Leicestershire County Council leader Dan Harrison has promised to do his "absolute best" to block a city expansion in what appears to be a backtrack on his previous stance on Leicester's local government restructure.

In July, the Reform UK boss at County Hall told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he believed negotiations had "got to" be had over Leicester City Council's ambitions for a larger city boundary. Without negotiation, he said, he feared Leicester would end up taking "more" land from the county than he "would like".

However, Cllr Harrison has now said he will "not be happy to cede land" to the city and will do his "absolute best for that not to happen". Among the areas being eyed up to join the city are Glenfield, Oadby, Wigston, Blaby, Whetstone, Syston, Anstey, Leicester Forest East, Birstall, Kirby Muxloe, Thurmaston and Countesthorpe, with the city council describing this as a "sensible expansion".

Cllr Harrison has also reiterated his preference for a single Leicestershire council as the outcome of the Government's demands for areas with two-tier of local government to reduce these to one. Leicestershire is a two-tier area as Leicestershire County Council and the seven district and borough councils share responsibilities.

The reorganisation does not necessarily mean just one council for the so-called Leicestershire "doughnut" though, with the district and borough councils proposing the county be split in two on a North-South divide.

Under the county council's preferred approach, Rutland would also join with the new Leicestershire authority. Residents are now being asked for their opinions on the plan with a feedback form available on the Leicestershire County Council website until Monday, October 27. Answers will "help to shape the final plan", a council spokeswoman said.

Financial modelling carried out jointly by the city and county authorities shows the "one council" approach would save around £40 million a year, the council has said. This would be delivered through a reduction in senior officer and councillor positions, reduced back-office costs and spend on services, it added.

The county council claims the city's plan for an expanded Leicester and one county authority would "save similar amounts but incur ongoing costs of splitting up services and split the savings between city and county". Meanwhile, the districts plan to split Leicestershire in two would deliver half the ongoing savings, it added.

Cllr Harrison said: "This is the biggest shake up of local government in 50 years. It's important and it's complex and could unlock the greater prize of devolution, bringing more powers and funding for Leicestershire. We have no choice other than to make a final submission at the end of November – and we will do that.

"Based on the evidence gathered so far, the administration is proposing a single county unitary for Leicestershire and Rutland as its preferred option. We want to hear what people think."

He continued: "We need to put Leicestershire's residents first. Our focus is on securing a viable future council – with sustainable finances, joined up services, strong communities and sensible geography.

"I would not be happy to cede land to Leicester city and will do my absolute best for that not to happen. Re-drawing the map shouldn't mean destroying Leicestershire's history and identity. It's about empowering our communities and giving more power to people to take decisions locally."

Cllr Harrison added: "Given the Government's invitation to the city council to extend its boundaries, our proposal will identify the consequences for the county of an extended Leicester boundary."

While opposition councillors have previously called for any final decision on the county's reorganisation proposals to be agreed by all elected members, the authority has now said it will be the Reform UK cabinet which makes the decision over the final plan. This needs to be put to the Government by the end of November.