North West Leicestershire councillors have backed calls for a series of town and parish councils to be formed in the Coalville area.

But it was pointed out this would only happen if local residents wanted it to.

Labour councillor John Legrys, who represents the Coalville West ward, proposed the motion which was put to last week's North West Leicestershire District Council full council meeting.

The proposed council would cover wards such as Broom Leys, Bardon, Castle Rock, Coalville East, Coalville West, Greenhill, Snibston North and South - as well as Thringstone.

Currently, these areas do not have a tier of local government below town council level.

The motion said that this should be completed no later than December, 2026, so that elections to any proposed Town or Parish Councils can be held in May 2027.

Councillors voted to go ahead with the plans at the meeting.

Cllr Legrys told the council: "I've been on this council for 16 years, but a review by the Boundary Commission has never happened.

"The benefits of statutory ability to raise funds for issues, such as in Ibstock and Ashby, are obvious.

"In Coalville West, one of the issues is cutting of the grass in Coalville Park. Had there been a third tier level of council, they could have made a decision on how many times the grass is cut, what sort of plants are planted, etc.

Coalville councillor John Legrys

"That means a lot to people. We also agree the Coalville Special Expenses working group is not fit for purpose.

"Local people can't have that influence on how their money is spent. It's about local communities making local decisions."

Cllr Murrae Blair-Park seconded the motion says it will make a big impact on local communities and enables councillors to act on those wishes.

Councillors heard that issues in Thringstone have been delayed due to no parish council being in place.

Whitwick parish councillor, Cllr Peter Moult added: "Parish councillors are more in touch with local people and their needs.

"They achieve the fulfilment of many projects."

Council leader, Cllr Richard Blunt, added: "I said before the elections that Coalville Special Expenses was not fit for purpose."

Cllr Michael Wyatt said: "I would point out that not all areas want to be part of a parish council. Whatever decision is taken, it must be in the best interests of the public and not party politics."

Cllr Terri Eynon said: "We are not pre-determining the decisions that will be made during this process.

"Without time boundaries, this could drift for another 30 years. We want it all in place by the time of the next local government elections."

Cllr Nick Rushton added: "We might as well get on with it as we're a hung council, we can parish the areas that want to be parished."

Cllr Dave Bigby said: "One of the advantages of having a parish or town council is that you can have a Neighbourhood Plan.

"I feel for the areas of Coalville that don't have the power to stop green spaces being built on."

There was a unanimous vote from councillors and the motion was carried.