Rutland MP Critiques Council’s Local Government Reform Approach in Parliament

Jordan Hartwell

ago 1 hour

Rutland MP Critiques Council’s Local Government Reform Approach in Parliament

Alicia Kearns, the Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, recently criticized Rutland County Council’s approach to Local Government Reorganisation during a session in Parliament. Her statements came during the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Topical Questions.

Concerns Over Local Government Reorganisation

Kearns expressed her deep disappointment with how the Council has handled the reorganisation. She stated that Rutland Council ‘left our fate in the hands of others’ by backing a proposal that many Rutlanders have consistently opposed. This proposal, Kearns noted, has not received the support of the majority of residents.

Community Voices Ignored

Throughout the Local Government Reform process, Kearns believes that the voices of both Rutlanders and Stamfordians have been overlooked. She highlighted that the council’s cabinet appears to disregard community opinion.

Insights from Council Surveys

In a survey conducted by Rutland County Council (RCC), many residents voiced their preferences. Key statistics from the survey include:

45% of respondents mentioned support for a union with South Lincolnshire in the comments section.
Approximately one-third of respondents opposed joining with Leicestershire.
About a quarter expressed dissatisfaction with a single unitary model involving Leicestershire and Leicester.
Only 10% of participants supported the North City South model.

Request for Consultation

On January 12th, Kearns addressed the Minister for Local Government, requesting a meeting to discuss the importance of allowing local communities to participate in decisions regarding the Rutland Stamford model. She emphasized that RCC did not adequately consult residents about this matter.

Despite Kearns’ attempts to engage with Rutland County Council for a comment, there has been no response from the council. The lack of consultation and community engagement raises significant questions regarding transparency and accountability in local governance.