The Government is proposing to scrap two-tier authorities and small unitary councils. In their place they wish to create new unitary councils with a 380,000 to 500,000 minimum population.*
The first proposals for Local Council Re-Organisation were put forward to Government by Local Councils on Friday 21st March 2025. These proposals are set out below.
Ongoing timeline for re-organisation:
- Government feedback on interim proposals: 28th April 2025
- Deadline for detailed proposals submission: November 28th 2025
- Statutory consultation by Government (expected to only cover Mayoralties): Jan-April 2026
- Government decision: May-August 2026
- Devolution priority areas: April 2027
- 185 current council areas into new councils by April 2028
I have provided a very topline summary, please do read the detailed proposals for which links are all provided below. I hope our Councils will launch meaningful consultation soon, it is long overdue. But in the meantime, I would be grateful to hear your views.
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PROPOSALS FOR RUTLAND
North Kesteven, South Kesteven, South Holland and Rutland Model
Submitted by South Kesteven and North Kesteven District Councils.
This proposal puts forward a three-unitary model for Lincolnshire, which sees Rutland join together with South Kesteven, North Kesteven and South Holland. Rutland would, I expect, then come under the Lincolnshire Mayoralty too.
Rutland County Council has since the proposal was submitted, agreed to share data with the other Councils so this model can be further developed.
This proposal aligns with the existing Local Enterprise Partnership, existing economy and Parliamentary constituencies. However, it crosses health and police authorities.
Savings and cost: Annual savings have yet to be confirmed but they are expected according to the proposals to be in the tens of millions.
Number of Councillors: 60-95 Councillors overall envisioned under this proposal.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 405,000.
Leicestershire North and Rutland Model
Submitted by Rutland County Council and the seven Leicestershire District Councils.
This proposal puts forward a three-unitary model for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area. Rutland would join together with Melton Council, Charnwood Council and North West Leicestershire Councils. Rutland is expected to then come under a Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Mayor.
Savings and cost: This proposal, the Councils assert, would save £43 million a year.
Number of Councillors: Around eighty Councillors overall envisioned under this proposal.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 418,000. The South Unitary of the rest of Leicestershire would serve 401,000 residents, and the City Authority 373,000.
Single Leicestershire (and Rutland) Model with Separate Leicester City Unitary Model
Submitted by Leicester City’s Mayor.
This one-unitary model covers the whole of Leicestershire and Rutland under one Council. Separately, Leicester City would expand its boundaries (including into the Harborough Villages) and be its own unitary authority. Rutland is expected to then come under a Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Mayor.
Savings and cost: This proposal, according to the Mayor, would save around £34 million a year and cost £22 million to deliver.
Number of Councillors: Fewer Councillors, but no calculation is provided.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 578,620.
Leicester and Leicestershire Unitary Model
Submitted by Leicestershire County Council.
A two-unitary model for Leicestershire and Leicester which does not formally suggest Rutland is merged into this model. However, Rutland receives over 60 mentions in the proposal and it is likely envisaged that Government would force Rutland to join this Council as it has said it will not allow ‘orphan’ councils.
All of Leicestershire would come under one unitary authority, and separately a City of Leicester unitary on its current (not expanded) boundaries. Rutland is expected to then come under a Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Mayor.
Savings and cost: This proposal, according to the Council, would save £30 million a year and cost around £17 million to implement.
Number of Councillors: 110 County councillors.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 734,015 if based on Leicestershire's current population (plus Rutland's population).
PROPOSALS FOR STAMFORD AND SOUTH KESTEVEN
North Kesteven, South Kesteven, South Holland and Rutland Model
Submitted by South Kesteven and North Kesteven District Councils.
This proposal puts forward a three-unitary model for Lincolnshire, which sees Rutland join together with South Kesteven, North Kesteven and South Holland.
Rutland County Council has since the proposal was submitted, agreed to share data with the other Councils so this model can be further developed.
This proposal aligns with the existing Local Enterprise Partnership, existing economy and Parliamentary constituencies. However, it crosses health and police authorities.
Savings and cost: Annual savings have yet to be confirmed but they are expected according to the proposals to be in the tens of millions.
