The Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council met on Thursday 23 July 2026 to discuss the government's local government reorganisation plans. The council resolved to challenge the government's decision to create two new unitary councils for Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland, arguing that the proposals would lead to increased council tax and a loss of local services.

Local Government Reorganisation

The council debated a motion concerning the government's announcement to reorganise local government in Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland, creating two new unitary councils as proposed by Leicester City Council. Councillor Stuart Bray, Leader of the Council, moved the motion, expressing his strong opposition to the plans. He stated that the reorganisation was not included in the Labour party's manifesto, meaning the government lacked a mandate for such a significant change. Councillor Bray argued that the new, larger councils would be remote and out of touch and would not reflect natural communities. He highlighted that the proposed changes would likely lead to a significant rise in council tax for residents of Hinckley & Bosworth, as the council tax would be equalised across the new, larger authority. He also criticised the decision-making process, suggesting it was a stitch-up that would benefit the failing Labour administration at Leicester and would not serve the interests of local people or council staff. The motion resolved that the Chief Executive should seek urgent talks with other councils within Leicestershire and beyond to explore grounds for challenging the government's decision and to formally notify the Prime Minister of the council's intention to do so.

Councillor LJ Mullaney seconded the motion, adding her condolences to the family of Nick Rushton, the leader of the County Council, whose death had been reported the previous day.

Honorary Alderman David Bill was invited to speak before the formal proceedings began. He spoke passionately in support of the motion, reflecting on the achievements of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council since its creation in 1974. He cited numerous examples of successful projects, including The Crescent, the Hinkley Club for young people, the cinema, and the leisure centre, as well as the council's parks, council housing, and street cleaning services. Mr. Bill also recalled a period of successful collaboration between the borough and county councils, which resulted in significant infrastructure projects such as bypasses and investment in the airport. He lamented the impact of what he described as the dead hand of bureaucracy and the government of the day on these achievements, leading to the dismantling of successful departments and the loss of local arts and cultural initiatives. He expressed concern that the current reorganisation plans would repeat past mistakes, destroying what has been built over the years. Mr. Bill also emphasised the strong sense of community and safety within the borough, attributing it to the dedication of local councillors and officers, whom he named, including Councillor Brian Walker, Councillor Bill Crooks and Councillor Joyce Crooks, former Mayor Jeff and Trish, and David Cope and Keith Lynch, who had run Hinkley Workspace and Spark and Hoe. He concluded his address by urging the council to fight on.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE MP, had previously written to council leaders on 16 July 2026, confirming his decision to proceed with the two-unitary proposal submitted by Leicester City Council. This decision would create a new Leicester Council comprising Leicester City Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, and parts of Blaby, Charnwood, and Harborough district councils. The remaining areas, including Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, and Rutland County Council, would form a Leicestershire & Rutland council. Mr. Reed stated that this option was chosen because it best addressed the underbounding of the city of Leicester, which he believed was hindering economic growth and housing delivery. He acknowledged that the changes would be complex but argued they would create more balanced authorities and improve the socio-economic distribution of demand and resources. The government also announced a £63 million capacity funding package to support the reorganisation process, with each new unitary authority receiving over £1 million in capacity funding. The implementation of these changes is planned for April 2028.