This week in Leicestershire:

Council Faces Legal Challenge Over Local Government Reorganisation

Leicestershire County Council has taken the significant step of lodging protective judicial review proceedings concerning the Secretary of State's decision on local government reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The Cabinet met on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, to discuss this urgent matter.

The council's Chief Executive, Jane Moore, authorised the claim to be lodged with the Administrative Court to preserve the council's legal position. This action was taken after the government announced a review of the reorganisation programme but did not withdraw the original decision. The Cabinet agreed that these proceedings should continue and be served on the Secretary of State, with an application to stay the proceedings pending the outcome of the Government's review. The council will seek to recover its reasonable costs from the Secretary of State.

This move highlights the high stakes involved in local government reorganisation, which can profoundly impact the services residents rely on, the communities they identify with, and the way local decisions are made. The council's action underscores a commitment to ensuring that decisions affecting the county are properly reasoned, evidenced, and capable of standing up to scrutiny.

• Link to Meeting: Cabinet

Pension Fund Administration and Communication Strategies Under Review

The Local Pension Board met on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, to discuss crucial aspects of the Leicestershire Pension Fund's administration and communication. Key topics included the challenges of increasing employer onboarding, the need for additional resources, and proposed changes to Additional Voluntary Contribution (AVC) investment choices.

The Board reviewed proposed changes to the Fund's Administration and Communication Strategies, aiming to clarify employer responsibilities and enhance communication channels. Ian Howe, Pensions Manager, highlighted that while many administrative areas function well, the increasing number of employers and payroll changes present the largest current challenge. Concerns were raised by employer representatives about staff stress and the adequacy of current call handling times, suggesting a need for more staff. Councillor Andrew Innes described the employer situation as a sticky situation and questioned accountability.

The Board also discussed the Pension Fund's budget monitoring, investment management expenses, and staffing costs. A report on AVCs detailed a proposed change to investment choices, replacing the existing With Profits Fund with PruFund for new AVC payers. The Board noted the report and was invited to make comments to the Pension Committee.

Risk management and internal controls were also on the agenda, with updates to the Fund's risk register. A new risk related to Local Government Reorganisation was added, reflecting potential administrative and legal burdens. The Board noted the updates and the progress in implementing governance reforms.

• Link to Meeting: Local Pension Board

Transport Strategy and Funding Models Approved to Enhance Connectivity

Leicestershire County Council's Cabinet met on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, to approve several key transport initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and securing future investment.

The Enabling Travel Choice Strategy, part of the Local Transport Plan 2025-2040, was approved. This strategy will guide transport and planning decisions to improve access to services, facilities, employment, and education for existing and future communities. The Local Transport Delivery Plan was also approved for submission to the Department for Transport, outlining how consolidated transport funding will be used over four years to achieve progress against departmental indicators.

Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the new Midlands Connect operating and financial model and its two-year work plan. This decision ensures the continuation of a strategic 'Pan-Midlands Transport Voice' to secure future investment in road, rail, and innovation across the region. The Council's annual contribution is estimated to be approximately £42,000 per year.

The Cabinet also noted progress on the Oadby and Wigston Local Plan and the Harborough District Local Plan, with ongoing work to address transport concerns and ensure infrastructure funding.

• Link to Meeting: Cabinet

Other Matters

Post-16 Strategy Consultation Approved

The Cabinet approved the draft Post-16 Strategy for consultation on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. This strategy aims to establish a coordinated approach across education, employment, health, transport, and economic development to ensure young people are supported to live their best lives. The consultation will gather views from a wide range of stakeholders, including young people, parents, providers, and employers.

• Link to Meeting: Cabinet

Healthy Child Programme Recommissioned

The Cabinet approved the recommissioning of the 0-11 Healthy Child Programme using Direct Award Process C to the incumbent provider, Leicestershire Partnership Trust, on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. This decision ensures the continuity of a statutory public health service, maintaining delivery against national and local priorities. The evidence indicated that the current provider delivers a high-performing service at good value for money.

