Purpose

Added 05 October 2026

Decision

That Cabinet: 

1)     Noted the update on legal action being contemplated by other Leicestershire Authorities and consider whether Melton Borough Council should join the other councils in issuing Judicial Review proceedings. 

2)     Delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to commence and join as a formal party in any Judicial Review proceedings to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision of 16 July 2026 on implementation of local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and take any consequent actions in relation to that claim in light of the Government’s current pause in the implementation programme. 

3)     Noted that while initial resource requirements will be modest and shared with other councils, the maximum potential financial exposure could be significant and therefore to request that Cabinet is kept updated as matters progress and considers its ongoing position at key stages.