Concerns over the future of Rutland County Council if devolution deal goes ahead

There are concerns about the future of Rutland County council because of a possible devolution deal.

Proposals for the reorganisation of the Leicestershire region have been revealed - nothing has been finalised.

Local council leaders are preparing for a devolution agreement likely to include Rutland and Leicestershire

It's thought to access the highest funding from Government the city of Leicester, the wider Leicestershire county and Rutland would join together as a combined authority under an elected Mayor .

Rutland's MP calls for greater clarity

Another proposed would see changes to boundaries in Leicestershire., although it's not clear what would happen to Rutland.

Rutland's MP Alicia Kearns is calling for greater clarity and is planning a public meeting after she's able to get more details.

Meanwhile Rutland county council has responded.

Here's their statement:

Discussions are still ongoing between Rutland County Council, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and Leicestershire’s District Councils about how best to enable devolution and shape these plans across our areas. Nothing has been decided yet.

It’s also important that clear evidence is weighed up

Councillor Gale Waller, Leader of Rutland County Council said: “We believe it’s important that equal weight and consideration be given to all options, as we consider things like boundaries."

"It’s also important that clear evidence is weighed up around the benefits of these options, before adopting any new arrangements."

“Reorganising local government has the potential to deliver efficiencies and there is a need to ensure councils are sustainable. However, the success of a council is heavily influenced by the critically important relationship between scale and physical geography."

Councils work best when their boundaries reflect the way people live their lives,

"We cannot dismiss this."

"Councils work best when their boundaries reflect the way people live their lives, where they go to work, learn, shop, spend their leisure time and get healthcare.”

Rutland County Council is awaiting further correspondence from the government, setting out criteria for what it considers to be sustainable unitary structures and when proposals should be submitted.

Local authorities have until 10 January to submit a request to postpone their local elections.

This does not affect Rutland because the authority is not due to hold full council elections until 2027.

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