Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if she will publish the business case supporting the Government's plans for Local Government reorganisation in Leicestershire.

In deciding which proposal, if any, to implement in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, the previous Secretary of State considered the expected costs and benefits of each proposal, the ability of each new council to be financially resilient, statutory consultation responses, representations received and all other relevant information against the published criteria for local government reorganisation. The two-unitary proposal was judged as the best outcome for the area overall and to be deliverable on a sustainable financial basis.

Reorganisation will provide clearer accountability by making one council responsible for local services in each area. New unitary councils will also be required to establish effective neighbourhood governance arrangements, so that communities continue to have a meaningful voice in local decision-making.

The Government has published the decision letter and summary of the consultation analysis on GOV.UK.