Rutland's ceremonial status is not yet assured.

That's according to the MP for Rutland and Stamford Alicia Kearns (Conservatives) who said she is not convinced by the government's "warm words" on the subject.

She slammed Rutland County Council leader Gale Waller's statement on the issue as "naïve" and says she wants the government to protect Rutland's status before any reorganisation of councils in the region.

Kearns says she is in the process of tabling an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill through the House of Lords.

And she is urging parties on all sides to back the amendment which will protect Rutland and remove any need for legislation further down the line.

The MP said: "I don't want Rutland to lose its status and then have to fight to get it back. We need to make sure it is protected.

"To think this problem is solved is extremely naïve. The Government has written letters previously saying the same, and informed me in meetings that they don't want to damage our ceremonial county status, and then in the same breath, they refuse to put a plan in place.

"I met with the government minister this week and she said there is no need to legislate. 

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"The government does not have a plan and doesn't plan currently to do anything to protect the status.

"I want this sorted as soon as possible, but there is a long way to go yet, and the council leader trying to get credit for solving the problem she created, is unhelpful.

"Warm words – and no plan – are of no reassurance to Rutlanders."

In response to the criticism, Cllr Waller (Lib Dem) pointed to her full statement to cabinet on Tuesday 10 March and added: "Government has considered the mechanism it could use to preserve Rutland's ceremonial status and has confirmed it does not wish to change that status."

Cllr Waller told councillors this week that she had been "working tirelessly behind the scenes" to ensure the county's name is not consigned to history.

A shake up of local government in 2028 will mean Rutland becomes part of a larger council – with council tax rates brought into line with Leicestershire.

But the council leader told her cabinet colleagues she had received the "strongest possible commitment" from the government that Rutland's historic name would not be lost.

The meeting heard that local government minister Alison McGovern (Lab) had written to the county council to give reassurance over the county's civic status.

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In her letter, Ms McGovern said: "I can reaffirm the Government's commitment to ensuring that any local government reorganisation will not inadvertently remove or diminish Rutland's ceremonial rights or privileges.

"The Department will consider the use of existing legislative powers to ensure the continuity of Rutland's ceremonial status if necessary."

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READ MORE: Rutland to retain name and ceremonial status amid county mergers

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