The Executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 23 September 2026 to consider a new strategy for the council's future, a policy on landlord property safety, and a cyber security strategy.

Future Ready Council Strategy 2026-2028

A key item on the agenda is the proposed endorsement of the Future Ready Council Strategy 2026-28. This strategy aims to outline how Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council will remain forward-looking, resilient, financially sustainable, and customer-focused during a period of significant change, including Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and public sector reform. The strategy supports the council's Corporate Plan 2024-2028, focusing on improving outcomes within the themes of People, Places, and Prosperity. It is built around a vision for an agile, preventative, and engaging council that drives economic regeneration and sustainable growth, using innovation to improve outcomes and support its people and communities. The strategy is underpinned by corporate values of being Positive, Ambitious, Collaborative, and Customer-focused, and principles such as people-centred change, prevention first, and place-based working. Six priorities are proposed: People and Culture; Readiness for Local Government Reorganisation; Early Intervention and Prevention; Service Innovation; Maximising Opportunities for Our People and Communities; and Enabling Place-Based Prosperity. The report notes that the work on this strategy will be completed using existing resources and has no direct legal implications. It also highlights that the strategy will help the council play an active role in influencing the development of future unitary arrangements and will provide a legacy for the authority.

Housing Services - Landlord Property Safety and Compliance Policy

The Executive is also scheduled to consider the introduction of a new Landlord Property Safety and Compliance Policy. This policy aims to demonstrate how the council will support the delivery of the Safety and Quality Consumer Standard and how tenant feedback has shaped its development. The council has a statutory responsibility to ensure all its Housing Revenue Account (HRA) owned homes are safe, secure, and free from hazards. The policy establishes a clear framework for compliance, outlining how risks are identified, assessed, and managed, and how assurance is provided to tenants, councillors, and the Regulator of Social Housing. It reflects a proactive, preventative approach, recognising that compliance involves more than just meeting legal minimums. The policy has been co-produced with tenants, with a workshop held on 24 February 2026 to understand their definition of compliance and safety, capture their experiences, and identify communication gaps. The policy includes a clear glossary of terms, a strengthened Tenant Right to Information section, and a commitment to clear communication in plain English. It covers key compliance areas such as gas safety, electrical safety, fire safety, asbestos management, water safety, and lift safety, as well as wider risks like damp and mould. The policy supports the council's Corporate Plan by contributing to safe, good-quality homes and protecting residents from harm.

Cyber Security Strategy 2026-2028

The meeting will also consider the Cyber Security Strategy 2026-2028. The report highlights that the cyber threat landscape facing local government is increasingly complex and volatile, with councils being attractive targets for cyber criminals due to their reliance on digital systems and the sensitive data they hold. The strategy sets out a framework for managing cyber security risks across the organisation, aligning with the UK Government Cyber Security Strategy and guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It aims to ensure the council's ICT environment is robust and capable of withstanding current and future threats. The strategy is intended to provide strategic direction, embedding cyber security into governance, culture, service design, and partnership working, and is supported by an operational action plan. The council has already achieved accreditations such as PSN (Public Sector Network) Compliance and Cyber Essentials Certification, and has completed an assessment against the NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework. The strategy aims to protect essential services and safeguard personal information, build trust, strengthen cyber defences, improve cyber awareness, and focus resources where they reduce the greatest risk. It also outlines what staff, elected members, and residents can do to contribute to cyber security.