County Councillor for Gartree
Devolution White Paper
The Government published its White Paper on Devolution in December 2024.
One of the proposals will effect local councils, not parish councils, by changing two tier areas to single authorities i.e. just one local council. Responsibilities of county council and all seven district councils (including Harborough) would be brought together into a new unitary council. Leicester City and Rutland are already unitary councils.
Although meetings have been held with leaders and chief executives of all local councils, it seems to have come as a surprise to some. The acting leader of the county council did as requested and wrote to a government minister asking if the county council elections for this May could be postponed (not cancelled) for a year. This delay would enable detailed discussions and meetings, as well as public consultations, to prepare a possible way forward.
What benefits would this mean to residents? The county council finances are very challenging, so potential savings would be made by removing senior management for seven districts. Some functions are already confusing, so these could be sorted. These include district councils being responsible for cleaning streets, but the county, as Highways Authority, mending them. Districts collect household waste bins and manage fly-tipping, but county disposes of the contents and runs the tips.
The county council was involved in similar discussions years ago. However, it all ended when the city mayor didn’t agree to a single mayor for the whole of Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. It would have meant him having to stand down.
If the government minister agrees to the county council elections being postponed for a year, then details can start being discussed. However, if the elections are not postponed, then the work still needs to be done, as creating single tier authorities is a key proposal in the White Paper.
New Website to Pair Residents with Carers
A website designed to match residents with people who can help support them has been launched.
Leicestershire County Council has created the handy online tool to help people continue to live independently at home.
Both those with care and support needs, and people working as ‘personal assistants’ (PAs), are encouraged to sign up.
Councillor Christine Radford, cabinet member for adults and communities, said “Personal assistants play a vital role. They support people to live fulfilling and safe lives in their own home and local community but as individuals’ requirements vary, it can be difficult to find the right person.
“We’ve worked with people who are providing care and those looking for assistance to create the website (leicestershire.panoticeboard.org.uk). It’s great to see it up and running and I’d encourage people to visit the site and register.”
County Council Budget Update
A multi-million-pound investment in supporting vulnerable people, fixing pot holes and tackling flooding, and a 4.99 per cent Council Tax rise, are set out in fresh budget proposals published by Leicestershire County Council.
It earmarks around £100m more to support vulnerable children and adults and £12m extra to fix potholes and roads.
Following the devastating floods last month, it’s now proposed to use £1m from reserves to help communities clean up and become more flood-ready.
The cabinet will consider the updated proposals on Friday 7 February. This is before the budget is discussed at a full county council meeting on Wednesday 19 February.
50 Year School Reunion
