The Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council's Labour Group, Sean Sheahan, has joined the debate about the Government's proposals for Devolution and local government Reorganisation.

The Labour Government made an announcement last week which could see local authorities undergo a huge shake-up.

Leicestershire is currently governed by a county council and seven district and borough councils, which share decision-making powers between them.

The plans would "streamline" processes and save money, Ms Rayner said.

Measham councillor Sheahan said:"Whilst we are keeping an open mind on the options for change, our starting point is the question of what arrangement is going to be most effective for delivering the Government's devolution agenda."

He said he believed that the promise of devolved powers is too great an opportunity to be missed, but he did not think the current Tory-led Administration have grasped that.

Cllr Sheahan added: "They either can't or won't acknowledge the failure of successive Tory administrations to bring about real and lasting improvements in the District.

"The new Government wants economic growth that everyone can share in: skilled, well-paid jobs, affordable homes and vital infrastructure.

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"We've seen the Tory legacy in North West Leicestershire: endless warehousing, vanity projects like Marlborough Square and a decade of blight from HS2.

"Labour is actively looking at who we can work with to unlock the potential of North West Leicestershire. We will seek genuine partnerships based on mutual respect and trust."