The government has launched a consultation about local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
It 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 began on 5 February 2026 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)
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.
