“This is not a step we take lightly": Harborough council leader reacts as judicial review filed over Leicestershire reorganisation
Harborough District Council has joined other councils across Leicester to file a protective judicial review claim against the government’s decision to reorganise councils in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Blaby District Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Oadby and Wigston Borough Council revealed in September that they had issued a pre-action letter to the government as the first formal step in considering a legal challenge to the decision on local government reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
After speaking with legal experts and ministers, all seven Leicestershire district and borough councils agreed to go ahead with filing a protective claim for judicial review.
The news comes after the government announced plans in July to create two new unitary councils for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, including an expanded Leicester boundary affecting parts of Harborough.
MPs from Leicestershire took thousands of signatures to Downing Street as part of a protest against the proposals.
Cllr Simon Whelband, leader of Harborough District Council, said: “We have been clear throughout this process that any decision of this scale must be properly evidenced, lawful and in the best interests of the communities it affects.
“We have held out for as long as the statutory timeframes allow us to give every opportunity for the government to withdraw the decision. Not only have they failed to do so, but as yet, they have still failed to give any clarity to local government on what a pause to the LGR programme really means.
“Having sought legal advice, and in view of the current pause on a decision for local government reorganisation, we are pressing forward with filing the protective claim to ensure we remain within the statutory timeframe for doing so.
“This is not a step we take lightly. However, the Government’s decision would have significant implications for Harborough and for communities across Leicestershire, and we have a responsibility to protect our legal position and stand up for the residents, businesses and partners who have raised serious concerns.”
The councils’ claim argues that the government’s decision was not made in accordance with the law and without proper consultation. It also argues the government did not properly consider the impact on local people or the costs involved..