• Link to Meeting: Cabinet

Adults Rural Underrepresented Communities Grant Scheme Established

A new Adults Rural Underrepresented Communities Grant Scheme was approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. This scheme will provide £800,000 over four years to support VCSE groups and services in rural areas of the county where there is underrepresentation of people accessing Council services. The scheme aims to help people access support closer to home, reduce social isolation, support carers, and promote independence and wellbeing.

• Link to Meeting: Cabinet

This week in Leicestershire:

Council Approves Public Rights of Way Changes, Balancing Access with Landowner Concerns

Leicestershire County Council's Development Control and Regulatory Board met on Thursday, 8 October 2026, making decisions on two significant applications concerning public rights of way. The Board approved the addition of a restricted byway from Goadby Marwood to White Lodge Farm, but controversially refused an application to upgrade Public Footpath F18 to a bridleway in Goadby Marwood.

Goadby Marwood Footpath F18 Remains a Footpath After Board Refusal

The application to upgrade Public Footpath F18 to a bridleway in Goadby Marwood was refused by the Board, despite a recommendation from officers to approve it. The Leicestershire and Rutland Bridleways Association had presented evidence from 37 users suggesting the path had been used by horse riders for over 20 years. However, strong objections were raised by landowners, the Eaton Parish Council, and local residents. Concerns cited included the path's unsuitability for horses, potential for crop damage and soil erosion, and increased hunt activity.

Councillor Michael Charlesworth, who moved the motion to refuse, expressed doubts about the evidence of 20 years' use. The decision means the path will continue to be designated as a footpath, impacting horse riders who had hoped for expanded access.

• Link to Meeting: Development Control and Regulatory Board

New Restricted Byway Opens Access from Goadby Marwood to White Lodge Farm

In a contrasting decision, the Board approved the addition of a restricted byway to the Definitive Map, connecting Goadby Marwood to White Lodge Farm. This designation means the route can be used by the public for walking, cycling, and horse riding, but not by mechanically propelled vehicles. The application, brought forward by Eaton Parish Council, was supported by extensive historical evidence, including maps dating back to 1715, suggesting the route was a public highway.

While the landowner, Shoby Priory Agriculture Ltd, and the Trail Riders Fellowship raised objections, the officer's report concluded that historical evidence supported the route's public highway status, and any vehicular rights would likely have been extinguished under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. This decision will provide a new, protected route for recreational users, though it will not permit motorised traffic.

• Link to Meeting: Development Control and Regulatory Board

ESPO Finance Committee Reviews Audit Findings and Internal Audit Report

The ESPO Finance, Audit and Risk Committee met on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, to review the external audit of its 2025/26 financial statements and the Head of Internal Audit Service's annual report. The committee received an unmodified audit opinion from UHY Williamson Croft, indicating that the financial statements presented a true and fair view.

However, the audit did identify several areas for improvement. These included:

• Catalogue advertising income: Invoices for some suppliers were not raised before the year-end, leading to an understatement of income by £167,937.
• Trade debtors: A sample of customers revealed unmatched amounts totalling £23.6k, with an extrapolated potential variance of £91,814.
• Trade creditors: For one supplier, Total Gas & Power, payments made post-year-end totalling £5,198k were not fully matched to pre-March 2026 invoices, resulting in an extrapolated potential variance of £423,712.
• Stock Valuation: Variances in a sample of manually maintained stock control in the extension warehouse led to an extrapolated potential adjustment of £43,754.
• Stock Provision Overrides: Differences were found between the auditors' recalculations and original calculations for stock provision, arising from management overrides, with total potential variances of £64,108.

The auditors also recommended improvements in payroll documentation, rebate testing, income cut-off processes, proof of delivery evidence, and stock provision overrides. The committee endorsed management's responses to these findings.

The Head of Internal Audit Service's annual report for 2025-26 concluded that ESPO's governance, risk management, and control arrangements remained adequate and effective. The report noted strong client satisfaction with the Internal Audit Service at 100%.

• Link to Meeting: ESPO Finance, Audit and Risk Committee

This week in Leicestershire:

Police and Crime Panel Scrutinises Policing Efforts, Business Crime, and Community Cohesion

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel met on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, to review the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and his office. The meeting provided an update on various policing matters, including crime trends, community engagement, and initiatives to combat business crime. A report on community cohesion was deferred to a future meeting.

