Leader of Rutland County Council Gale Waller said, in an interview with Rutland and Stamford Sound, that she intended to make the decision on the final proposals for local government reorganisation alone. 

However, in an amendment passed at a special meeting of Rutland County Council yesterday (11 February), the Leader will now have to conduct public engagement on local government reorganisation with local people, as well as give all Rutland Councillors a vote on final proposals. 

This amendment, which was put forward by Conservative Councillor Lucy Stepheson, was seconded by the Leader of the Independent Group, Councillor Rosemary Powel.  

In a statement by local MP Alicia Kearns, she said: "I am relieved our Conservative, and independent backed, amendment was accepted by the Leader of the Council to recognise Rutlanders deserve to be heard, and that a vote for all Councillors is absolutely necessary – this cannot be the decision of one person alone. 

"As I said in my deputation to the Council, resistance is never futile in defence of your community. The council must now bring together proposals that meet the expectations of Rutland – I shall set out red-lines in days to come." 

MP for Rutland and Stamford Alicia Kearns is fighting for Rutland to keep its status as a ceremonial county (Photo: Alicia Kearns)

Earlier in the week, Kearns launched a #saveRutland petition urging the government to protect Rutland's status as a ceremonial county, regardless of the outcome of Local Government reorganisation and devolution. She will present the petition in person in Parliament at the end of March. 

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