The Campaign for Historic Counties has formally submitted its response to the Government’s statutory consultation on proposals for unitary local government in Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
The consultation, launched by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, seeks views on three alternative structural models for reorganisation across most of historic and geographic Leicestershire and the whole of Rutland. The consultation area also includes parts of geographic Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire, which are currently administered under the name ‘Leicestershire’.
In its submission, the Campaign makes clear that it does not take a position on the number or boundaries of any new administrative authorities. Decisions about governance structures are properly a matter for ministers and councils to determine in light of service delivery and financial considerations.
However, the Campaign stresses that administrative restructuring must not obscure or undermine historic county identities.
The historic counties — including Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire — remain the enduring geographic framework of England. They are distinct from administrative, ceremonial and statistical areas, which may change over time.
The Campaign’s response highlights the Office for National Statistics’ Index of Place Names User Guide (2024), which explicitly confirms that the historic counties continue to exist as the enduring geography of the nation and should be used as such.
Commenting on the submission, a spokesperson for the Campaign said:
“Local government boundaries may be redrawn, merged or divided, but the historic counties are not administrative conveniences — they are the permanent geography of the nation. Reorganisation must not give the impression that counties such as Leicestershire or Rutland have been abolished or altered.”
The Campaign has called on the Secretary of State to ensure that, whichever proposal is adopted:
1. Historic counties are formally recognised in implementation;
2. Council names, branding and communications do not imply the alteration or replacement of historic counties;
3. Where new administrative areas cross historic county boundaries, this is clearly acknowledged;
4. Public information distinguishes clearly between administrative authorities and historic counties.
The Campaign will continue to monitor developments closely and to advocate for the proper recognition of England’s historic counties throughout the reorganisation process.
Britain's Historic Counties 