Police and Crime Commissioner's Update

Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner, presented an update on his office's activities during the first quarter of 2026/27. The report detailed engagements with local communities, efforts to hold the Chief Constable accountable, and the commissioning of services aimed at crime prevention and victim support.

Panel members raised several points. Councillor Kevin Loydall sought clarification on the duration and stability of funded projects, noting that dates often indicated when decisions were made rather than contract lengths. The PCC's office explained that contract durations vary and impact reports are typically received about 18 months after funding is allocated. Councillor Michael Rickman expressed satisfaction that previous feedback on local policing had been incorporated and inquired about the start dates for new initiatives and officer allocation to Harborough. Mr. Matthews confirmed that new initiatives would commence before Christmas and that Harborough would have at least one officer on foot patrol at any given time, with additional officers available during peak periods.

Parisha Chavda asked about increasing visible policing in the city, learning from upheld complaints, and how the force's crime reduction figures compared to other areas. Mr. Matthews acknowledged that the city generally receives more policing resources due to its nature, but the new visible policing project is specifically targeted at market towns. He confirmed that learning from complaints is an ongoing process but noted that comparing performance across different police forces can be challenging due to variations in data collection.

Councillor Andrew Woodman questioned the number of engagements undertaken by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners, suggesting that 1.3 engagements per person per week seemed low. Mr. Matthews defended his engagement record, highlighting that he undertakes the majority of these engagements himself and that visits to certain areas were avoided due to the pre-election period. He reiterated his commitment to meeting with councillors and members of the public, either in person or online.

Discussions also touched upon road safety, with Mr. Matthews noting that it is a multi-partner issue involving central government, local authorities, and the police. He confirmed that a paper on e-scooter and e-bike activity would be presented at the next meeting and that projects for young driver education had been supported, though their impact was largely anecdotal.

Councillor Claire Trewartha commended the report's narrative and data presentation but observed that the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner's statements lacked specific performance data. A straw poll among panel members revealed concerns about e-scooters and e-bikes, with several members reporting issues with pavement riding and their use in dark conditions.

• Link to Meeting: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel

Tackling Business Crime

Rupert Matthews presented a report on business crime, highlighting its underreporting due to complex national reporting systems. He stressed the importance of supporting local businesses for economic well-being and employment. The report detailed the Community Action Programme, which includes crime prevention toolkits and a Community Action Fund to support businesses. A dedicated funding pot of £100,000 had been used to purchase Body Worn Video cameras for businesses, with remaining funds distributed as grants for bespoke interventions.

Panel members raised concerns about the reporting of violence or threats of violence within shoplifting incidents. Mr. Matthews explained that this data is not categorised separately and would be time-consuming to extract. Parisha Chavda suggested that corporate businesses should be recorded at the store manager level for better support, and the panel discussed the possibility of future recording of retail crime. Peter Jones highlighted the growing issue of fraud, which was not explicitly covered in the business crime report, and asked about the PCC's efforts to prioritise this. Mr. Matthews clarified that business fraud is primarily dealt with by national bodies, though he agreed to provide a report on the role of the cyber security team and the economic crime unit.

The report also detailed Leicestershire Police's 4P retail crime delivery plan (Prevent, Protect, Prepare, Pursue). Performance was reported to be moving in a positive direction, with improvements in overall outcomes and a revised approach to tackling prolific repeat offenders. The panel expressed concerns about variations in performance across Neighbourhood Policing Areas and the effectiveness of crime prevention and victim engagement activity.

• Link to Meeting: Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel

Investment Subcommittee Meeting Cancelled

The Investment Subcommittee meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, 30 September 2026, was cancelled. No further information is available regarding the topics that were intended for discussion.

This week in Leicestershire:

Council Embraces Planning Reforms, But Community Lottery Explored for Local Good

Leicestershire County Council is adapting to new government planning reforms, aiming to streamline decision-making while also exploring the potential for a community lottery to boost local charities. The County Council met on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, to approve changes that will see more minor planning applications decided by officers. This move, driven by the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, aims to free up planning committees to focus on more significant proposals.

