Three of Leicestershire’s Conservative MPs have responded to plans to extend Leicester’s boundaries. One branded the move, which was revealed by Conservative-run Leicestershire County Council, a “city takeover”.
Another said she was “completely bemused” by the propositions which were unveiled on Thursday (January 9). Under the proposal, Leicester’s borders could be expanded into parts of the county. LeicestershireLive asked city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby where he hoped would be incorporated into the city, but he said he discussions on this were still needed and he did not “think it would be at all helpful” for him to “start laying claims” at this stage.
The move comes following a White Paper published by the Government last month setting out what councils need to do to gain new powers and potentially extra cash – a process known as devolution. To unlock the benefits, the Labour Government wants to see areas like Leicestershire which are led by two levels of authority be streamlined under the leadership of a single council.
READ MORE: Leicester’s borders could expand into the county
Harborough, Oadby and Wigston MP Neil O’Brien said there were “obvious downsides” to the plan
(Image: Google Maps)
This would effectively mean that Leicestershire’s district and borough councils would be scrapped. Rutland could also be joined to a new county authority, though this has not yet been confirmed.
However, yesterday’s announcement also revealed the intention to keep Leicester city separate. In order for Leicester City Council, which is currently facing a difficult financial situation, to stay “viable”, however, political leaders believe that it will need to expand.
Conservative MPs Neil O’Brien, Alicia Kearns and Peter Bedford all have constituencies which border the city. Each has raised concerns about the proposal.
Mr O’Brien, Harborough, Oadby and Wigston MP, branded the move a “city takeover”, saying there were “obvious downsides”. He added: “I have sometimes been critical of our local councils, but they are at least local, rather than an hour’s drive in a car, or three bus, rides away.”
Neil O’Brien Conservative MP for Harborough, Oadby & Wigston
He added the move could result in higher council tax for residents, who would then have to pay it to Leicester City Council and would be on its tariff rather than their current council rates. He raised further concerns about the homes Leicester needs to build being “dumped” onto the edges of the city rather than the council taking “decisions to regenerate the centre of the city”.
He said: “This city takeover would almost certainly mean even more development in our area. Whatever you think, I think it is pretty extraordinary that this proposal has been made to government without [Leicestershire County Council] talking to local people.”
Ms Kearns, who represents Rutland and Stamford, but has some constituents in Leicestershire, said she was “completely bemused” by the plan for Leicester to be “massively expanded to swallow up neighbouring neighbourhoods”. She too labelled this an attempt by the council to “dump” housing requirements beyond the city limits.
Ms Kearns further raised concerns about the districts and boroughs potentially being abolished and a single council being set up for all areas. There is “zero clarity for Rutland” in the announcement, she said – a sentiment that Rutland County Council itself has echoed.
Alicia Kearns MP for Rutland and Stamford
New Leicestershire MP Peter Bedford, who was elected to the newly created Mid Leicestershire constituency at July’s elections, added: “I cannot in good conscience support any moves by Government to carve out Mid Leicestershire villages, such as Glenfield, Leicester Forest East, Anstey, Birstall, and Braunstone Town, and place them within the boundaries of the city.
“Mid Leicestershire residents are county residents and I shall be vociferously campaigning to ensure that they remain so.”
However, he did say he supported the plans for a single council for Leicestershire, saying this would “create a leaner, more efficient local government structure”. He added: “Over the coming weeks I will be in regular dialogue with the county county to ensure that the case for a full unitary authority on existing boundaries is heard loud and clear.”
Peter Bedford, the Conservative MP for Mid Leicestershire
(Image: Julia Breens/Leicestershire Live)
LeicestershireLive put the three MPs’ concerns to the local branch of the Labour Party. A spokeswoman said: “This Labour government is delivering on its manifesto promise of a devolution revolution with its English Devolution White Paper.
“It is a real turning point when we will finally see communities, people and places across England begin to take back control over the things that matter to them – and a major part of our Plan for Change, that will put money back in people’s pockets. There is a clear appetite for reorganisation in Leicestershire and we will work collaboratively with local leaders.
“But we will be taking a phased approach to this – we won’t be doing this overnight – and will make sure the views of all councillors and stakeholders are seriously considered.”