The Cabinet of North West Leicestershire District Council met on Tuesday 28 July 2026 to discuss a range of important issues including the provisional financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year, updates on local government reorganisation, and the procurement of new recycling containers. Key decisions were made regarding the approval of financial reports, the establishment of voluntary joint committees for local government reorganisation, and the adoption of new waste and recycling policies.

Local Government Reorganisation Update

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of the Council, presented an update on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process. The Cabinet noted the government's decision to establish two unitary authorities for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland: one for an expanded Leicester City, and another for the county areas and Rutland. The Cabinet delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to respond to the government's decision and to nominate representatives for voluntary joint committees. These committees will be established to plan the transition to the new authorities, which are expected to formally take effect in April 2028. The Council has set aside £2 million to support the transitional work required for LGR.

General Fund Finance Update - 2025/26 Provisional Outturn

Councillor Keith Merrie MBE, Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder, presented the provisional outturn for the General Fund for the 2025/26 financial year. The Council reported a saving of £1.15 million, an increase from the previously forecast saving of £0.496 million. This surplus will be transferred to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) reserve, strengthening the Council's financial resilience. The Cabinet recommended to Full Council the approval of the creation of new earmarked reserves for planning application income (£179,879) and an ICT cyber assessment grant (£150,000), as well as an addition of £7.309 million to the Business Rates Reserve. The Cabinet also noted and approved the application of £0.984 million of brought-forward UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant funding to support expenditure incurred during 2025/26. The report also detailed a slippage of £150,000 on the capital programme.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Finance Update - 2025/26 Outturn

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder, presented the provisional outturn for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2025/26. The HRA reported a provisional deficit of £1.690 million, primarily due to increased expenditure in repairs and maintenance and asset impairment costs. This deficit is proposed to be funded by a transfer from HRA General Reserves, reducing unrestricted reserves from £3.263 million to £1.573 million. The Cabinet noted the HRA's financial sustainability but highlighted the need for continued focus on managing cost pressures. The Cabinet recommended to Full Council the approval of using £1.69 million of HRA General Reserves to fund the 2025/26 deficit and the acceleration of the home improvement programme, stock conditions surveys, and roofing programme, to be funded through the Major Repairs Reserve.

Housing Fleet Renewal – Award of Contracts

Councillor Andrew Woodman also presented a report on the renewal of the Housing Fleet. The Cabinet approved the procurement of contracts for a replacement Housing Repairs fleet, detailed in Annex A, within the identified financial limits. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director responsible for Housing, in consultation with the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder and the Section 151 Officer, to award the contract to the chosen supplier. The fleet renewal programme aims to replace 58 vehicles, with an EV-first, mixed-fuel approach being adopted due to operational and infrastructure constraints. Leasing was identified as the best value for money option, offering lower whole-life costs and greater flexibility, particularly in light of potential local government reorganisation. Maintenance will remain in-house under a formal Service Level Agreement.

Acquisitions and Disposals - Section 106 Acquisition

Councillor Andrew Woodman presented a proposal to acquire twenty-two properties in the Ashby-de-la-Zouch area over three years. The Cabinet endorsed the addition of £3.7 million to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Capital Programme, funded from Right to Buy Receipts, and recommended this expenditure to Full Council for approval. Subject to this approval, the Council will enter into a single contract with Bloor Homes to acquire the properties. These properties will include a mix of maisonettes, houses, and bungalows, all expected to have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B due to in-roof solar panels. The acquisition is intended to help mitigate the loss of stock through Right to Buy and meet the district's housing needs.

Water Management in the Coalville Strategic Growth Area – Recommendations of the Community Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Tony Saffell, Planning Portfolio Holder, presented the recommendations from the Community Scrutiny Committee's Task and Finish Group on water management in the Coalville Strategic Growth Area. The Cabinet thanked the Task and Finish Group for their work and agreed to the proposed actions for each recommendation. Key actions include requesting Severn Trent Water (STW) to review its approach to planning applications and to implement interim mitigation measures to reduce pollution. The Cabinet also agreed to support political representations to the local MP regarding the enactment of Schedule 3 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, which would enable SuDS Approval Bodies to be designated. Furthermore, the Council's Communications Team will engage with STW to reinforce public messaging on appropriate sewer use.

New Recycling Containers Project Update

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Community, Environment and Climate Change Portfolio Holder, provided an update on the new recycling containers project. The Cabinet considered comments from the Community Scrutiny Committee and commented on the progress made towards rolling out the new system, scheduled to begin in November 2026. The Cabinet approved the rationale for Phase One of the rollout, which will initially cover 12,500 households in the Wednesday collection zone. They also agreed on the preferred proposal for bin lid colours: orange for plastics, cans, tins, foil, and aerosols, and blue for card and paper. The Waste and Recycling Collections Service Statement was adopted, with the caveat that officers will apply the policy with appropriate discretion and in accordance with individual household circumstances. The report highlighted that the Council currently has the highest recycling rate in Leicestershire at 43.5% and aims to achieve 60% by 2028.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The Cabinet resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting to consider exempt information relating to the Customer Services Telephony Contact Centre Solution Contract.

Customer Services Telephony Contact Centre Solution Contract

Following the exclusion of the press and public, the Cabinet considered the report on the Customer Services Telephony Contact Centre Solution Contract. The specific details of the decision made during this part of the meeting are not publicly available due to the exempt nature of the information discussed.