Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here

Dr. D. North CC, Mr. C. Smith CC

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2026 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 Children and Family Services regarding proposed consultation on two potential models for Leicestershire school term and holiday dates for the period from autumn 2027 to summer 2032 for schools maintained by the local authority. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda item 4”, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Pugsley CC emphasised that it was not proposed to change the start of the summer holiday in early July, the traditional “Leicestershire fortnight”, and explained that the first option was to retain existing term dates, and the second was to have an earlier start of term in August to enable a two-week half-term holiday in the autumn.

RESOLVED:

a)    That  a consultation exercise be undertaken on the two proposed term date models for Leicestershire for the academic years 2027/28 to 2031/32, attached as Appendix A to the report;

b)    That the Cabinet receives a further report at its meeting on 8 September 2026 presenting the outcomes of the consultation and the recommended term date model.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Education Act 2002 places a statutory obligation on the County Council to determine the number of school days that schools under its control must open. The Council is required to determine a pattern that ensures at least 380 sessions (190 days) during each school year.

A public consultation process will seek feedback on two potential term date models to inform a recommended model for implementation.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services regarding the Leicestershire Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2026-2027 which set out the strategic priorities for the Youth Justice Service.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda item 5”, is filed with these minutes. 

Comments of the Scrutiny Commission, which had considered the Youth Justice Strategic Plan at its meeting on 22 April, were circulated separately and a copy is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Pugsley CC noted that that Plan set out a practical, joined-up, approach to help prevent reoffending and keep young people safe.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted;

b)    That the County Council at its meeting on 13 May 2026 be recommended to approve the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2026-2027.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

There is a statutory requirement in section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 for the County Council to produce a Youth Justice Plan which is linked to releasing the Youth Justice Grant from the Ministry of Justice.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the Investing in Leicestershire Programme (IiLP) Rural Estate Strategy 2026-2036 which set out the proposed future vision, ambitions and objectives for the use, management and development of the Council’s rural estate.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda item 6”, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Fowler CC thanked the Scrutiny Commission for its comments (included in the report). He noted that Leicestershire was a rural county and commented on the importance of agriculture and for the Estate to be financially sustainable.  Mr. Crook CC added his support for starter farms for new entrants to farming. 

RESOLVED:

a)    That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted;

b)    That the Investing in Leicestershire Programme Rural Estate Strategy 2026-2036 be approved;

c)    That the Director of Corporate Resources, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Resources and the IiLP Board, be authorised to approve plans for the Council’s Rural Estate, including agreeing disposals and approval of investment proposals within current delegated authority limits and budget approvals.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To enable the implementation of the Investing in Leicestershire Programme Rural Estate Strategy 2026-2036.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the new plan-making system for England and its implications for the County Council as the Minerals and Waste Planning Authority and seeking in-principle approval for the Council to work with Leicester City and Rutland County Councils to prepare a joint Minerals and Waste Local Plan (M&WLP) across the three authority areas.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda item 7”, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Harrison CC noted that the joint approach reflected the strategic nature of minerals and waste planning. In seconding the motion, Mr. Crook CC referred to concerns relating to the three Councils’ different political and strategic priorities and the challenging timetable for production of the M&WLP.

RESOLVED:

a)    That approval be given in principle for the County Council to participate with Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council to prepare a joint Minerals and Waste Local Plan for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland local authority areas, subject to:

i)        Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council, via their respective governance processes, also giving formal approval;

ii)        all three authorities agreeing appropriate governance and decision-making, resourcing, and cost-sharing arrangements for the joint plan-making;

b)    That subject to agreement of a) above, a further report be submitted to the Cabinet in autumn 2026 regarding the Plan timetable, publication of the Intention to Commence, and governance arrangements for joint plan-making.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Leicestershire County Council has a statutory function to prepare an M&WLP for the County and keep it up to date. The Government has introduced a new plan-making system which requires the County Council to start preparing a new M&WLP before the end of 2026.

As minerals and waste are strategic issues, preparing a joint plan across the larger area of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland is a sensible geography to plan for. It will also mitigate the uncertainty associated with the currently unknown boundaries of a future authority under local government reorganisation and allow for sharing of resources across the authorities participating in the joint plan. Approval in principle is sought to ensure that the Cabinet is supportive in advance of committing resources to a joint plan-making approach.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding a new government grant, the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which would run from April 2026 to March 2029, and how it would be used to support Leicestershire residents.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda item 8”, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Harrison CC noted that the CRF would provide emergency funding for food, fuel, and other essentials as well as long-term practical help. 

RESOLVED:

a)    That the delivery plan and funding allocations outlined in Part B of the report for the Crisis and Resilience Fund in Leicestershire be noted;

b)    That the Director of Public Health, Law and Governance, following consultation with the Director of Corporate Resources, be authorised

i)          to approve receipt of any future funding from the government for this grant;

ii)         to approve the CRF delivery plans, funding allocations, and monitoring and evaluation returns for submission to the Department for Work and Pensions throughout the term of the CRF.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The delivery plan will enable Leicestershire residents to receive financial support when in crisis and to receive ongoing financial resilience support from key partners. This meets the government guidance for the Fund.

The delegations to the Director will enable future funding to be received promptly leading to maximum impact with residents and for the delivery plans and monitoring and evaluation returns to be submitted in accordance with the DWP’s prescribed deadlines.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health, Law and Governance regarding dates for Council meetings for the next two municipal years.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda item 9”, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the County Council be recommended to hold meetings on the following dates during the next two municipal years:-

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

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To comply with the Local Government Act 1972 and the County Council’s Standing Orders.

There were no items referred from the Overview and Scrutiny bodies.