England's smallest county, Rutland, is set to be wiped off the map under the biggest government shake-up in 50 years. Rutland County Council will be abolished and replaced by a larger local authority stretching around Leicester, as ministers redraw council boundaries affecting 15 million people across England.
Government targets larger councils
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said: 'We need to devolve power out of Whitehall so that we can rebalance wealth, power and opportunity right across this country.' The government has set a target for councils to serve around 500,000 residents. Rutland, home to approximately 41,000 people, falls well below this threshold.
Campaigners fight to save Rutland
Campaigners say they want to protect Rutland's centuries-old identity. Conservative MP Alicia Kearns said residents 'never chose to join'. More than 7,000 people have signed a 'Save Rutland' petition. Ms Kearns warned: 'Unless the Government acts, Rutland will lose its ceremonial county status. The signs will come down and an identity that has endured for centuries will be erased at the stroke of a bureaucrat's pen.'
Wider reforms
Some 134 districts are set to be abolished and replaced by new authorities providing all services in the area. Rutland was its own county for years before it became part of Leicestershire in 1974. Following a public campaign, it became a unitary authority in 1995.
