Devolution and local government reorganisation

You are invited to the next Leicestershire Business Voice lunchtime event on Thursday 19 June 2025, focusing on the theme of 'Devolution and local government reorganisation'.

At the event, we will be discussing the respective devolution proposals from the city, county and districts, and how devolution could impact businesses in Leicester and Leicestershire.

We will be joined by City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, Cllr Dan Harrison, Leader of Leicestershire County Council and Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and speaking on behalf of the Leaders of the Leicestershire District and Borough Councils.

Sir Peter Soulsby

Peter was elected as Leicester’s first City Mayor in 2011 and has served in that role ever since, having been re-elected in 2015, 2019 and 2023. He was previously Leader of the Council for 17 years in the 1980s and 1990s, and Member of Parliament for Leicester South from 2005 to 2011. Since becoming City Mayor, Peter has led the delivery of the Connecting Leicester programme, investing in walking and cycling infrastructure, developing quality public realms including Jubilee Square and Green Dragon Square, and also transforming the waterside to attract regeneration developments such as Pioneer Park, Great Central Square and Space Park Leicester.

Cllr Pip Allnatt

Pip Allnatt, at 75, has experience in the private, public and charitable sectors, in the UK and globally. This has included co-ordinating developments of major IT and global communications systems; developing and training users of financial systems. He has run a small retail business and worked in farming at the sharp end.

Pip has an equally long experience of local government as an elected councillor and has taught on the subject. Currently as Leader of the Council he is actively working on inward investment projects for Melton Borough, and additionally represents the 7 district and borough councils of Leicestershire, and Rutland County Council on their collaborative response to the requirements of Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

Cllr Dan Harrison

Dan Harrison was elected as the leader of the County Council at the Annual Meeting following the elections in May 2025. He was first elected to the County Council in 2017 to represent the Ibstock and Appleby Division and now represents the Ashby de la Zouch electoral division, in the North West Leicestershire district.

Dan has lots of experience at the Council, where he is now commencing his third term of office. He has previously served on several Council Committees, including the Scrutiny Commission, Environment and Transport, and the Development and Regulatory Control Board. Dan served as the Chairman of the County Council for the 2021-22 civic year.

He is now a retired businessman, having almost 50 years’ experience in local politics, being elected as a district councillor in 1976 and was a former parliamentary candidate in West Bromwich West, where his opponent was former Speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd. Dan has committed his administration to deliver the best service outcomes for residents and to govern for all the people of Leicestershire.

The event will be held from 12-2pm at Friars Mill, Bath Lane, Leicester LE3 5BJ. It is free to LBV members and £25 for non-members/guests (plus Eventbrite fee).

A light lunch will be provided.

Please note: there is no on-site parking at Friars Mill. Please plan your travel to the event at Choose How You Move or check car parking in Leicester.