Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here.

 

It was moved by Mr D Harrison and seconded by Mr Crook:

 

“That Mrs Linda Danks be elected Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

 

It was moved by Mrs Taylor and seconded by Mr Smith:

 

“That Mr Ozzy O’Shea be elected Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council”.

 

The Chairman informed members that both candidates had been duly proposed and seconded.  In accordance with Standing Order 25 a secret ballot would therefore take place.

 

The Monitoring Officer announced the results of the ballot, as follows:

 

24 votes for Mrs Linda Danks, 18 votes for Mr Ozzy O’Shea and 12 abstentions.  The motion “That Mrs Linda Danks be elected Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council” was therefore carried.

 

Mrs Danks read out and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed and signed by the Chief Executive.

 

Mrs Danks took the Chair and thanked her proposer and seconder and members of the Council for electing her.

 

The Chairman thanked Mr P Harrison for his services to the County during his period of office as Chairman.  Mr D Harrison, Mrs Taylor and Mr Mullaney each joined the Chairman in associating their Groups with the thanks to Mr PHarrison.  Mr P Harrison thanked members for their generous remarks.

 

Mrs L Danks CC (in the Chair)

 

It was moved by Mr Mullaney and seconded by Mr Bray:

 

“That Mrs Linda Broadley be elected Vice-Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

 

It was moved by Mrs Taylor and seconded by Mr Smith:

 

“That Mrs Brenda Seaton be elected Vice-Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council”.

 

The Chairman informed members that both candidates had been duly proposed and seconded.  In accordance with Standing Order 25 a secret ballot would therefore take place.

 

The Monitoring Officer announced the results of the ballot, as follows:

 

36 votes for Mrs Linda Broadley and 18 votes for Mrs Brenda Seaton.  The motion “That Mrs Linda Broadley be elected Vice-Chairman for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council” was therefore carried.

 

Mrs Broadley read out and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed and signed by the Chief Executive.

 

Mrs Broadley thanked her proposer and seconder.

 

The Chairman reported with great sadness the passing of former members of the Council, Mr Terence Howatt and Mr Geoff Welsh.

 

Mr Terence Howatt

 

Mr Howatt was a member of the County Council from 1981 to 1989, when he represented the Wigston Central electoral division and again from 1993 to 1997 when he represented the Leicester – Coleman electoral division.

 

He was Chairman of the County Council for the 1994-95 municipal year and served mainly on the Arts, Libraries and Museums Committee and the Policy and Resources Committee.

 

Mr Geoff Welsh

 

Mr Welsh was a member of the County Council from 2013 – 2023.  He represented the Blaby and Glen Parve electoral division.

 

Mr Welsh served as Liberal Democrat Spokesman on the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

I invite members to stand in silent tribute to the memory of Terence Howatt and Geoff Welsh.

 

Armed Forces Week

 

As a prelude to Armed Forces Day, there would be an Armed Forces Day Flag-Raising ceremony at the Stand Easy Memorial, on Monday 22nd June at 10.30 a.m. All Members would be invited.

 

On Saturday 27th June, together with the Lord-Lieutenant and Lord Mayor of Leicester, the Chairman would be attending the Armed Forces Day Parade in Leicester City. The parade would include service personnel, veterans, and cadets who would march through the streets of Leicester. The salute would be taken by the Commander of the Navy Ship recently affiliated with Leicester and Leicestershire, HMS Daring.

 

Following the parade there would an open-air Drum Head Service in Jubilee Square and the Chairman asked all Members, if they could, to come into the City and watch this fitting tribute to the Armed Forces and veterans

 

County Service

 

The Chairman would be hosting a County Service later in the year and all Members would receive an invitation in due course.

 

Public Apology from Mr Charles Whitford CC

 

The Chairman had been asked by the Member Conduct Panel to read out the following apology from Mr Whitford, County Councillor for Markfield, Desford and Thornton:

 

“I accept the findings of the investigation report and the Member Conduct Panel’s decision that I have breached the code of conduct on a number of counts. I accept that my behaviour fell well short of the behaviour that the Council expects of its members.

 

I want to apologise to any members of the community, and to anyone who was hurt or offended by my comments and behaviour. I recognise that words matter, and I am truly sorry for the distress that my remarks have caused. That was never my intention.

