Councils step up push for Leicester regional mayor

Local authority leaders from across Leicestershire and Rutland have urged the government to set up a mayoral authority for the region.

A letter to Secretary of State Louise Haigh signed by leaders of the ten local authorities that make up the area says that a mayoral strategic authority would offer the “strongest platform” for leadership, economic growth and investment.

The potential mayoral authority would be made up of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, an area which includes around 1.2m residents.

The move comes in the wake of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s announcements on enhanced devolution across England, a move he says will “rewire the state” and decentralise power away from Whitehall towards established regional mayoral authorities.

During a visit to the East Midlands last month, Burnham said he wanted to see “all parts of the country, Leicestershire included” operating with devolved powers, after the area’s three Labour MP’s wrote to council bosses to urge them to get together on a devolution deal.

“The future of local jobs, business investment, skills and public services in this country will increasingly be shaped at a local level, ” said Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West.

“Leicester and Leicestershire should be leading that conversation, not watching from the sidelines,” she added.

In 2022, councils in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derby and Derbyshire struck a devolution deal with government to create the East Midlands Combined County Authority, creating an East Midlands mayoral body which did not include the Leicestershire region.

Two years after its formal commencement in 2024, the East Midlands authority, or EMCCA for short, was granted established mayoral authority status last month – placing it in the top tier of regional mayoral administrations.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said the “ship had sailed” on the possibility of Leicestershire and Rutland joining the combined authority last month, leaving the three councils pondering the way forward as a standalone mayoral authority.

Leader of Charnwood Borough Council and a signatory of the letter to government, Cllr Jewel Miah, said the establishment of a mayoral body for Leicestershire and Rutland would give the region a “stronger voice” – and secure extra funding and powers.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure greater local influence over decisions that affect our economy and future prosperity,” he said.

“An elected mayor could help unlock funding for transport and skills, strengthen links between employers and education providers, and support the creation of better-paid jobs.”

The council leaders have asked for a response from the government in time for their next leaders’ meeting, which takes place later this month.