As Member of Parliament for Mid Leicestershire I will always do what I believe is in the best interests of my constituents; all of whom are county residents.
For many years I have supported the idea of a full County Unitary Authority for Leicestershire, as I believe it would create a leaner, more efficient local government structure for Leicestershire residents.
I note Leicestershire County Council's statement today of a "Unitary City Council with extended boundaries, and a Unitary Council for the surrounding Leicestershire".
However, I cannot in good conscience support any moves by Government to carve out Mid Leicestershire villages such as: Glenfield, LFE, Anstey, Birstall, and Braunstone Town and place them within the boundaries of the City.
Mid Leicestershire residents are county residents and I shall be vociferously campaigning to ensure that they remain so.
Over the coming weeks I will be in regular dialogue with the County Council to ensure that the case for a full Unitary Authority on existing boundaries is heard loud and clear.
Over the weekend, many county residents have written to me about the government's plans for local government reorganisation here in Leicestershire.
I totally understand how anxious this will make residents feel, particularly in villages bordering the city.
Attached to the article is a copy of my correspondence with the County Council which sets out my own position.
Below is the letter in full:
"Dear Deborah,
Thank you for your email of 9th January in which you state, “The County Council’s preferred proposal is for a unitary City Council with extended boundaries and a unitary council for the surrounding Leicestershire.”
I recognise that the County Council’s statement, at this stage, is merely an ‘expression of interest’ and does not contain any final proposals on what the boundaries of any future Unitary Authorities would look like.
I outline my own position as follows: “As Member of Parliament for Mid Leicestershire I will always do what I believe is in the best interests of my constituents; all of whom are county residents. For many years I have supported the idea of a full County Unitary Authority for Leicestershire, as I believe it would create a leaner, more efficient local government structure for Leicestershire residents. However, I cannot in good conscience support any moves by Government to carve out Mid Leicestershire villages such as: Glenfield, LFE, Anstey, Birstall, and Braunstone Town and place them within the boundaries of the City. Mid Leicestershire residents are county residents and I shall be vociferously campaigning to ensure that they remain so.”
I am of the understanding, from speaking with colleagues from the government benches, that the 500,000- population requirement is not a ‘red line’. That Ministers acknowledge there are already existing UAs, such as in Oldham, with populations of approximately 244,000; and that the Treasury have accepted the argument for a population floor of 350,000. This being the case there is no need for any redrawing of Leicester Cities boundaries to take in parts of the county.
I would welcome ongoing dialogue with the County Council over the coming weeks, as this issue progresses, to ensure that the views of my residents are put front and foremost in any final proposals that the County Council submits to government."
