Rutland residents have told the local authority they would rather merge with South Lincolnshire than Leicestershire in the impending local government shake up. 

The summer survey results captured by Rutland County Council found a preference for merging with South Lincolnshire, although residents have voiced their strong concern that the authority did not ask them outright which of the three plans on the table they prefer. 

Since February, the county council has, on government orders, been involved in talks with other local authorities about creating a larger unitary authority, with Keir Starmer's Labour government wanting councils to represent a population of around 500,000. 

The bid put forward by Rutland has been for a new authority with other councils in the North West of Leicestershire, while other councils have proposed a South Lincolnshire and Rutland bid. Rutland has also been included in a bid from the city council which would see it form a new council with all other Leicestershire councils.  



Potential plan for North City South outcome (Photo: LDRS)

The Conservatives on the current Rutland authority have voiced concern over the lack of consideration by Rutland County Council's Liberal Democrat leaders of options other than North Leicestershire for Rutland.  

Now, an independent survey commissioned by the authority has shown most Rutlanders want a new council to look eastwards towards Lincolnshire rather than northwards to Leicestershire. 

The council's cabinet will discuss the findings on Tuesday (October 14) and propose a way forward for a full council debate that will happen on November 21. The authority will submit its final option to the government the following week and the ultimate decision lies in the hands of ministers. Rutland leader Gale Waller has said she does not want the existing council to be abolished but has no say in the matter. 

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The report says: "The council's LGR survey captured mixed feedback in relation to the three interim plans that include Rutland. While all views were represented – with a degree of support and opposition for each of the proposals – results indicate a preference for merging with South Lincolnshire." 

However, the survey did not ask residents the specific question about which was their favourite option, an omission which was heavily criticised at local meetings set up across the county to discuss the changes. 

The report says: "Every meeting said – some vehemently – that residents should have been asked to state their preferred option from the three on the table, either in the survey or as a vote." 

In total 659 people filled in the survey, with the largest number of respondents from Oakham. 

A summary of responses about Rutland's future said: "Respondents expressed apprehension about the potential dilution of Rutland's identity and influence within a larger, reorganised local government structure.  

"A recurring theme was the fear that Rutland, as a small and distinct county, would lose its strong local representation and become overshadowed by larger neighbouring authorities. Many felt that decisions affecting Rutland could be made by bodies with limited understanding of its specific needs, priorities and rural context.  

"Concerns were raised about democratic accountability, with respondents questioning whether elected representatives in a reorganised system would be sufficiently local or accessible. There was a perceived risk that decision-making would become more centralised, reducing opportunities for meaningful public engagement and weakening the community's voice in shaping policies and services." 

It continued: "Of the 228 written responses which mentioned a plan, plans or preferences, just under half (100) made favourable remarks which indicated support for a merger with Lincolnshire.  

"Some of the recurring comments among respondents who expressed a preference for joining with Lincolnshire were: 'More in common with Rutland,' 'a better fit', 'culturally similar', 'closer ties', 'a rural area like Rutland', 'more aligned'. A number of respondents expressed a stronger connection to Lincolnshire due to accessing healthcare and education services there. Many of the respondents who spoke favourably about the Lincolnshire proposal felt that not enough consideration has been given to this option." 

The authority has said 'if we have access to all final proposals which include Rutland in sufficient time, we will commission an appraisal of which final proposal best serves the needs of Rutland in terms of long-term financial sustainability and delivery of high quality and sustainable public services.'