 

I will ensure that all future communications reflect the responsibility of the office I hold. I care deeply about serving everyone in our area, and I will do the work needed to rebuild trust.”

 

The Chief Executive presented the report of the Returning Officer on the election of Dr Dee North to the County Council at the by election held on 16 April 2026. 

 

The Chairman welcomed Dr North to the Council.

 

It was moved by the Chairman, seconded by Mrs Broadley and carried:

 

“That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 February 2026, copies of which have been circulated to members, be taken as read, confirmed and signed.”

 

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to make declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

 

Mrs D Taylor CC declared an other registrable interest in Agenda 10A as she held a position which was affected by the proposals.

 

 

No questions were asked under Standing Order 7(1)(2) and (5).

 

The Leader gave a position statement on the following matters:

 

·       Review of the 2025-26 Municipal Year.

·       Priorities for 2026-27.

·       Additional Investment.

·       Road Improvement.

·       Foster Care Fortnight 2026.

 

A copy of the position statement is filed with these minutes.

 

 

It was moved by Mr Pugsley, seconded by Mr D Harrison and carried unanimously:

 

“That the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2026 – 2027 be approved.”

 

It was moved by Mr Dan Harrison, seconded by Mr Crook, and carried unanimously:

 

“That Council meetings in 2026/27 and 2027/28 be held on the following dates:

 

• Wednesday 1 July 2026 
• Wednesday 23 September 2026 
• Wednesday 2 December 2026 
• Wednesday 17 February 2027 (to consider the budget) 
• Wednesday 12 May 2027 (Annual meeting)
• Wednesday 7 July 2027
• Wednesday 29 September 2027
• Wednesday 1 December 2027
• Wednesday 16 February 2028 (to consider the budget)
• Wednesday 17 May 2028 (Annual Meeting)
• Wednesday 5 July 2028
• Wednesday 27 September 2028
• Wednesday 6 December 2028.”

 

Motion 1

 

It was moved by Mr Dan Harrison, seconded by Mrs Taylor, and carried unanimously:

 

“(a)   That the proposed changes to the Constitution excluding the proposed change to Article 6.05, as set out in the Appendix to this report, be approved.”

 

Motion 2

 

It was moved by Mr Dan Harrison, seconded by Mr Mullaney and carried:

“(b)   That the proposed changes to Article 6.05 of the Constitution, as set out in the Appendix to this report, be approved.”

 

The motion was put and carried, with 35 members voting for the motion and 18 members voting against.

 

It was moved by Mr Crook and seconded by Mr Hamilton-Gray:

 

Motion 1

 

“That Mr Dan Harrison be appointed Leader of the Council for the period until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.”

 

The motion was put and carried with 25 members voting for the motion, 17 members voting against and 11 abstentions.

 

Motion 2

 

“That it be noted that the Leader proposes to appoint the members named on List ‘1’ attached to the Order Paper as members of the Cabinet.”

 

The motion was noted.

 

 

No Cabinet Support Members were appointed.

 

It was moved by Mr Hamilton-Gray, seconded by Mr Poland and carried unanimously:

 

“(a)   That the Council’s political balance following the results of the by election held on 16 April 2026 be noted;

 

(b)    That the allocation of seats on those committees subject to political balance arrangements be approved, subject to the Chief Executive being authorised to make any amendments in accordance with the wishes of the Political Groups to whom the seat in question has been allocated.”

 

Motion 1

 

It was moved by Mr Hamilton-Gray, seconded by Mr Poland and carried unanimously:

 

“That the membership of the Scrutiny Commission, Boards and Committees as set out in List ‘2’ attached to the Order Paper be approved.”

 

A copy of List ‘2’ is filed with these minutes.

 

Motion 2

 

The Chairman reported that she had received two lists naming Chairmen and Spokespersons.  In accordance with Standing Order 26, each list would be proposed and seconded and then put to the Council for decision.  Each member would have one vote only, to be cast in favour of list of nominations.

 

It was proposed by Mr Hamilton-Gray and seconded by Mr D Harrison:

 

“That the Chairmen and Spokespersons named in List ‘3A’ attached to the Order Paper be approved.”

