COLUMN - Councillor Mike Brown - Labour leader on Melton Borough Council

There is a great deal to prepare for.

Last week, decisions were made regarding the six areas including Suffolk and Essex.

They were similar to our proposals for ‘north-city-south’ in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Our decision is expected in July followed by Parliamentary ‘Orders’ in the Autumn to enable elections in May 2027 for ‘shadow’ unitary councils.

Then a 10-month ‘transfer’ period as existing councils continue ‘business as usual’ before the new councils start work in April 2028.

Between the decision in July this year and the elections in May 2027 all existing councils are required to collaborate to prepare the ground for the new unitary authorities.

Whilst there are clear benefits in the new unitary structure which will bring major services under one organisation and achieve economies of scale, there are understandable concerns that a larger council will be more remote from the people it serves.

This in part is addressed by the proposal in the submission supported by Melton Borough Council through the creation of ‘neighbourhoods’ in the new structure, but there is a view that we could go further through the creation of a Town Council for Melton.

Town, or Parish Councils, are typically responsible for local amenities such as parks and open spaces, playgrounds and leisure facilities.

Unlike the rest of Melton Borough, which is well served by a network of Parish Councils, Melton itself does not have its own Town Council.

The Council considered this at its meeting on March 26, and agreed to continue with informal consultation that has already commenced, and then to consider the matter in more detail in September by which time we will know the decision of the government on Local Government Reorganisation and therefore the new authority we will be part of from 2028.

I support the principle of a Town Council for Melton, but believe that residents are key in shaping what it should look like.

So take the opportunity to participate in the consultation.

**The government is also considering LGR proposals for one super council covering Leicestershire and another which would see Leicester city’s boundaries significantly expanded.