Government decision on Leicester boundary expansion due

The government is set to announce this week whether Leicester’s political boundary should expand to absorb surrounding towns and villages. Currently, the county, city and neighbouring Rutland are served by 10 local authorities delivering a range of public services, including education, social care, highways, waste collection, planning, housing, and leisure.However, ministers say they want to streamline local government across England by creating fewer, but larger councils with greater devolved powers.The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has been considering three options for Leicestershire’s future political map.Labour-led Leicester City Council has suggested its border should move outwards in all directions into areas currently served by neighbouring districts or boroughs.However, the proposed city expansion has proved controversial with Reform UK, Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Green politicians in the county who have argued the government is forcing unwanted and unnecessary upheaval on residents.On Monday, Labour local government and housing minister Alison McGovern told MPs the shake-up would provide stronger councils able to make quicker decisions.She said a decision would be announced this week before MPs leave parliament for their summer break. The government has rejected calls for its proposals to be put to a local referendum before a final decision is made.