The Government is consulting on major local government changes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The consultation is open until 26 March 2026 and will shape how local councils are restructured. A final Government decision is expected in summer 2026.
Having a voice in this consultation gives landlords, property investors, and housing stakeholders the opportunity to highlight practical issues they face, such as local housing demand, property standards, enforcement efficiency, and administrative costs, and to help shape future local government arrangements before the system changes.
The 3 proposals in this consultation were made by the following councils on 28 November 2025
- Leicester City Council proposed 2 unitary councils. This includes a request to split existing district council areas between the proposed new councils.
These would comprise the current areas of:
- Expanded City: Leicester, Oadby and Wigston, plus 16 parishes from Blaby, 11 whole parishes and 1 part parish from Charnwood and 7 whole parishes, plus 5 part parishes from Harborough
- Unitary Authority 2: Blaby minus 16 parishes, Charnwood minus 11 whole parishes and 1 part parish, Harborough minus 7 whole parishes and 5 part parishes, Hinckley and Bosworth, Melton, North West Leicestershire and Rutland
- Leicestershire County Council proposed 2 unitary councils.
These would comprise the current areas of:
- Leicestershire: Blaby, Charnwood, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Melton, North West Leicestershire, Oadby and Wigston, and Rutland
- Leicester City to remain unchanged
- Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, and Rutland County Council proposed 3 unitary councils.
These would comprise the current areas of:
- North: Charnwood, North West Leicestershire, Melton, Rutland
- South: Blaby, Harborough, Hinckley and Bosworth, Oadby and Wigston
- Leicester City to remain unchanged
This consultation asks questions about each proposal to help inform the assessment of the proposals.
Duration
This consultation will last for 7 weeks from 5 February 2026 to 23:59 on 26 March 2026.
Enquiries
For any enquiries about the consultation please contact: lgrconsultationresponse@communities.gov.uk.
How to respond
You may respond by completing the online survey: