District Leader raises Devo during County LGR debate

Devolution was set out as the basis to proceed with LGR in a debate about the future of councils in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR).

Leicestershire County Council held an extraordinary meeting to discuss its response to the Government’s decision to create two new unitary councils serving LLR. 

Councillors spent three hours debating the plans after a motion was put forward condemning the proposal. 

The motion was passed by 45 votes to one, with councillors agreeing to seek legal advice and calling on Government to “go back to the drawing board”. 

The elected member for Loughborough East, Councillor Jewel Miah, was the only county councillor to oppose the motion - with Devolution forming part of his argument.  

Speaking during the meeting, Cllr Miah - who is also the Leader of Charnwood Borough Council - said: “Devolution is very important for us.

"Businesses, universities and colleges in Leicestershire and Rutland see this as the most important [issue].  

“The fact we don't have a strategic mayor puts us at great disadvantage to our neighbours in the East Midlands who already have a strategic mayor, and the powers that come with it, and the hundreds of millions of pounds of money and investment that flows.  

“The Government has made it clear they want LGR to happen first before they sign off a strategic mayor for LLR.

"This motion, if supported, would lead to a delay in LGR and that will impact and delay us getting a mayor and the hundreds of millions of pounds of investment that follows.

“The time for negotiations and talking to the Government and other authorities was before this decision was made.

"They allowed us ample time and access to officers and ministers at MHCLG. I know this firsthand and as one of the council leaders.

“There are only a few short months left until the new authorities come into power and that is where we should be spending all of our time, energy and resources.” 

An MHCLG spokesperson told BBC News: "Ultimately, reorganisation in Leicestershire will help communities by speeding up the construction of new homes and infrastructure, improving public services and boosting regional growth to put more money in people's pockets."