Alicia Kearns MP has tabled an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to ensure the continuation of Rutland's ceremonial county status, regardless of the outcome of Local Government Reorganisation. 

The change Kearns has put forward would amend the Lieutenancy Act 1997 to name Rutland as a county with a Lord Lieutenant. 

Currently, if Rutland loses its status as a unitary authority as part of Local Government Reorganisation, Rutland will lose its identity and independence as it is not referenced in the 1997 act as being a county with a Lord Lieutenant. 

Speaking about putting forward this amendment, Kearns said: 'I have tabled this amendment as a clear, legislative route to preserve Rutland's ceremonial county status, so our identity is not stripped from us when we lose our independence because of Government reforms and Rutland Council's leadership asking for us to be re-organised. 

'We are intensely proud of our county, community and identity, and rightly so. I will not stop fighting until the Government has delivered the legislation needed to assure our county's future. 

'As the Council did not conduct a meaningful consultation with residents, and are pursuing an option to merge with Leicestershire which is not the preferred option of the majority of residents, I have co-laid an amendment calling for referendums for Local Government Reform in Rutland, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire to give all residents a say over who delivers their Council services. These decisions will have impacts spanning generations, so it is only right residents are given a democratic say.' 

The government has previously stated it will work with Alicia to preserve Rutland's County Status but has, according to Kearns' team, 'so far failed to bring forward any legislation.'