 

It was proposed by Mr Poland and seconded by Mrs Taylor:

 

“That the Chairmen and Spokespersons named in List ‘3B’ attached to the Order Paper be approved.”

 

List ‘3A’ received 24 votes.

List ‘3B’ received 17 votes.

There were 12 abstentions.

 

The Chairman declared the appointment of those members named in List 3A’.

 

A copy of Lists ‘3A’ and ‘3B’ is filed with these minutes.

 

Motion 3

 

It was proposed by Mr Hamilton-Gray, seconded by Mr Poland and carried unanimously:

 

“That the Chief Executive be authorised to make and terminate appointments to the Commission, committees, boards and other County Council bodies (not including the Cabinet) in accordance with the wishes of the Political Groups to whom the seat in question has been allocated, subject in the case of those bodies set out in List ‘2’ to the Group giving one day’s notice to the Chief Executive of its wishes.”

 

(a)  This Council notes that:

 

1.    The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 was enacted to address the legacy of the Troubles but was subsequently found by the courts to be incompatible with Convention rights under the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly in relation to its conditional immunity provisions and restrictions on access to justice.

 

2.    In response to those judgments, Parliament has approved the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025, which removes the conditional immunity scheme from statute and lifts the statutory bar on new Troubles‑related civil claims.

 

3.    The UK Government has introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which is currently before Parliament, to repeal and replace the 2023 Act in full and to establish a reformed framework for addressing legacy matters, including new investigatory and information‑recovery arrangements.

 

4.    Ministers have indicated that the Bill will be subject to substantial amendment during its Parliamentary passage, including amendments intended to strengthen safeguards for Operation Banner veterans who engage with legacy processes.

 

(b)  This Council further believes that:

 

1.    Legal certainty and fairness are essential to maintaining public confidence in the handling of legacy issues arising from the Troubles.

 

2.    It is vital that any new legacy framework both:

o    protects the rights of victims and survivors to truth, information, and accountability, and

o    avoids the creation of renewed uncertainty, repeated investigations, or disproportionate adversarial processes for veterans and their families many decades after events occurred.

 

3.    A durable and credible approach to legacy can command public confidence only if it is rights‑compliant, proportionate, and developed with the meaningful involvement of victims’ groups, Northern Ireland political parties, and representatives of the Armed Forces community.

 

(c)  This Council therefore resolves to:

 

1.    Write to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland urging that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, as it proceeds through Parliament, delivers:

o    a balanced and rights‑compliant legacy framework,

o    clear, statutory safeguards for veterans engaging with legacy mechanisms, and

o    non‑adversarial processes that prioritise truth‑recovery and information where criminal prosecution is neither realistic nor proportionate.

 

2.    Write to the leaders of the main political parties represented in the House of Lords emphasising the importance of careful scrutiny of the Bill and its proposed amendments, particularly in relation to human rights compliance, veterans’ protections, and long‑term legal certainty.

 

3.    Reaffirm this Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, including its responsibility to support those who have served and their families.

 

It was moved by Mr Richichi and seconded by Mr Smith:

 

“(a)     This Council notes that:

 

1.     The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 was enacted to address the legacy of the Troubles but was subsequently found by the courts to be incompatible with Convention rights under the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly in relation to its conditional immunity provisions and restrictions on access to justice.

 

2.     In response to those judgments, Parliament has approved the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order 2025, which removes the conditional immunity scheme from statute and lifts the statutory bar on new Troubles‑related civil claims.

 

3.     The UK Government has introduced the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, which is currently before Parliament, to repeal and replace the 2023 Act in full and to establish a reformed framework for addressing legacy matters, including new investigatory and information‑recovery arrangements.

 

4.     Ministers have indicated that the Bill will be subject to substantial amendment during its Parliamentary passage, including amendments intended to strengthen safeguards for Operation Banner veterans who engage with legacy processes.

 

(b)  This Council further believes that:

 

1.     Legal certainty and fairness are essential to maintaining public confidence in the handling of legacy issues arising from the Troubles.

 

2.     It is vital that any new legacy framework both:

o   protects the rights of victims and survivors to truth, information, and accountability, and

o   avoids the creation of renewed uncertainty, repeated investigations, or disproportionate adversarial processes for veterans and their families many decades after events occurred.

