MP Proposes Law Change to Preserve Rutland’s County Status

A Conservative Member of Parliament is advocating for a legislative amendment aimed at preserving the county status of Rutland amidst impending local government changes. Alica Kearns, MP for Rutland and Stamford, has expressed concerns that Rutland County Council could be dissolved and merged with other councils, potentially leading to the elimination of England’s smallest county.

In three years, a significant reorganisation of local government structures is anticipated, which may result in the formation of a unitary authority encompassing a larger population. To combat this possibility, Kearns has tabled an amendment to the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill. She asserts that this amendment would ensure the continuation of Rutland’s ceremonial county status, regardless of any changes to council sizes.

The proposed amendment seeks to modify the Lieutenancies Act 1997 to explicitly include Rutland as a ceremonial county with a designated Lord Lieutenant. Currently, Rutland is not mentioned in this act. Kearns has reached out to Steve Reed, Minister for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, emphasizing that while the Government has indicated a willingness to collaborate on preserving Rutland’s status, no legislative action has yet been taken.

“I have tabled this amendment as a clear legislative route to preserve Rutland’s ceremonial county status, so our identity is not stripped from us when we lose our independence because of Government reforms,” Kearns stated. “We are intensely proud of our county, community, and identity, and rightly so. I will not stop fighting until the Government has delivered the legislation needed to assure our county’s future.”

In addition to her amendment, Kearns has raised concerns regarding the lack of meaningful consultation conducted by the council with residents about the proposed merger with Leicestershire. She argues that this option does not reflect the preferences of the majority of Rutland residents. To this end, she is calling for referendums in Rutland, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire, allowing citizens to have a democratic voice in deciding how their council services are managed.

“These decisions will have impacts spanning generations, so it is only right that residents are given a democratic say,” Kearns added.

As councils prepare to submit their preferred options for reorganisation to the Government next week, the prospect of merging Rutland with councils from Lincolnshire appears to have been removed from consideration. The outcome of these developments will significantly shape the future governance and identity of Rutland County.