The question of whether Rutland's council should merge with neighbours at Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Melton will be on the agenda of a special meeting taking place next week. 

There have been heated discussions, and a series of public statements issued over the past few weeks, as the local authorities across Leicestershire and Rutland have tried to grapple with the local government reorganisation that is being dictated by central government. 

By the end of the decade the existing structure will almost certainly have been re-devised, and the options being put forward by the majority of councils in the area is the preference of three councils, while Leicestershire County Council wants one council to cover the whole of Leicestershire and to exclude Rutland. 

Rutland's councillors will meet on Tuesday, March 11, after the full council voted last month that all elected local politicians should have a say. As this is an executive decision, the leader Gale Waller (Lib Dem) could have made the decision alone. 

The councils have until March 21 to submit their plans to government, but Rutland County Council has now said: "The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has advised councils that March is primarily a checkpoint to get assurance that councils are working together to develop proposals in line with the Government's criteria. March interim plans won't be set in stone and can describe more than one potential proposal for an area, if there is more than one option under consideration." 

The preferred option so far from Rutland would see an authority to serve North Leicestershire and Rutland created. This would serve an area currently covered by Charnwood, North West Leicestershire and Melton district and borough councils, and Rutland County Council. 



Councillor Gale Waller, chair of Rutland County Council (Photo: Rutland County Council)

Cllr Waller said: "A lot has happened in a few short weeks and the devolution process is continuing to move at pace because of the timescales set by national government. Despite this, we remain at an early stage and the development of an interim plan for March 21 does not commit us to anything. 

 "Working with the district and borough councils in Leicestershire and taking account of the criteria set out by government, we've considered things like population size, how people work, live and commute, economic and commercial opportunities and the local job and skills markets. Based on this, the option for unitary authorities in the north and south, and the city, seems to offer the best balance. However, it's still only one option. 

 "Although nothing is set in stone, we'd like to know what our residents, businesses and local partners think at this early stage. This is why we're seeking feedback from people via our website, where you can read more about what's happening and share your views.  

"More comprehensive public engagement will follow this summer to help develop final proposals that must be submitted by 28 November 2025. Government will also carry out a consultation on any final proposal, so there will be lots of opportunity for people to get involved." 

The meeting will be held at the RCC's Catmose Offices in Oakham on Tuesday, March 11, and will be streamed online via the website.