A bold vision to reset and reimagine local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and deliver better outcomes for communities, led by the Leicestershire district and borough councils and Rutland County Council

Media release

Date: 5 February 2025

For immediate release

Have your say on future of local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland  

Communities are encouraged to have their say in a Government consultation on the future of local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Government is seeking views on three different proposals to reorganise the existing 10 councils into a smaller number of unitary councils which would each deliver all services.

A seven-week consultation is now underway with views sought on the following proposals:

• Two councils with an expanded Leicester city boundary and a single council for the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland (proposed by Leicester City Council)
• Two councils with one single council for Leicestershire and Rutland and one for Leicester on its existing boundary (proposed by Leicestershire County Council)
• Three councils with a council for north Leicestershire and Rutland, a council for south Leicestershire and one for the city on its existing boundary. It is called the North, City, South proposal (proposed by the seven district and borough councils and Rutland County Council)

Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and speaking on behalf of the Leaders of the North, City, South councils, said: “We are proud of what our councils deliver and do not believe the system is broken, but the Government has made it clear that things have to change across the whole country. Therefore, this represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset and reimagine local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and our proposal offers the best option available.

“The eight North, City, South councils have worked hard to develop a proposal which would deliver three strong, financially sustainable councils, capable of improving services and accelerating economic growth.

“Our proposal is built on collaboration, evidence and engagement, with thousands of residents helping to shape the final document. If things need to change, we believe North, City, South is the best way forward for our communities.

“I strongly urge residents, businesses, partners and organisations to take part in this this consultation and have their say.”

The North, City, South Councils say their plan would:

• ensure councils remain connected to communities
• retain Leicester’s current city boundary
• deliver more prevention focused services to improve lives and reduce demand
• save over £44 million a year
• create three financially sustainable councils
• support devolution and accelerate economic growth
• commit to retaining Rutland’s historic name and civic status

To have your say in the Government consultation visit  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-leicestershire-leicester-and-rutland/proposals-for-local-government-reorganisation-in-leicestershire-leicester-and-rutland

The deadline for responses is 11:59pm on 26 March 2026.

Government is expected to choose a final proposal by the summer and the new authorities are due to come into effect from 2028.

For more information about the North, City, South proposal, visit www.northcitysouth.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors

Here’s a link to a map of the proposed new areas under the North, City, South plan: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCt67h

The leaders of the district and borough councils and Rutland County Council are listed below.

Cllr Ben Taylor, Leader of Blaby District Council

Cllr Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council

Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council

Cllr Richard Blunt, Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council

Cllr Samia Haq, Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council

Cllr Gale Waller, Leader of Rutland County Council

 

This email and any files sent with it are confidential. If this email isn’t intended for you, please notify the sender immediately and then permanently delete it. You must not read, print, store, disclose, copy or take any other action in respect of this email. We routinely monitor incoming and outgoing email messages to ensure they comply with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s policy on the use of electronic communications. The contents of emails may have to be disclosed to a request under the Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. The views expressed by the author may not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. Attachments to email messages may contain viruses that may damage your system. Whilst Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise this risk, we cannot accept any liability for any damage you suffer as a result. You are advised to carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment. Save paper – only print this email if necessary. Visit us online: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk Main office: Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leics LE10 0FR

This email and any files sent with it are confidential.

If this email isn’t intended for you, please notify the sender immediately and then permanently delete it.

You must not read, print, store, disclose, copy or take any other action in respect of this email.

 

We routinely monitor incoming and outgoing email messages to ensure they comply with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s policy on the use of electronic communications.

The contents of emails may have to be disclosed to a request under the Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

 

The views expressed by the author may not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council.

 

Attachments to email messages may contain viruses that may damage your system.

Whilst Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise this risk, we cannot accept any liability for any damage you suffer as a result.

You are advised to carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment.

 

Save paper – only print this email if necessary.

 

Visit us online: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

 

Main office: Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leics LE10 0FR. Main switchboard: 01455 238141

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council  

Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0FR  

 

  

PRESS RELEASE  

 

  

ISSUED 28 JANUARY 2026 

 

  

Consultation launched on future of governance in Hinckley  

 

  

Those with an interest in the town of Hinckley are invited to give their views on the future of its governance.

 

The Borough Council wants to hear from any Hinckley residents, businesses, visitors, volunteers or community groups about the possible formation of a Hinckley Town Council.

 

This is part of a community governance review launched by the Borough Council in July 2025. It was prompted by the government’s plans for local government reorganisation, which will see all district/borough and county councils in Leicestershire replaced with one or two larger unitary authorities.

 

Based on the feedback from the first phase of public consultation, the council’s working group has recommended creating a new Hinckley Town Council with 20 councillors, divided into four wards, with the first elections to take place in 2027.