The revised arrangements include updated terms of reference for the Development Control and Regulatory Board, officer delegations, and the Members' Planning Code of Good Practice. The goal is to ensure compliance with national reforms that come into effect on 31 October 2026, reducing the risk of legal challenges to planning decisions. While this aims for efficiency, it means fewer planning matters will be debated by elected councillors, potentially reducing public scrutiny on a wider range of developments.

In a move to support local good causes, the council also resolved to explore the feasibility of establishing a Leicestershire Community Lottery. This initiative could provide a much-needed funding stream for charities, voluntary groups, and sports clubs facing increasing financial pressures. A feasibility study will assess the operational, legal, and financial aspects, including responsible gambling safeguards, before any decision is made.

The council also noted the Annual Report of the Corporate Governance Committee, which highlighted the council's generally adequate and effective governance and control frameworks over the past year.

• Link to Meeting: County Council

Tackling Hate Crime and Boosting Community Safety: A Renewed Strategy

Leicestershire and Rutland are strengthening their commitment to tackling hate crime with a refreshed strategy for 2026-2029. The Leicestershire and Rutland Safer Communities Strategy Board, meeting on Friday, 25 September 2026, endorsed the updated framework, which places a greater emphasis on supporting victims and survivors. The strategy will be delivered through existing partnership arrangements, with formal inclusion of Probation and Health within the LLR Strategic Hate Crime Group.

The Board also received updates on the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's (OPCC) work. While some Community Safety Partnerships (CSPs) have fully allocated their funds, others are being encouraged to spend their allocations to avoid reallocation. Community feedback gathered through 457 engagements since May 2024 highlights a strong desire for more visible policing, concerns about anti-social behaviour, and worries about young people's involvement in crime. The OPCC is responding with initiatives like increased foot patrols and support for various community projects.

Performance data for the first quarter of 2026/27 shows mixed results. While domestic crime and incidents are up, potentially due to increased reporting, domestic violence with injury has seen a slight decrease. Anti-social behaviour figures have risen, particularly personal ASB, but overall crime, violence with injury, and burglary have improved. Hate crime and racially or religiously aggravated crime have both increased compared to the previous year, a trend that requires continued vigilance and targeted intervention.

The Board also heard about the ongoing implementation of the ECINS case management system for anti-social behaviour, with efforts to resolve outstanding issues and improve data analysis. Updates on Victim First, a service supporting victims of crime, highlighted its 10th anniversary and new initiatives to improve support pathways and data utilisation. The Risk Ready Programme continues to engage communities in preparing for disruptive incidents, and efforts are underway to improve the consistency and use of Community Protection Warnings and Notices.

• Link to Meeting: Leicestershire and Rutland Safer Communities Strategy Board

Schools Face Financial Strain as SEND Overspends Mount

The financial sustainability of Leicestershire's schools and the growing deficit in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision were key concerns at the Leicestershire Schools' Forum meeting on Tuesday, 22 September 2026. The forum reviewed a report indicating a projected cumulative deficit of £26.50 million by March 2029 for maintained schools, with 57 out of 65 schools forecasting a deficit. This financial pressure, driven by factors like workforce affordability and high leadership costs, could impact the quality of education and support available to students.

More alarmingly, the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) outturn revealed a significant overspend of £30.9 million for 2025-26, primarily within the High Needs Block. This is largely attributed to a 23% surge in demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and rising placement and service costs for independent specialist providers. The cumulative DSG deficit is projected to reach £79.2 million and could continue to rise. While government support for DSG deficits is contingent on the SEND Reform plan, further actions are urgently needed to ensure financial sustainability. This situation places vulnerable children and young people with SEND at risk of not receiving the comprehensive support they require, potentially impacting their educational outcomes and future prospects.

The forum also considered a revised constitution for the Leicestershire Schools' Forum, designed to provide a clearer governance structure. Updates on the Early Years budget confirmed that Leicestershire County Council met the minimum pass-through rate for this funding.

• Link to Meeting: Leicestershire Schools' Forum