Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2025 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

There were no urgent items for consideration.

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

No declarations were made.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which presented the Investing in Leicestershire Programme Annual Performance Report 2024-25.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 4’ is filed with these minutes.

Members of the Cabinet were pleased to note the progress made over the year and the resulting success of the investments made.

RESOLVED:

That the performance of the Investing in Leicestershire Programme for the period April 2024 to March 2025, as set out in the Annual Report, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION:

In accordance with the Cabinet’s decision in September 2017, this report fulfils the requirement to report annually on the performance of the portfolio to both the Cabinet and the Scrutiny Commission, to demonstrate that the Programme is being managed professionally and prudently and in line with the Strategy approved by Council in February 2025.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which advised of the development of the Enabling Travel Choice Strategy (ETCS), which formed part of the full Local Transport Plan 2025-2040 (LTP4), and sought approval of draft key ‘policy positions’ that were intended to form the basis of the ETCS for consultation.  The report also advised of the work undertaken to prepare three Multi-Modal Area Investment Plans (MMAIPs) pilots, which also formed part of the full LTP4.  The Cabinet’s approval was sought to undertake an initial consultation exercise to inform the development of the ETCS and the MMAIPs.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 5’, is filed with these minutes. 

A written submission had been received from the Leicestershire Footpath Association, along with comments from Mr David Page CC and Mr Phil King CC, were circulated separately and copies are filed with these minutes.

Mr. C. Whitford CC commended the proposed delivery of the Local Transport Plan and stated that this demonstrated the commitment to ensure the needs of local residents and businesses were met. He also stated that it reflected the diverse nature of Leicestershire and would help to ensure residents were connected through all forms of transport.

Mr. M. Squires CC stated that the work being undertaken through the Local Transport Plan aimed to help people live healthier lives by making it easier and safer to walk, cycle and use public transport.  It also recognised the importance of all types of transport in supporting better access to jobs, schools and healthcare.  He reiterated the intention to improve physical and mental wellbeing and ensure that transport was inclusive for all.

RESOLVED

a)    That the work undertaken to date on the development of the Enabling Travel Choice Strategy (ETCS) be noted;

b)    That the draft key ‘policy positions’ that are intended to form the fundamental basis of the ETCS (set out in paragraphs 42 to 67 of the report) be approved for consultation;

c)    That the work undertaken on the development of three pilot draft Multi-Modal Area Investment Plans (MMAIPs) for Market Harborough, Hinckley and South-East Leicestershire be noted;

d)    That an eight week initial consultation exercise be undertaken to inform the further development of the ETCS and three pilot MMAIPs;

e)    That, subject to the outcomes of the consultation exercise, the Director of Environment and Transport:

i.            following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, the Director of Corporate Resources and the Director of Law and Governance, undertakes further work to develop the ETCS, including a draft suite of policies;

ii.              following consultations with the Cabinet Lead Member, undertakes further work to develop the three draft MMAIPs;

iii.             submits further reports to the Cabinet regarding the revised draft ETCS and each pilot MMAIP.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The ETCS and the MMAIPs are being prepared as part of the Council’s f8ull LTP4.

The draft ‘key policy positions’ are fundamental to the ETCS, to ensure that the work progresses in the right direction.  Subject to the outcome of the initial consultation proposed, it is intended that these will form the basis for the ETCS.

The ETCS policy position is also important for development of the MMAIPs.  The MMAIPs are not themselves policy documents but will reflect the Council’s existing and emerging policies/strategies including the ETCS.

The proposed initial consultation exercise would inform the development of the draft ETCS and the MMAIPs.

Further work to be undertaken by officers following the initial consultation exercise will enable the production of a draft ETCS and three MMAIPs, to be submitted to a future Cabinet meeting for a second consultation exercise.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which presented a programme of flood mitigation and climate adaptation and resilience measures.  The programme would be funded using £2m previously allocated for carbon reduction initiatives.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 6’ is filed with these minutes.

Mr. A. Tilbury CC commented that measures to tackle flooding in the county were a priority for this administration and the transfer of funding would ensure that work could be undertaken. As a result of the large number of housing developments across Leicestershire, there was increased pressure on drainage; the additional funding would enable work to be carried out to improve this.

