10th February, 2025. A virtual parliament needs to be set up, to take prime responsibility for the examining and commenting and proposing of potential changes, under the UK Government's Devolution initiatives.
The public will be invited to engage in various ways. The major council bodies will be invited to engage in various ways, for example Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council and Leicestershire's seven District and Borough Councils.
All members of the English Parliament who are responsible for areas in Leicestershire should be involved and thereby seek to support and protect the interests of their electors.
And all such members of parliament who are elected in Rutland should also be invited to join the parliament and to thereby represent their own electors and to engage Rutland County Council, as seems appropriate.
25th February, 2025. The local parliament should have some elections.
Initially they will be for key members of a virtual, or let's say an opinion-based, community. However, interested parties should start communicating with each other immediately.
The current priority of the parliament would be to address possible management reorganisations, with a view to improving public services or to saving public money. Later on, as a consequence of political devolution, it is possible that an authorised Leicestershire parliamentary body would exist, holding many powers and responsibilities which currently lie in central government.
Elections might be organised in April. A Junior Parliament could exist, for ages 14-22 perhaps. Or starting from 16, if there are some legal constraints to be followed. And a Senior Parliament would be for people of at least 16 years.
With over a million people living in Leicestershire, it seems appropriate to have many Local Parliament election constituencies and perhaps 30 is a suitable number. Roughly 36,000 people would be represented in each area.
The 30 is not completely taken out from a magician's hat. Currently in Leicestershire we have nine councils and 30 is just slightly more than 3 x 9. And ten councils, if we include Rutland County Council. So, 3 x 10 = 30 !
First Financial topic
11th February 2025. The justification given for carrying out various local changes, which are described as Devolution, is that money will be saved, by improving local government efficiency.
So this is a key topic and it is extremely important, therefore, that MPs elected for England will take a lead in facilitating the local processes. They need to protect the financial interests of their electors. They need to ensure that the changes to local government mechanisms are appropriate and that any financial changes are beneficial and fair to people.
For example, if the Oadby and Wigston Borough were to join the City, in an expanded unitary council, there would surely be no real justification for increasing the business rates and taxes of people in the (expired) borough area. Costs should fall and not rise!
In addition, any changes proposed will need to be agreed by Central Government and they need to be of appropriate clarity and quality. The County Council and the City Council, de facto, lack the necessary authority to define and make the changes unilaterally. For example, if the Leicestershire County/District/Borough structure is to be replaced with two large unitary councils, then the County Council cannot create and fund those unitary bodies. Central Government has the power.
The previous page refers to a structural model and an Economic model. For example, there is currently a defined mechanism and the associated responsibility to fund activity in Oadby and Wigston. There is a mechanism and responsibility to fund County Council activity.
Page space reserved for the presentation of various mechanisms. For example...
First Rutland topic
11th February 2025. Rutland has a small population, of a little over 40,000 residents, and a long established unitary status County Council. They could choose not to engage with Leicestershire Devolution activities.
They could claim that altering their status is not necessary. I suspect it is true!
However, the government could choose to fight them, to overrule them, to change them, etc. Rutland MPs will surely engage with their own County Council and agree on appropriate policies and activities.
I now understand that not many MPs are there! But an invitation to a virtual parliament will surely be made.
Second Rutland topic
11th February 2025. Rutland County Council might decide to discuss possibilities with the Borough of Melton. They might both decide to join a North Leicestershire unitary council. From a geographical viewpoint, at least, some discussions would seem sensible.
Third Rutland topic
11th February 2025. Rutland County Council might decide to discuss possibilities with the District of Harborough. They might both decide to join a South Leicestershire unitary council. From a geographical viewpoint, at least, some discussions would seem sensible.
Page space reserved for the presentation of various mechanisms. For example...
First Hinckley and Bosworth topic
11th February 2025. The Borough Council of Hinckley and Bosworth might decide to discuss possibilities with the District Council of North West Leicestershire. They might both decide to join a North Leicestershire unitary council. From a geographical viewpoint, at least, some discussions would seem sensible.
Second Hinckley and Bosworth topic
11th February 2025. The Borough Council of Hinckley and Bosworth might decide to discuss possibilities with the District Councils of Blaby and Harborough. They might all decide to join a South Leicestershire unitary council. From a geographical viewpoint, at least, some discussions would seem sensible.
Page space reserved for the presentation of various mechanisms. For example...
First Oadby and Wigston topic
11th February 2025. The Borough Council of Oadby and Wigston might decide to discuss possibilities with the City Council of Leicester. The Borough might decide to join an expanded Leicester unitary council. From a geographical viewpoint, at least, some discussions would seem sensible.
[ I feel there would be no significant advantage in joining with the City but this is largely a gut feeling. If money is to be saved, the City could somehow improve its own methods, without any need to expand.
If finance is in short supply for the City, and I have read that, then Central Government and local MPs have a responsibility to examine the causes.
City residents pay income tax and council tax and VAT and businesses pay rates. Where does that money go? Much goes to Central Government. They need to return a fair amount! ]
Second Oadby and Wigston topic
11th February 2025. The Borough Council of Oadby and Wigston might decide to discuss possibilities with the District Councils of Blaby and Harborough. The Borough might decide to join these districts in a South Leicestershire unitary council. From a geographical viewpoint, at least, some discussions would seem sensible.
Page space reserved for the presentation of various mechanisms. For example...
Page space reserved for the presentation of various mechanisms. For example...