The Cabinet of Leicestershire Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including safeguarding reports, financial strategy, local government reorganisation, and various council programmes and plans. Key decisions included the approval of the Leicestershire SEND Reform Plan in principle, the adoption of new school term dates, and the reprocurement of drug and alcohol treatment services.

Safeguarding Children and Adults

The meeting received the draft yearly report for the Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children's Partnership for 2025/26. The report highlighted significant work on child sexual abuse, with progress reflected in a joint targeted area inspection. Changes to subgroup structures were noted to have positively impacted quality assurance and scrutiny. The partnership also addressed national learning from reviews and inspections, with a focus on neglect and harm outside the home. The report also presented the draft annual report for the Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Adults Board for 2025/26, detailing work on equality, diversity, and inclusion, timeliness and proportionality, and the impact of learning from safeguarding reviews.

Financial Strategy and Capital Programme

The Cabinet received an update on the Council's financial position, noting a projected £4.8 million underspend for the current financial year, which reduces the requirement for reserves to balance the in-year budget. However, significant financial challenges lie ahead, particularly concerning the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit, which is forecast to rise substantially. The Cabinet approved proposed changes to the capital programme, increasing the four-year budget to £600 million due to new grants and Section 106 funding, while also noting a reduced funding shortfall of £57 million. The report also detailed the performance of the Investing in Leicestershire Programme, which generated £8.6 million in net income during 2025-2026, supporting council services.

Local Government Reorganisation and Legal Challenges

The Cabinet was updated on the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Following the government's decision to proceed with a two-unitary authority model, the Council is seeking clear written confirmation from the Ministry regarding the status of the existing decision and the basis for any future decisions. The Council's legal position is being reserved, and if satisfactory clarification is not received within seven days, the Chief Executive is authorised to send a pre-action protocol letter.

Service Delivery and Planning

School Term Dates: The Cabinet approved a revised model for Leicestershire school term dates from autumn 2027 to summer 2032. The model retains a one-week October half-term, moving the break to the third week of October, and maintains the traditional early July finish to the school year, known as the Leicestershire fortnight. This decision followed a public consultation where over 8,000 responses were received, with a narrow preference for retaining the one-week October half-term.

SEND Reform Plan: The Cabinet approved in principle the national SEND reform policy direction and Leicestershire's draft reform plan. This three-year programme aims to create a more inclusive, confident, and financially sustainable SEND system for children and young people aged 0-25. The plan focuses on early intervention, local provision, and strengthening multi-agency working. Approval of the plan is a prerequisite for accessing significant national grant funding, including support for the historic high-needs deficit.

Carers Strategy: The Cabinet approved the final Leicestershire Carers Strategy 2026-2030. This strategy, developed through extensive consultation with carers, aims to ensure carers are recognised, valued, and supported. Key priorities include improving information and advice, supporting carers' wellbeing, and enabling them to continue caring. The strategy also addresses the specific needs of working carers, parent carers, and young carers.

Extra Care Services Procurement: The Cabinet noted the action taken by the Chief Executive to approve the procurement of contracts for Extra Care Services. This decision was made urgently due to one provider serving notice on their contract, necessitating a swift procurement process to ensure continuity of care. New services will be in place from November 2026.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services: The Cabinet approved the direct award of a contract for substance misuse treatment services, utilising flexibilities available under the NHS Health Care Services Provider Selection Regime Regulations 2023. This decision was based on the current provider's strong performance, successful outcomes, and good value for money when benchmarked against comparator authorities.

Local Plans: The Cabinet considered and approved the County Council's proposed responses to the Regulation 19 Local Plan consultations for North West Leicestershire District Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. The County Council supports the spatial strategies of both plans in principle but has raised specific comments regarding transport evidence, infrastructure delivery, and the need for robust funding mechanisms, including the consideration of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Corporate Asset Management Plan: The Cabinet noted the performance against the Corporate Asset Management Plan for 2025-26. While overall performance indicators showed a mixed picture, with 52% achieved, there were positive developments in areas such as capital receipts and environmental performance, with energy use down 11%. The report highlighted pressures from construction inflation and maintenance liabilities.

Corporate Complaints and Compliments: The Cabinet noted the Corporate Complaints and Compliments Annual Report for 2025-2026. The report indicated a modest increase in Stage 1 complaints, with volumes remaining below the 2023-24 level. Complaints were concentrated in Special Educational Needs Assessment and Transport, and Highway Repair and Maintenance. While Stage 1 responsiveness within the maximum timescale was maintained, responsiveness within shorter targets decreased. Stage 2 complaints increased significantly, particularly within Children and Family Services, and response times declined. The report also highlighted an increase in compliments received, a 63% rise on the previous year.

