Latest in councils row

Council leader and district councils issue new statements

DICTRICT council leaders have theatened to make representations to Secretary of State for Local Government James Brokenshire if the county continues to “develop proposals for a unitary authority in isolation”.

The leaders of Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Melton, North West Leicestershire and Oadby and Wigston councils have written a joint letter to county council leader Nick Rushton.

They said they were taken by surprise when plans were unveiled for a unitary authority.

County Hall set out plans on June 29 for a shake-up that would see all of Leicestershire’s councils scrapped and an entirely new one formed.

Coun Rushton said at the time the move would be the only way the county could deal with the impact of massive government funding cuts and would save taxpayers at least £30 million a year.

Their letter was dated September 3.

In a reply, dated September 4, Coun Rushton said more than one option was being looked at by officers at County Hall – and accused the district’s leaders of working on their own proposals for reorganisation.

Both parties have expressed a will to work together on reform.

The next time the proposals are set to be discussed is in October by the county council’s cabinet.