Tony and Nick

💬 Local Government Reorganisation – What It Means for Our Area

Tony and Nick, your Green Party candidates for Glenfields, Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forests, want you to be fully informed about major changes being forced on local councils by central Government.

📜 What’s happening?

The Government has made it mandatory for all areas in England with two-tier councils (like Leicestershire’s County and District Councils) to become single-tier “unitary authorities” by 2028. These new councils will be led by an elected mayor with sweeping powers.

At first glance this might sound like a chance to simplify local government, but we believe it’s far more complex – and potentially harmful – than that.

⚠️ Why we’re concerned:

• The process has not been democratic. Some councils have already had elections cancelled to speed up the process – but elections in Leicestershire will go ahead this May, and we’re standing to give residents a voice.
• Leicestershire’s County Council proposal was rejected by Government because it was developed without consulting District Councils like Blaby.
• The County Council still wants a system that puts all power in one body, covering the whole county – a “doughnut” model with Leicester City in the centre and everything else controlled by one remote authority.
• Planning decisions will be centralised, moving decision-making even further away from the communities affected.
• The Green Party believes this will undermine local democracy, particularly the voice of smaller parties and independent councillors who currently sit on District Councils across the country.

💰 Who’s paying for this?

You are.

The cost of this reorganisation in Leicestershire is estimated at £19–26 million, and councils are being forced to dip into reserves and halt projects meant to benefit residents. That’s money meant for your services and your communities – not for propping up a flawed reorganisation.

✅ What do we support?

The District Councils – including Blaby – and Rutland have put forward a better alternative:

• Three local unitary councils: One for the north (Charnwood, Melton, NW Leics, Rutland), one for the south (including Blaby), and one for Leicester City.
• This keeps councils closer to the people they serve, ensuring decisions are made with genuine local insight.
• It also protects community identity and strengthens connections with neighbourhoods.

🗳️ Your vote matters more than ever

While the Government pushes through a national reorganisation with minimal public say, you do have a say in May.

By electing Tony and Nick as your Green Party councillors, you’ll be sending a message that local democracy matters – and that decisions should be made with residents, not imposed from above.

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✅ What Tony and Nick stand for:

• Protecting community voices during local government reorganisation
• Ensuring transparency and public involvement throughout the process
• Resisting unnecessary centralisation of power
• Championing local action on climate, housing, and transport

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📣 How you can get involved:

• Register to vote – deadline is 11th April
• Make sure you have valid photo ID to vote
• Have questions? Contact Tony and Nick
• To comment on the reorganisation, visit the Blaby District Council website and search “Local Government Reorganisation – Blaby District”

☀️ Local Action That Works: Solar Power at Blaby District Depot

While the Government pushes top-down reorganisation, here in Blaby we’re seeing what real local leadership can deliver — practical, sustainable solutions that benefit the environment and local residents.

Green Party councillor Tony is especially proud of the recent installation of 287 solar panels on the roof of Blaby District Council’s depot in Whetstone. This project is already showing how clean, local energy can power the services we all rely on.

⚡ What’s been achieved:

• 100% of the solar energy generated has been used from the outset.
• Power is used directly during the week to run the depot.
• On weekends, it charges:
  • The Council’s electric van
  • A compact electric sweeper
  • And a re-powered electric bin lorry

This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking project we want to see more of — showing how councils can lead by example and reduce emissions while saving on long-term energy costs.

💬 Tony says:

“This is what local action looks like. Real sustainability delivered in our own backyard, without waiting for permission from Westminster. We’re showing how clean energy, smart investment, and electric vehicles can work together to make our communities greener.”

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🌍 Community Energy Matters Too

Blaby District Council is also supporting residents with rising energy costs through its Big Community Energy Switch — a campaign that helps people move to 100% renewable electricity tariffs via a trusted, collective switching scheme.

• Run in partnership with iChoosr, a collective energy-switching expert
• Open to all households — the more who register, the better the deals offered
• All tariffs are from trusted suppliers and use 100% renewable electricity
• Offers support and guidance for anyone unsure how to switch

💡 Registration is open now until 28 April, and there’s no obligation to switch if the deal isn’t right for you.

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💚 What Tony and Nick stand for:

• Supporting locally-led climate solutions
• Investing in clean energy infrastructure
• Empowering councils to act decisively for their communities
• Ensuring residents share in the benefits of the energy transition

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👇 Get involved:

• Want to know more about solar, EVs or community energy? Contact Tony and Nick
• Join us in pushing for clean, locally controlled energy solutions
• Don’t forget to register to vote and bring your photo ID on polling day