County backs potential legal challenge over reorganisation

The Government announced plans to replace the county’s existing authorities with two unitary councils, one of which would centre on the city of Leicester.  

However, the county has hit out at the decision, arguing it unfairly favours the city region.

The county’s motion, which was voted through at an extraordinary meeting on Thursday (6 August), claims the proposal would "drag 100,000s of county residents into Leicester City, overwhelmingly against their will" and describes the move as "an undemocratic disgrace".

The motion notes that the council has sought legal advice on the lawfulness and robustness of the Government’s decision-making process in relation to local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

It also says that, subject to that advice, the council should consider what further steps, "including any available legal remedies, may be appropriate if reasonable grounds are identified for doing so".

Speaking during the meeting, Leicestershire's leader Dan Harrison said the council should receive the legal advice sometime this week.

He told members that the Secretary of State's decision "heavily centred" on the benefits that expansion could bring to Leicester, while failing to mention the economics or sustainability for the surrounding areas.

He also said that modelling carried out by the county council found no compelling evidence that expanding the city boundary would bring long-term financial sustainability.

"In fact, our evidence has shown significant risk arising from the disaggregation of services, transfers of assets, increased complexity and the loss of economic scale," he said.

The Government's consultation meanwhile showed "overwhelming" opposition to expanding Leicester's boundaries, with just 7% of responses expressing support for the plans, he added.

The motion passed with 45 votes in favour and one against.

Adam Carey