Local Government Reorganisation

Saturday, 15 March 2025 10:31

As Oakham gets ready for a day of Spring shopping with a special day of events, the fight to save Rutland's ceremonial status steps up a gear.

Save Rutland banners have gone up around the county, and overnight a large one has been strung across Oakham High Street. Rutland just missed out on the protection the Isle of Wight has due to legislation being passed just before our county status returned in 1997. The Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, says they need physical signatures, so the government will look at an amendment for what's believed to be a unique case prompted by local government reorganisation.

"That's right. I mean, so for example, the Isle of Wight has a High Sheriff and it has a Lord Lieutenant and will retain that regardless of the fact that it will be made probably part of a much bigger authority. And that's what should happen to us. But it won't happen because there was this omission on the 1997 Act."

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