A large number of towns and villages currently in Leicestershire will soon be part of an expanded Leicester City authority.

It follows the news that the Labour government confirmed its plans for local government reorganisation (LGR), which will involve two council authorities forming – one in the city with expanded borders and another governing Leicestershire and Rutland.

For towns and villages outside the city, they currently use a two-tier system, where the county council manages complex services like road repairs and schools, whilst smaller district and borough authorities – like Harborough and North West Leicestershire – manage services like bin collections and parks.

Meanwhile, the city council currently works as a unitary authority and manages all services.

A large number of towns and villages currently in Leicestershire will soon be part of an expanded Leicester City authority. Photo by Leicester City Council

placeholder image — A large number of towns and villages currently in Leicestershire will soon be part of an expanded Leicester City authority. Photo by Leicester City Council

Many areas within Leicestershire won’t be affected by the boundary changes – but will eventually see their district or borough council abolished with another unitary authority in place instead.

All existing councils will eventually be abolished.

New ‘shadow elections’ are set to take place in May 2027, which will elect councillors to the new authorities, with the new councils set to be brought into force in April 2028.

The government says the changes will mean savings for taxpayers and a less confusing system of government for residents – however many MPs and politicians across Leicestershire have disagreed with the plans and even plan to launch legal action to challenge the decision.