Mr. D. Harrison CC commended the Lead Member on the work he had undertaken in this area within a short time and stated that the additional funding would hopefully improve the situation further.

RESOLVED: 

a)    That the extent and impact of flooding events in Leicestershire over the last two years and the work undertaken to date by the County Council as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and the Local Highway Authority (LHA), including progress since February 2025 to support communities, be noted;

b)    That the proposed use of £2m, reallocated from the earmarked reserve for carbon reduction, towards flood related activities and adapting services to help mitigate the impacts of severe weather and to increase future resilience as set out in paragraphs 27 to 29 of the report, be approved;

c)    That the requirement for £0.64m of additional permanent resource to enable the delivery of the proposed initiatives and a continued, more resilient, business as usual resource to manage flood risk impacts, building on the previous one-off resource funding allocated in February 2025, to be put forward for prioritisation as part of the 2026-30 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) be noted and approved;

d)    That the Director of Environment and Transport, following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Lead Member and the Director of Corporate Resources, be authorised to make decisions and finalise the details of use of these funds and adjust priorities within the key focus for this funding.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION

In July 2025, the Cabinet decided to reallocate £2m from carbon reduction work to flooding mitigation initiatives and to adapting services to mitigate the impacts of severe weather events.

Recent flood events over the past two years, as outlined previously, have had a significant impact on many communities across Leicestershire and this in turn has placed substantial pressure on the resources of the County Council in its capacity as the LLFA and the LHA in trying to support those communities.

The LLFA’s and the LHA’s resource is focused on statutory requirements.  Whilst the LLFA will endeavour to do everything it can to support communities in the management of local flood risk, it should be emphasised that the LLFA is not responsible for, not is it required by law to, resolve all flooding matters.  The LLFA does not receive funding for this purpose.  Likewise, the LHA applies a risk-based approach to gulley cleansing to the best of its capabilities within the available resource levels.

Additional one-off funding for temporary resource, allocated as part of the 2025-29 MTFS, as set out in paragraphs 22 to 24 of the report, has helped to manage some of this pressure.  However, it is recognised that the higher level of demand in this area, including work as a statutory consultee in planning, projects and investigatory work, as well as work with communities, has become business as usual.  In order to sustain this work and deliver the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport which advised of the outcome of the public consultation on the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) 2025-2035 and sought approval of the Plan and associated action plan.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 7’ is filed with these minutes.

A written submission from the Leicestershire Footpath Association had been received and circulated separately and a copy is filed with these minutes.  The Director of Environment and Transport gave assurance that the sites listed by the Footpath Association would be assessed to see what work could be carried out.  However, it would not be possible for everything to be undertaken due to resources.

Mr. C. Whitford CC stated that this was a forward looking plan, which had been shaped by extensive public consultation and engagement and he thanked all who had taken part in this process. 

Mr. V. Richichi CC also welcomed the report and was pleased to note that the Plan had been developed with local communities.  He noted that there was a lack of awareness of public Rights of Way due to neglected footpaths and stiles not being replaced, but it was hoped that the RoWIP would help and the investment made in this area would assist in connecting people within and to rural areas.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the outcome of the 12 week public consultation exercise on the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) 2025-2035, including the comments of the Highways and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee, be noted;

b)    That the RoWIP 2025-2035 and its Action Plan be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Government’s statutory RoWIP guidance recommends that authorities undertake a 12 week public consultation on a draft RoWIP to allow for representations to be made.

The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires relevant authorities to assess and review a RoWIP every 10 years.  Approval of the RoWIP will also enable completion of the action ‘S12’, set out in the County Council’s Cycling and Walking Strategy (CaWS) Action Plan, to prepare a revised RoWIP be 2026.

To ensure the Action Plan remains current, effective, informative and deliverable over the 10 year period of the RoWIP.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive which advised on the progress of Melton Borough Council’s Local Plan and sought approval for the County Council to become a signatory to a Statement of Common Ground with Melton Borough Council regarding the two authorities’ ‘Duty to Cooperate’.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 8’ is filed with these minutes.

Comments had been received from Mr. A. Innes CC which were circulated separately and a copy is attached to these minutes.

