Five district and borough councils in Leicestershire have issued a pre-action letter to the government on 21 September 2026. This is the first formal step in considering a legal challenge to the government's decision on Local Government Reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Blaby District Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Oadby and Wigston Borough Council are taking this action together.
Why act now?
Although the government's decision on Local Government Reorganisation is currently paused, the councils say they must act immediately to protect their legal position. Any delay in issuing a pre-action letter risks losing the opportunity to challenge the decision within the required legal timeframe.
Prior to taking this step, councils had sought clarity from government ministers about the status of the decision. No response was received. Requests for further information about why the government selected the chosen option have also been declined.
What the councils oppose
The councils recognise significant public concern about the government's preferred option, which would expand Leicester's city boundaries and affect local rural and semi-rural communities.
The government's own consultation demonstrated strong opposition to the expansion. Only 7% of respondents expressed a positive view of the Leicester City Council proposal.
The legal grounds
The councils' proposed legal challenge focuses on two key issues. First, whether the Secretary of State had the information needed to properly assess the proposals and determine whether the Leicester City Council option was the best solution for growth and financial sustainability. Second, whether the Secretary of State correctly followed the law in making their decision.
What happens next
The pre-action letter is the first stage in the judicial review process. Once the government responds, the authorities will consider that response carefully before deciding whether to proceed with a full legal challenge.
Councillor Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, said: "This process has already cost councils' time, effort and public money that should be focused on delivering local services. Although the decision is paused, the legal deadline remains. With ministers yet to clarify its status, and further information still being refused, a pre-action letter is needed now to protect the council's position."