Districts prepare legal challenge to city expansion

District councils in Leicestershire have started the process of a potential legal challenge to plans to expand Leicester.

Government plans to create an enlarged unitary authority are currently paused but, on Monday, five district councils sent a pre-action letter to ministers urging them to scrap the process entirely.

The district councils, which would be abolished if reform goes ahead, are questioning whether the government has followed the correct legal process and whether its proposed outcome is the best for the future of the county.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said it was not appropriate to comment on legal proceedings.

Tory-run Blaby, Harborough and North West Leicestershire district councils have co-signed the letter, as have Liberal Democrat-run Oadby and Wigston Borough Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council.

The councils said there was significant public concern about the plans, known as local government reorganisation (LGR).

The city expansion is part of the Labour government's plan to reshape the political map of Leicestershire and Rutland by replacing 10 existing councils with two new local authorities.

The enlarged Leicester authority would absorb areas on the edge of the city currently served by neighbouring councils, and the rest of Leicestershire would be served by a single unitary council, including Rutland.

The idea has proved controversial with nearly 40,000 people signing petitions collected by Tory MPs.

Hinckley and Bosworth council leader Stuart Bray said: "We think the government is going down the wrong path with this and we are willing to look at taking this to judicial review.

"The public don't want this. It's a stitch-up done in the Labour club and so much money and time has already been used up by this."

Simon Whelband, Tory leader of Harborough District Council, said: "We have listened carefully to the concerns raised by our residents, communities and partners.

"The government's preferred option would have significant implications for Harborough and for rural communities across Leicestershire, so it is only right that we take the necessary steps to protect our legal position and ensure these proposals have been properly considered.

"Issuing a pre-action letter does not mean a legal challenge will definitely proceed, but it allows us to keep that option open while we await the government's response."

Labour mayor of Leicester Sir Peter Soulsby has backed the city expansion, claiming it will benefit the 250,000 who will become part of the new council by giving them a vote and a stake in how the city is run.

He also previously described the threats of legal action as "empty political gestures".

Labour-led Charnwood Borough Council, Tory-led Melton Borough Council and Liberal Democrat-run Rutland County Council have not signed the letter.

A spokesperson for Melton Borough Council said: "The government's chosen proposal for LGR was not what Melton Borough Council wanted, but our focus has always been on working together to deliver the best outcomes for our residents.

"We now await the outcome of the government's review and will continue to work with our neighbouring councils and partners to get the best deal for residents of Melton and Leicestershire more generally."

A Rutland County Council spokesperson added it was not party to the legal action, but had asked ministers to provide a full and detailed explanation of its decision.

The BBC has contacted the other authorities for comment.

A spokesperson for the MHCLG said: "We recognise the need to provide certainty as quickly as possible so areas have clarity over their future, and we will set out next steps as soon as possible.

"It would not be appropriate to comment on legal proceedings."

Reform UK-led Leicestershire County Council also opposes the city expansion and earlier this month, it said it was considering its own legal challenge.

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