Number of Councillors: 60-95 Councillors overall envisioned under this proposal.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 405,000.
Two Unitary Model on Existing Boundaries
Submitted by Lincolnshire County Council.
This two-unitary proposal for Lincolnshire would see North-East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire Councils come together to form a single northern authority, with the rest of Lincoln and Lincolnshire (including us) forming another single council. We would come under a Lincolnshire Mayor.
Savings and cost: This proposal would, according to the Council, save £250 million in ten years and cost £27 million to deliver.
Number of Councillors: No steer on Councillor numbers.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 770,000. There would be 330,000 residents in the Northern Authority - this doesn't meet the Government’s population threshold of 380,000 or ideally 500,000.
Two Unitary Model with Median Boundary between North and South Lincolnshire
Submitted by Lincolnshire County Council.
A two-unitary proposal for Lincolnshire, which for our area sees a new Council merging the areas currently served by Lincoln City, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, and Boston and Holland Councils. The second authority in Lincolnshire would combine areas currently served by North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, West Lindsey and East Lindsey. All authorities would come under a Lincolnshire Mayor.
This proposal crosses health and police authorities.
Savings and cost: This proposal would, according to the Council, save £246 million in ten years and cost £42 million to deliver.
Number of Councillors: No steer on Councillor numbers.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 564,000. The Northern Authority would serve 531,000.
Expanded Lincoln City Model
Submitted by Lincoln’s Mayor and Lincoln City Council.
This proposal puts forward a three-unitary model for Lincolnshire, which would see an expanded Lincoln City Council, then separately all Southern Lincolnshire Councils would come together as a Council, and a North Lincolnshire Council would merge the current two Northern Lincolnshire Councils. All authorities would come under a Lincolnshire Mayor.
Savings and cost: The costs and savings for this model have not been provided.
Number of Councillors: No steer on Councillor numbers.
Population size: 207,000 residents would be served by the City, which is far below the Government’s population thresholds. Population size is unknown for the other two areas.
PROPOSALS FOR HARBOROUGH
Leicestershire South Model
Submitted by seven Leicestershire District Councils and Rutland County Council.
A three-unitary model for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area. Harborough District communities would join together with Blaby, Hinckley & Bosworth and Oadby & Wigston district areas in a new Council. This proposal would be under a Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Mayor.
The City of Leicester’s boundaries would remain as they currently are.
Savings and cost: This proposal would, according to the Council, save £43 million a year.
Number of Councillors: Fewer Councillors.
Population size: This would see Harborough residents in a Council serving a population of 401,000 residents. The North Unitary would serve 418,000 residents and the City Authority 373,000.
Single Leicestershire (and Rutland) Unitary Model with Separate City Council
Submitted by Leicester City’s Mayor.
This one-unitary model covers the whole of Leicestershire and Rutland under one Council. Separately, Leicester City would expand its boundaries (including into the Harborough Villages) and be its own unitary authority. Rutland is expected to then come under a Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Mayor.
Under this model, if you live in Thurnby, Bushby, Scraptoft or Stoughton you would no longer be served by a Leicestershire (rural) Authority. The Mayor is proposing that these four areas come under the control of the City going forward.
Savings and cost: This proposal, according to the Mayor, would save around £34 million a year and cost £22 million to deliver.
Number of Councillors: Fewer Councillors, but no calculation is provided.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 578,620.
Leicester and Leicestershire Unitary Model
Submitted by Leicestershire County Council.
A two-unitary model for Leicestershire and Leicester which does not formally suggest Rutland is merged into this model. However, Rutland receives over 60 mentions in the proposal and it is likely envisaged that Government would force Rutland to join this Council as it has said it will not allow ‘orphan’ councils.
All of Leicestershire would come under one unitary authority, and separately a City of Leicester unitary on its current (not expanded) boundaries. Rutland is expected to then come under a Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Mayor.
Savings and cost: This proposal, according to the Council, would save £30 million a year and cost around £17 million to implement.
Number of Councillors: 110 County councillors.
Population size: This would see us in a Council serving a population of 734,015 if based on Leicestershire's current population (plus Rutland's population).
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