 

A new town council could take on local services like parks, community events and amenities, although the exact services it provides would be up to them.

 

Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of the Borough Council, said: “It’s vital that we give residents and stakeholders a strong voice. This reorganisation will re-shape how services are delivered in our borough and across the county.

 

“Everyone connected to Hinckley must be heard so that we can give the town the strongest possible model of governance in the years ahead.

 

“The aim of the review is to improve community engagement, strengthen local democracy and make local services more effective and convenient.”

 

You can respond online at www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/hinckleytowncouncil or request a paper form from the Hinckley Hub.

 

The consultation closes on 28 February 2026.

  

 

ENDS  

LCC are making  changes to FoxConnect Zone 9, Measham and Atherstone Interchange Point that ensure the service benefits commuters, people that rely on public transport for medical appointments and supports the local economy.

 

These changes will take effect from Monday 26 January.

 

Full details are available online:
🔗 https://www.choosehowyoumove.co.uk/leicestershire-foxconnect/north-west-leicestershire-foxconnect/
(Please note: the maps are currently being updated to reflect these changes)

What’s Changing?

🚏Atherstone
To give workers and those looking for work even more convenience, we’re adding:

• A new stop at Aldi Distribution Centre
• A new stop on Carlyon Road Industrial Estate

📍Measham* –  Zone 9

• Zone 9 is expanding to include Measham. Passengers will be able to travel directly:

• From Measham to Atherstone and Market Bosworth
• From Atherstone and Market Bosworth to Measham
• To villages/settlements within zone 9

*Measham will be removed as a destination and instead form part of Zone 9. Previously, there was no direct travel from Measham to/from Atherstone and Market Bosworth.

 

How We’re Improving the Service

We are actively reviewing the FoxConnect service, focusing on passenger feedback, residents travel needs and convenient travel locations. If you have any further comments or feedback, please get in touch.

Please see information below on the LCC scheme for donating unwanted bicycles.  Please share this information with your community.

 

Families and residents across Leicestershire can now donate your old or unwanted bicycles to our new Leicestershire Bike Bank.

 

Choose How You Move are collecting bicycles in any condition, for ages 7 and upwards – whether broken, unused, or replaced by new bikes over the holidays – from ‘donation stations’ across the county. Teen and adult bikes are also accepted and will be used for other Choose How You Move initiatives.

 

Local shops have joined the scheme as ‘donation stations’, to collect bikes at the beginning of January. The dates, times and locations are as follows:

 

Date	Location	Time
Friday 2 January 2026	Asda Thurmaston, Barkby Thorpe Lane, Thurmaston, Leicester, LE4 8GN	10am – 12pm
	Tesco Extra, Park Road, Loughborough, LE11 2EX	1pm – 3pm
Monday 5 January 2026	Visitor Car Park, County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RJ	8am – 9am
		12pm – 1pm
		4pm – 5pm
Wednesday 7 January 2026	Visitor Car Park, County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RJ	8am – 9am
	Next HQ, Desford Road, Enderby, LE19 4AT	10am – 12pm
	Visitor Car Park, County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RJ	12pm – 1pm
	Joules HQ, The Barn, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, LE16 7QD	1pm – 3pm
	Visitor Car Park, County Hall, Glenfield, LE3 8RJ	4pm – 5pm

 

Donation stations at other sites, such as bike shops, will pop up from December 2025 to January 2026. You can find a full list of bike donation stations by searching for the Leicestershire Bike Bank.

 

The Choose How You Move website has further information if people cannot reach the donation stations. For arranging a home collection, donators can complete an e-form | Active Together. Please note that slots will be limited.

 

Children’s bicycles will be refurbished and then used for Active Together’s ‘Set, Pedal – Go!’ project from next Spring, lending bikes to school children who don’t have their own so they can learn essential cycling skills alongside their classmates.

 

By donating old or unwanted bikes, residents can give them an extra lease of life, reduce waste, and make cycling accessible for all children in Leicestershire.

Dear consultations subscriber, In-Person Event for Local Plan – Tuesday 25 November, Atkins Building (Venue Change) The next Local Plan consultation event will now take place at The Atkins Building (previously planned at the Hub). Date and time remain the same. Atkins Building, Hinckley LE19 1QU Tuesday 25 November 5:30pm to 7:30pm If you are interested in knowing more about the emerging Hinckley & Bosworth Local Plan before you submit your comments, come along and chat to our Planning Team. The Local Plan consultation remains open until Friday 28 November at 5pm – so there is still time to have your say. To submit comments and for further information visit: https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/2025reg18 Kind regards. Planning (Policy) Team Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council