The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 13 October 2026 addressed a range of significant issues, including the council's legal challenge regarding local government reorganisation, the approval of the Local Transport Plan (LTP4) and its associated strategies, and plans for investing in school places. Key decisions were made on these and other important matters, such as the recommissioning of the 0-11 Healthy Child Programme and the establishment of a grant scheme for rural communities.

Urgent Item: Local Government Reorganisation - Protective Judicial Review Proceedings

The Cabinet noted the Government Legal Department's letter of 30 September 2026, confirming that the decision of 16 July 2026 regarding local government reorganisation had not been withdrawn. The Cabinet also noted the urgent decision taken by the Chief Executive to lodge protective judicial review proceedings to preserve the council's legal position. The Cabinet agreed that these proceedings should continue and be served on the Secretary of State, with an application to stay them pending the government's review. The Chief Legal Officer and Monitoring Officer, following consultation with the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council, and having regard to up-to-date legal advice, was authorised to serve the claim and seek a stay of the proceedings, and to take such procedural, case management and settlement steps as are reasonably necessary. It was agreed that any decision to pursue the substantive judicial review challenge following the outcome of the Government's review, or to continue the proceedings beyond the protective stage, shall, where reasonably practicable, be referred to the Cabinet for determination. It was confirmed that the Council should continue to seek recovery from the Secretary of State of its reasonable and proportionate costs of preparing, lodging and serving the claim and seeking a stay.

Delivering the Local Transport Plan (LTP4) 2025-2040: Enabling Travel Choice Strategy

The Cabinet approved the final Enabling Travel Choice Strategy (ETCS) document as part of the council's Local Transport Plan (LTP4). The strategy aims to guide transport and planning decisions, improve access to services and facilities, and enable realistic travel choices for existing and future communities. The Director of Growth, Environment and Transport was authorised to undertake work to ensure the successful delivery of the ETCS in practice, including developing journey time 'ambitions', working with local planning authorities on Local Plan development and planning applications, and developing the council's own programmes and schemes.

Local Transport Delivery Plan

Approval was given to submit the Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) to the Department for Transport (DfT) by its deadline of 31 October 2026. The LTDP outlines how the council will use the government's consolidated transport funding over four years for highways maintenance, bus services, active travel, and other transport improvements. The Director of Growth, Environment and Transport was authorised to make minor adjustments to the LTDP before submission and to make changes to programmes to ensure successful delivery and compliance with DfT requirements.

Midlands Connect Transition Arrangements

The Cabinet approved the new Midlands Connect (MC) operating and financial model and its two-year work plan. The Director of Growth, Environment and Transport was authorised to undertake ongoing discussions and finalise the details of the future operating and funding models, including the council's annual contribution, which is estimated to be approximately £42,000 per year, with an additional £8,500 for an electric vehicle workstream. This decision ensures continued strategic transport planning and investment across the Midlands region.

Oadby and Wigston Local Plan 2025 to 2042 Transport Update and Statement of Common Ground on Unmet Housing Need

The Cabinet noted the work undertaken with Oadby and Wigston Borough Council (OWBC) to address transport concerns raised by the County Council regarding the Local Plan. The County Council revised its transport position on the Plan to adopt a more positive and supportive position, subject to the satisfactory conclusion of three key pieces of work with OWBC. The Cabinet also approved the County Council becoming a signatory to the Leicester and Leicestershire Authorities' Statement of Common Ground relating to unmet housing need arising from Oadby and Wigston.

Harborough District Local Plan

The Cabinet noted the outcome of the hearing session held on 12 August 2026 and the recent work undertaken by Harborough District Council (HDC) to address transport concerns. The Cabinet supported the view that the recent work undertaken by HDC has so far failed to resolve satisfactorily the County Council's transport concerns, and that matters relating to education and viability still need to be resolved. The Cabinet confirmed that the County Council's position on transport matters remains as expressed in its Regulation 19 response.

Post-16 Strategy 2027-2030

The draft Post-16 Strategy was approved for consultation. The strategy aims to establish a coordinated approach across education, employment, health, transport, and economic development to improve progression pathways and labour-market alignment. The Director of Children and Family Services was authorised to undertake consultation with children and young people, parents and carers, education and training providers, employers and other partners, with the findings to inform the final strategy.

Investing in School Places for Every Learner: Mainstream and SEND Capital Delivery

The Cabinet noted the progress in delivering the School Places Strategy 2026-2031 through an evidence-led approach to mainstream, SEND and alternative provision capital planning. The report detailed the mainstream capital programme, which aims to deliver approximately 4,890 school places by 2031, alongside the SEND and alternative provision capital delivery programme. Challenges regarding capital affordability and delivery risk were highlighted, with an estimated £39.9m shortfall in the mainstream programme. The report also noted the developing School Sustainability Programme to address financial sustainability in maintained schools and academies.

Recommissioning of the 0-11 Healthy Child Programme

Approval was given to recommission the 0-11 Healthy Child Programme using Direct Award Process C to the incumbent provider. The Director of Public Health, Communities, Law and Governance was authorised to take all necessary steps to procure the service and finalise any contractual arrangements for a 0-11 Healthy Child Programme service to commence no later than 1 April 2028.

Healthy Weight, Food and Nutrition

The Cabinet approved the commencement of a public consultation on the proposal to cease the commissioned Whole School Approach to Food programme, currently delivered through Food for Life. This proposal stems from declining participation and feedback indicating schools prefer more flexible support. The consultation will explore potential impacts, mitigations, and alternative support mechanisms, with findings to inform a future report. The Cabinet also noted the progress made in developing Leicestershire's Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight, Food and Nutrition.

Adults Rural Underrepresented Communities Grant Scheme

The establishment of the Adults Rural Underrepresented Communities Grant Scheme was approved. This new scheme will provide £800,000 over four years to support VCSE organisations in rural areas, aiming to increase access to support, reduce social isolation, better support carers, and promote independence and wellbeing. The scheme will comprise a Connections Fund for asset-based community development and a Grant Fund for existing groups.

The meeting concluded with no items referred from Overview and Scrutiny and no further urgent items.