Safeguarding Children's Partnership

The Cabinet received the draft yearly report for the Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children's Partnership for 2025/26. The report highlighted significant work on child sexual abuse, with progress reflected in a joint targeted area inspection. Changes to subgroup structures were noted to have positively impacted quality assurance and scrutiny. The partnership also addressed national learning from reviews and inspections, with a focus on neglect and harm outside the home. The report also presented the draft annual report for the Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Adults Board for 2025/26, detailing work on equality, diversity, and inclusion, timeliness and proportionality, and the impact of learning from safeguarding reviews.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Cabinet was updated on the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. Following the government's decision to proceed with a two-unitary authority model, the Council is seeking clear written confirmation from the Ministry regarding the status of the existing decision and the basis for any future decisions. The Council's legal position is being reserved, and if satisfactory clarification is not received within seven days, the Chief Executive is authorised to send a pre-action protocol letter.

Financial Strategy and Capital Programme

The Cabinet received an update on the Council's financial position, noting a projected £4.8 million underspend for the current financial year, which reduces the requirement for reserves to balance the in-year budget. However, significant financial challenges lie ahead, particularly concerning the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit, which is forecast to rise substantially. The Cabinet approved proposed changes to the capital programme, increasing the four-year budget to £600 million due to new grants and Section 106 funding, while also noting a reduced funding shortfall of £57 million. The report also detailed the performance of the Investing in Leicestershire Programme, which generated £8.6 million in net income during 2025-2026, supporting council services.

Service Delivery and Planning

School Term Dates: The Cabinet approved a revised model for Leicestershire school term dates from autumn 2027 to summer 2032. The model retains a one-week October half-term, moving the break to the third week of October, and maintains the traditional early July finish to the school year, known as the Leicestershire fortnight. This decision followed a public consultation where over 8,000 responses were received, with a narrow preference for retaining the one-week October half-term.

SEND Reform Plan: The Cabinet approved in principle the national SEND reform policy direction and Leicestershire's draft reform plan. This three-year programme aims to create a more inclusive, confident, and financially sustainable SEND system for children and young people aged 0-25. The plan focuses on early intervention, local provision, and strengthening multi-agency working. Approval of the plan is a prerequisite for accessing significant national grant funding, including support for the historic high-needs deficit.

Carers Strategy: The Cabinet approved the final Leicestershire Carers Strategy 2026-2030. This strategy, developed through extensive consultation with carers, aims to ensure carers are recognised, valued, and supported. Key priorities include improving information and advice, supporting carers' wellbeing, and enabling them to continue caring. The strategy also addresses the specific needs of working carers, parent carers, and young carers.

Extra Care Services Procurement: The Cabinet noted the action taken by the Chief Executive to approve the procurement of contracts for Extra Care Services. This decision was made urgently due to one provider serving notice on their contract, necessitating a swift procurement process to ensure continuity of care. New services will be in place from November 2026.

Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Services: The Cabinet approved the direct award of a contract for substance misuse treatment services, utilising flexibilities available under the NHS Health Care Services (Provider Select Regime) Regulations 2023. This decision was based on the current provider's strong performance, successful outcomes, and good value for money when benchmarked against comparator authorities.

Local Plans: The Cabinet considered and approved the County Council's proposed responses to the Regulation 19 Local Plan consultations for North West Leicestershire District Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. The County Council supports the spatial strategies of both plans in principle but has raised specific comments regarding transport evidence, infrastructure delivery, and the need for robust funding mechanisms, including the consideration of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Corporate Asset Management Plan: The Cabinet noted the performance against the Corporate Asset Management Plan for 2025-26. While overall performance indicators showed a mixed picture, with 52% achieved, there were positive developments in areas such as capital receipts and environmental performance, with energy use down 11%. The report highlighted pressures from construction inflation and maintenance liabilities.

Corporate Complaints and Compliments: The Cabinet noted the Corporate Complaints and Compliments Annual Report for 2025-2026. The report indicated a modest increase in Stage 1 complaints, with volumes remaining below the 2023-24 level. Complaints were concentrated in Special Educational Needs Assessment and Transport, and Highway Repair and Maintenance. While Stage 1 responsiveness within the maximum timescale was maintained, responsiveness within shorter targets decreased. Stage 2 complaints increased significantly, particularly within Children and Family Services, and response times declined. The report also highlighted an increase in compliments received, a 63% rise on the previous year.