The Statement of Common Ground confirmed that Melton Borough Council and the County Council had effectively cooperated ahead of the examination of the Melton Local Plan Partial Update.  It confirmed the consensus for the Melton Local Plan Partial Update period to mirror the period in the adopted Local Plan to 2036 and the Borough Council’s commitment to start a new Local Plan immediately after the adoption of the Local Plan Partial Update.

Mr. D. Harrison CC reiterated the importance of continuing to cooperate to ensure progress with the Local Plan.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council becomes a signatory to the Melton Local Plan Partial Update Statement of Common Ground.

REASON FOR DECISION

The Duty to Cooperate (DtC) is a legal duty for local planning authorities, county councils and relevant bodies to ‘engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis in any process’ including the preparation of development plan documents.  This Statement of Common Ground has been jointly produced by Melton Borough Council and the County Council to confirm that the parties have effectively and regularly cooperated to address matters associated with the production of the Melton Local Plan Partial Update.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Environment and Transport which sought approval for the County Council to become a signatory to the Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood Statement of Common Ground.  Copies of the report and supplementary report, both marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, are filed with these minutes.

The Statement of Common Ground related to the Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood and Southern Melton Mowbray Distributor Road and had been prepared jointly by the County Council, Melton Borough Council, Davidsons Developments Limited and Bloor Homes to support the Melton Local Plan Partial Update examination.

Comments had been received from Mr. A. Innes CC which had been circulated separately and a copy of which is attached to these minutes.

Members of the Cabinet agreed that the Statement of Common Ground was appropriate to ensure that work continued to develop and progress and remained within the required legal duties.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the County Council becomes a signatory to a Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood Statement of Common Ground, subject to the actions and principles set out in Part B of the report;

b)    That delegation be given to the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader, for the signing of the Statement of Common Ground to enable minor amendments to be made which accord with these principles.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The Duty to Cooperate (DtC) is a legal duty for local planning authorities, county councils and relevant bodies to ‘engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis in any process’ including the preparation of development plan documents.  This Statement of Common Ground seeks to set out the ongoing commitment of the parties towards the joint working and delivery of the Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood and Southern Melton Mowbray Distributor Road.

To enable minor amendments to be made in a timely manner which accord with the principles set out in Part B of the report, delegation to the Chief Executive following consultation with the Leader is sought.  Proposed significant change in content which does not accord with the principles would be presented to the Cabinet for consideration.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities which presented the revised Museum Access Policy 2025-2030 and Collections Development Policy 2025-2030 and provided details on the Museum Accreditation returns which had been submitted to Arts Council England.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 10’ is filed with these minutes.

Members of the Cabinet agreed that the policies were key to ensuring a good service was delivered and in assisting with the sharing of Leicestershire’s heritage. 

RESOLVED:

a)    That the Museum Access Policy 2025-2030 and Collections Development Policy 2025-2030 be approved;

b)    That, subject to Cabinet approval, the Museum Access Policy 2025-2030 and Collections Development Policy 2025-2030 be submitted to Arts Council England, as per accreditation guidelines.

REASONS FOR DECISION

The current Museum Access and Collections Development policies expire in November 2025.  The policies are a key requirement of the UK Museum Accreditation Standard.

The UK Museum Accreditation Scheme is administered by Arts Council England.  The scheme encompasses the nationally agreed standards for UK museums.  The standards ensure all museums are sustainable, focused and trusted and inspire the confidence of the public, funding organisations and governing bodies.

There were no items referred from Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

The press and public are likely to be excluded during the following item of business in accordance with Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972:

Efficiency Review - Appointment of Consultant.

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and that, in all circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information:

• Efficiency Review – Appointment of Consultant.

(Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 10.)

The Cabinet considered an exempt report of the Director of Corporate Resources which provided an update on the outcome of the procurement process to commission an external efficiency review and sought approval to award to the most advantageous tender following the completion of the evaluation process.  A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 14’ is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the outcome of the procurement process for external support to undertake an efficiency review and put arrangements in place for optional implementation support be noted;

b)    That approval be given to award to the most advantageous tender, as outlined at paragraph 27 of the report;

c)    That the Director of Corporate Resources be authorised to put in place the appropriate contractual arrangements and commence mobilisation of the efficiency review as soon as practically possible.

REASON FOR DECISION

The Council needs to continue to make progress in closing the current gap in its finances to allow a balanced budget position to be presented to the County Council for approval in February 2026 and future financial years.