Next year's local elections could cost taxpayers more than £70,000, even though the results may remain valid for only two years.

Rutland County Council has not yet calculated how much the May 2027 local elections will cost but due to inflation expects the bill to eclipse the £68,500 cost of the 2023 elections.

A council spokesperson said there are "unavoidable cost implications" of delivering a local election, but asserted Rutland County Council will make "every effort" to ensure next year's will be managed "as efficiently as possible".

The authority will be required by law to deliver next year's elections according to existing council boundaries, yet Rutland's political landscape could look entirely different by 2029 as a result of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

Under the scheme, Rutland County Council will likely merge with another council to form a larger new authority.

Despite recently withdrawing plans for Rutland to form a new council with Leicestershire, leaving a broadened Leicester City in the middle, the Government has said it remains "committed to the LGR process", suggesting further updates will be announced soon.

According to Westminster's timeline, "shadow" elections are scheduled for the spring of 2028 to decide who will sit on the new council. Once elected, the shadow council will begin a 12-month transition period, before formally taking power in April 2029.

The costs of local elections in Rutland have steadily increased over the last 15 years, rising from £48,586 in 2011, to £63,541 in 2019, and £68,516 in 2023.

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