County Councillor for Gartree
One Council for Leicestershire
The County Council are proposing a single unitary authority for the whole county area and covering the 7 districts. Some benefits:
- Save around £30 million, every year – through fewer managers, chief executives and councillors.
- Enable savings – to be reinvested in front line services.
- Make it easier to get support – by giving residents clear and simple access to all services, whether by phone, online, or through local area committees.
- One ‘local plan’ – making sure development is in the right place and easier to secure investment from housing developers to pay for roads, schools and other vital infrastructure.
- Improve support for vulnerable people – by joining up health, social care and housing services.
- Give communities a stronger voice – local area committees would have greater influence over decision-making.
- Boost accountability – reducing confusion over who is responsible for what.
Complete the survey online at: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/onecouncil.
A counter proposal by the 7 districts is for two unitary authorities representing the north – North West Leicestershire, Charnwood, Melton and Rutland, and the south – Hinckley & Bosworth, Blaby, Oadby & Wigston and Harborough.
For either of these proposals, Leicester City would remain a unitary authority with existing boundaries. Across the country, all interim proposals for removing two-tier councils must be submitted by 21 March and, those approved, would then be worked up in more detail, including consultation, by November.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Although Leicestershire’s rights of way network of 1,915 miles has developed over hundreds of years, it is recognised that it must meet the current and future needs of the public. Every council, that is responsible for public rights of way, must have a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP).
This spring, LCC will be reviewing their ROWIP, producing a draft document which sets out a long-term vision to develop and manage the public right of way network in Leicestershire. Readers can have their say at https://surveys.leics.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=173946342747
Local Bus changes
The Centrebus 44 subsidised service (Fleckney to Foxton via Kibworths & Market Harborough) is being re-tendered with a final decision by mid-March. The Choose How You Move website held a Travel Roadshow in Kibworth Village Hall on 12 February.
Additional services are being investigated for the rural part of Gartree Division – likely not to be a timetabled service but Digital Demand Responsive Transport (DDRT) options. The service consists of accessible minibuses that would operate subject to passenger bookings via an app on their phone, or by calling a direct line. Such a service called FoxConnect is already running successfully in the Melton area.
New sports facility at Leicester Grammar School
Coronavirus journal – Living in a coronavirus pandemic
