Leicestershire Council Reorganisation Decision Withdrawn by Government

Local government review update means services continue as normal, with further decisions pending for the region.

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Generic image of a British town hall building with a clock tower.

The government has withdrawn its decision to create two new unitary councils for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland, meaning council services will continue as normal.

The government announced today an update on its review of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) decisions across the country. While some areas will see progress, Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland have been informed that the government has withdrawn its July 2026 decision to establish two new unitary councils by April 2028.
The government has reiterated its commitment to the LGR process and indicated that further decisions will be announced in due course. This update means that council services will operate as usual, and residents, businesses, and community groups are not required to take any action. Further details will be provided as they become available.
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"Today's announcement is welcome news for Blaby District’s communities. The government has recognised that there are still important questions to be answered and has decided to revisit its previous decision."

Councillor Ben Taylor · Leader of Blaby District Council
Councillor Ben Taylor, Leader of Blaby District Council, stated that while this is a positive step, it also prolongs a period of uncertainty for councils, residents, and staff. He expressed a hope that the government will use this time to carefully consider the evidence and listen to local communities, leading to a fresh assessment of what is best for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland.
Local council elections, including for Blaby District Council, are still scheduled to take place on 6 May 2027. Councillor Taylor emphasised that council services will continue as normal throughout this process.
Based on information from the official source: Blaby District Council (29/10/2026)