The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that the Government proposals for Local Government Re-Organisation and Devolution risk the status of Rutland as a ceremonial county; and further declares that the earliest record of a Lord Lieutenant in Rutland is 1559 and that, regardless of the outcome of Local Government Re-Organisation, the petitioners urge the Government to ensure the protection of Rutland’s Ceremonial County status, with the continuation of Lord Lieutenants and High Sheriffs to serve as the Monarch’s representative in Rutland exclusively, thereby protecting the identity and pride of our communities in our home.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and protect Rutland’s status as a ceremonial county regardless of the outcome of Local Government Re-Organisation and Devolution.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Alicia Kearns, Official Report, 2 April 2025; Vol. 765, c. 389.]
[P003055]
Observations from the Minister for Local Government and English Devolution (Jim McMahon):
The English devolution White Paper published on 16 December set out how the Government plan to deliver on our manifesto pledge to fix the foundations of local government. This Government have been clear on our vision for simpler, more sustainable, local government structures, alongside a transfer of power out of Westminster through devolution.
There is no intention that the priorities set out in the English devolution White Paper will impact on the ceremonial counties or the important roles the high sheriffs and lord lieutenants play as the monarch’s representatives in those counties, and ceremonial counties will be retained. The Government recognise and value the work they do in relation to civic, business, social and community life in the ceremonial counties, and will ensure that the ceremonial rights and privileges of an area will be maintained after any reorganisation of local government.
Where local government re-organisation might affect ceremonial privileges, we will work with local leaders to ensure that areas retain their ceremonial rights and privileges.