 

3.     A durable and credible approach to legacy can command public confidence only if it is rights‑compliant, proportionate, and developed with the meaningful involvement of victims’ groups, Northern Ireland political parties, and representatives of the Armed Forces community.

 

(c)   This Council therefore resolves to:

 

1.     Write to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland urging that the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill, as it proceeds through Parliament, delivers:

o   a balanced and rights‑compliant legacy framework,

o   clear, statutory safeguards for veterans engaging with legacy mechanisms, and

o   non‑adversarial processes that prioritise truth‑recovery and information where criminal prosecution is neither realistic nor proportionate.

 

2.     Write to the leaders of the main political parties represented in the House of Lords emphasising the importance of careful scrutiny of the Bill and its proposed amendments, particularly in relation to human rights compliance, veterans’ protections, and long‑term legal certainty.

 

3.     Reaffirm this Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, including its responsibility to support those who have served and their families.”

 

On the motion being put and before the vote was taken, five members rose asking that a named vote be recorded.

 

The vote was recorded as follows:

 

For the motion:

 

Mr Abbott, Mr Bailey, Dr Bloxham, Mr Boam, Mr Bools, Mrs Bottomley, Mr Bradshaw, Mrs Broadley, Mr Cooke, Mr Crook, Mrs Danks, Mr England, Mr Fowler, Mr Galton, Ms Gray, Mr Grimley, Mr Hamilton-Gray, Mr Dan Harrison, Mr Paul Harrison, Dr Hill, Mr King, Mrs Knight, Mr Lovegrove, Mr McDonald, Mr Melen, Mr Morris, Mr Mullaney, Dr North, Mr O’Shea, Mr Page, Mrs Page, Ms Pendlebury, Mr Piper, Mr Poland, Mr Pugsley, Mr Richichi, Mr Robinson, Mr Rudkin, Mr Smith Mr Squires, Mrs Taylor, Mr Walker, Mr Whitford.

 

The motion was carried with 43 members voting for the motion.  There were no votes against the motion.

 

(a)  This Council notes that:

 

1.    Arriva’s Service 12 has operated along Church Lane, Whitwick since August 2025 as part of its commercial bus network.

 

2.    While the service provides connectivity and is used by a number of passengers, some local residents have raised concerns regarding the operation of the service along Church Lane.

 

3.    The Council has previously engaged with residents and the operator in relation to the routing and operation of the service.

 

(b)  This Council believes that it is appropriate, where residents have raised ongoing concerns, for the Council to keep matters under review and ensure that engagement with the bus operator remains constructive and informed by evidence.

 

(c)  This Council resolves to request the Director of Environment and Transport to provide a written report to the Growth, Highways, Transport and Waste Overview and Scrutiny Committee within six months, setting out:

·         Engagement undertaken with the bus operator in relation to the operation of Service 12 on Church Lane;

·         A review of the operation of the service, including consideration of relevant factors such as safety, punctuality and passenger usage; and

·         Any observations or recommendations arising from that review, within the Council’s powers.

 

It was moved by Mr Boam and seconded by Mr Richichi that:

 

“(a)     This Council notes that:

 

1.     Arriva’s Service 12 has operated along Church Lane, Whitwick since August 2025 as part of its commercial bus network.

 

2.     While the service provides connectivity and is used by a number of passengers, some local residents have raised concerns regarding the operation of the service along Church Lane.

 

3.     The Council has previously engaged with residents and the operator in relation to the routing and operation of the service.

 

(b)     This Council believes that it is appropriate, where residents have raised ongoing concerns, for the Council to keep matters under review and ensure that engagement with the bus operator remains constructive and informed by evidence.

 

(c)      This Council resolves to request the Director of Environment and Transport to provide a written report to the Growth, Highways, Transport and Waste Overview and Scrutiny Committee within six months, setting out:

·        Engagement undertaken with the bus operator in relation to the operation of Service 12 on Church Lane;

·        A review of the operation of the service, including consideration of relevant factors such as safety, punctuality and passenger usage; and

·        Any observations or recommendations arising from that review, within the Council’s powers.”

 

The motion was put and carried, with 19 members voting for the motion and no members voting against the motion.  There were 20 abstentions.