Town to be asked if it wants its own council

Plans are being drawn up to establish a town council to serve Coalville.

North West Leicestershire District Council is proposing the new authority to run public services in the town, which has about 22,000 residents but does not have parish-level representation, unlike nearby Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

The district council itself is set to be dissolved as part of a government-ordered major shake-up of local government in Leicestershire, so it has said it wants to offer Coalville residents and businesses the chance to have their say on how they can help shape decisions affecting their lives.

The district council has launched a consultation on the proposed changes which runs until 7 February.

Another parish council could also be set up to serve the village of Thringstone as part of the exercise, known as a community governance review.

Nicholas Rushton, the district council's corporate portfolio holder, said town and parish councils could provide services like parks, grounds maintenance, toilets and car parking.

"Two key areas - Coalville and Thringstone - do not have a town or parish council," he said.

"With changes coming to local government across the country, now is probably a good time to consider whether adding this level of local government would be a positive step for these areas."

Existing parish level councils are also to be reviewed as part of the process.

Ashby-de-la-Zouch Town Council has requested a review of its boundaries, councillor numbers, and for the name of the parish of Ashby-de-la-Zouch to also include nearby Blackfordby.

Ibstock Parish Council is also seeking a review of its boundary.

A further consultation will take place in the summer of 2026.

The district council said any changes that came about from the review would come into force after elections in May 2027.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.