We will work cross-party during local government reorganisation

Over the past two weeks the government has set out its proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. These changes are the most significant in 40 years.

For the borough of Melton this will mean that we will be governed by a new unitary council that will encompass approximately 570,000 residents.

Councillor Ronan Browne, leader of Melton Borough Council

placeholder image — Councillor Ronan Browne, leader of Melton Borough Council

However, the government has sought to expand the city boundary which will now take in parts of Charnwood, Blaby, Harborough and all of Oadby and Wigston.

This is despite over 80 per cent of the population in a survey response of over 6,500 people saying they did not want this.

Melton Borough Council's Parkside abolished - the council will be abolished in March 2028

Melton borough is not affected by the city changes but will be in a new unitary council that will circle the new Leicester city boundaries.

It will mean that Melton Borough Council will cease to exist from March 31, 2028.

In the meantime there will be elections in May 2027 for a shadow unitary council for our new area.

The leadership groups in all councils have met across the county and are considering if there is a basis for a legal challenge to the government in relation to the significant expansion of the city at a time when city council services are struggling to meet their regulatory requirements.

Decisions will be made by the councils affected in the coming months.

In the meantime I have committed that we will work with the other councils and government to work through the structural changes and to ensure that our residents are not affected during the period of transition.

Residents should not see any changes to services and we have committed to continuing to improve services such as planning, housing, support to parish councils and to ensure that capital projects, such as the Stockyard, are completed.

We will also be working with partners in the borough and county council on improvements to the town centre continuing, such as Sherard Street pavements, bus stops, car parking machine upgrades, a re-look at how we can utilise our community buildings with the voluntary sector and to ensure those who need support receive it.

I have committed to work cross-party through the process of re-organisation and this has started with all political groups having been invited to engage with the work over the next 18 months.