The possibilities for the future of Rutland as the biggest reorganisation in 50 years approaches was the topic of a public meeting held by the area's MP last night. 

More than 100 people turned out to the meeting held at Victoria Hall in Oakham to discuss the possibilities of local government reorganisation and devolution. 

Rutland County Council had just a few weeks to respond to a government invitation to put in a bid for devolution, which could see it replaced with a much larger unitary council, most likely with its Leicestershire neighbours. The council should find out this week whether it will be part of a fast track towards devolution. An overarching mayoral authority would then be the next step, with a possibility this could cover the Leicestershire and Rutland area. 



MP for Rutland and Stamford Alicia Kearns held the meeting to gauge what local people wanted (Photo: LDRS)

With a number of possibilities in the air, MP for Rutland and Stamford Alicia Kearns (Con) held the meeting in order to gauge public opinion and assess which way her constituents want her to represent them.  

She said she wanted to understand what the 'red lines' would be for residents, although there were still a lot of uncertainties about what was even on offer. 

She said: "It is changing day by day." 

She told the audience that the government had initially wanted new unitary councils of around 500,000 in population, however that number now could be reduced to 380,000. 

The MP said if Rutland, with its 41,000 population, joined forces with neighbouring South Kesteven District Council and Melton Borough Council then it would still be around 100,00 short of the number needed. 

There is currently not a harmonious position in the Leicestershire and Rutland region. Leicestershire County Council responded to the central government to say it would like one unitary authority, however that has been opposed by the Leicestershire district and borough councils as well as Rutland. Rutland's position is that it would agree with a strategic mayoral authority but wants to fully consider the new local government reorganisation options first. 

Mrs Kearns told the audience there was not a process in place for the government or the local council to gauge public opinion, as only at the end of the devolution process would residents get a say.  

"This does not feel like a choice – it feels like it is being imposed," she told the audience. 

She did say an option would be for the local council to fund a referendum, but at this stage it was not even clear what the question may be. 

A concern for her was about the identity of the area and whether the special character could still be kept, saying: "If they go ahead with this, will we still be Rutland?" 

She said she had spoken with numerous people within government about the issue and she was currently 'sat between legal opinions'. She said there was no certainty that Rutland as a ceremonial county could be protected. 

The audience had a variety of views on the topic, however almost all wanted the county name to remain and not be consumed into Leicestershire. 

But some were in favour of making local government changes. 

Richard Clifton said there could be benefits. 

Richard Clifton spoke about the importance of remembering the advantages of potential changes (Photo: LDRS)

He said: "This does have the potential of delivering better services. If we want better services we might have to sacrifice some of our democratic ability." 

Sinclair Rogers, of Ketton, also said that he felt that the current county council did not represent the east of the county very well and that 'there is a view that Rutland stops 200 yards east of Oakham'. 

The MP did a quick straw poll, with all saying they wanted the Rutland name to remain. Less than half wanted to push for the current status quo to remain. 

After the meeting the MP said she had found the meeting really constructive. 

She said there had been 400 people who had wanted to attend, so another meeting will be held next week. Although all places have now gone. 

The county council will also be discussing the issue at a meeting at its Catmose House headquarters in Oakham on February 11.