced backlash from some in the county after he refused to agree to that requirement. At the time, he also branded the expectation of £1 billion from resulting from the local deal a "pure illusion", saying the Government "hasn’t promised a single penny". He also questioned the value of having another tier of local government created.
Coun Taylor said: “It is well known that Leicestershire has been frustrated in trying to achieve any devolution of powers and responsibilities, a frustration which has been shared by MPs and district councils. Since reorganisation is required to unlock devolution, the county council had bid to join the fast-track programme for reorganisation which would enable devolution at the earliest opportunity.
“Moving the election would have sped up the pace, but we still need to get moving. Our focus now is working with all stakeholders to draw up more detailed plans.”
Reorganisation locally is expected to see either one or two single-tier authorities set up for Leicestershire in place of the current district, borough and county set up. The changes could also see Rutland rejoined with Leicestershire, though this is yet to be decided. The city would remain largely separate under current local thinking, but could see its borders expanded to ensure the authority could remain viable, particularly in terms of its difficult financial position. The plans have raised concerns from some who fear the proposals could create a political structure which is “too remote” and “inaccessible” for communities.
Under the fast-tracked scheme, the authority would have had to submit its final proposals by May this year. This is now expected to be an autumn deadline, with the precise timescales still to be communicated to the council by the Government.