Rutland, England's smallest county, is set to lose its independence as Rutland County Council is abolished under sweeping local government reforms. The move ends the county's ability to govern itself and reignites fears that its cherished identity could be gradually swallowed up by larger neighbours, leaving locals furious.
Historical context
Mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086 as Roteland, little has changed in the county for 1,000 years, including its name. Home to Rutland Water, the market towns of Oakham and Uppingham, and a fiercely proud local population, its county motto is Multum in Parvo – 'Much in Little'. For many locals, it feels like history repeating itself. When Rutland was absorbed into Leicestershire during local government reforms in 1974, campaigners fought a lengthy battle to restore its independence. Their efforts eventually succeeded, with Rutland regaining unitary authority status in the 1990s. Now residents fear they may be about to lose it all over again.
Local reaction
Kate Harding Country said: 'I will continue to say I was born in Rutland, no matter what. And wear my Rutland t-shirt made in Uppingham for good measure.' Kay Evans said: '20 years we fought together to get back Rutland after it was sucked up in to Leicestershire….. please don't tell me that fight was all for nothing… As a true Rutlander born within the county boundaries, when it was Rutland, this would be devastating.'
Petition and government plans
A lobby group has launched a Save Rutland petition that has already garnered more than 7,000 signatures – not bad for a place that has a population of just 41,000 people. It is because of its size that Rutland is being considered for the axe. The government wants councils to serve around 500,000 residents, bringing about changes across England that will affect 15 million people.
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns said: '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.' Explaining how the changes will impact the county, she described 'the Mayor of Leicester's land grab' that would drag villages into the city against their will. Two other places, Stamford and South Kesteven, will be 'buried in a “Rural Lincolnshire” mega-council of some 580,000 people' stretching all the way to Skegness. She said: 'It is the same story for all of the communities I proudly represent, Leicestershire, Rutland, and Lincolnshire: cities put first, with our Market Towns, villages and rural communities treated as an afterthought.'
