The Leicestershire County Council Cabinet was scheduled to meet on 28 October 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including the Investing in Leicestershire Programme, the Local Transport Plan, flood mitigation, rights of way, local plans in Melton, museum policy, and an efficiency review.

Items for Discussion

• Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12 September 2025.

• Any urgent items that the Chair, Councillor Dan Harrison CC, had decided to add to the agenda.

• Declarations of interest from councillors on any items in the agenda.

Investing in Leicestershire Programme Annual Performance Report

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider the Investing in Leicestershire Programme (IILP) Annual Performance Report 2024-25. The report, prepared by the Director of Corporate Resources, aimed to present the performance of the IILP for the financial year 2024/25.

The report pack included the Investing in Leicestershire Programme Annual Performance Report 2024-2025 and its appendix. The report pack noted that the Scrutiny Commission had considered the Annual Performance Report at its meeting on 8 September 2025, and that the Cabinet had previously agreed to extend the membership of the Investing in Leicestershire Programme Board to include all members of the Cabinet.

The report pack recommended that the Cabinet note the performance of the Investing in Leicestershire Programme for the period April 2024 to March 2025 as set out in the Annual Report.

The report pack stated that the Investing in Leicestershire Programme had grown significantly in value over recent years and had provided a means by which the council could continue to provide high quality services to the people of Leicestershire despite significant pressures on public finances.

The report pack stated that at the end of 2024/25, the direct property portfolio, including the value of the let areas of County Hall, was valued at £231.8 million and comprised £95.9 million rural estate, £63.1 million offices, £26.0 million industrial properties and £4.7 million of other property together with £42.1 million of development properties.

The report pack stated that in addition, the IILP held financial investments that had been made in vehicles outside direct property ownership (diversifiers). These had been made to spread risk, in line with the council's aim to increase its commercial activities to generate greater income that would support the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy and future service delivery. These had a current value of £60.5 million comprising £16.1 million pooled property funds, £23.0 million private debt, £8.7 million pooled infrastructure funds and £12.7 million pooled bank risk share funds. This brought the total value of the portfolio to £292.3 million.

The report pack stated that overall, the capital value of the IILP increased by £0.1 million during 2024/25 due mainly to an increase in the value of the direct property portfolio of £16.6 million and a similar reduction in the value of the diversified assets as a result of assets being realised during the year; revised valuations having been prepared by external consultants in accordance with current guidelines. In addition, the IILP generated a net income of £8.6 million which would contribute directly to the provision of council services.

Local Transport Plan

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report by the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the development of the Enabling Travel Choice Strategy (ETCS), which forms part of the full Local Transport Plan 2025-2040 (LTP4), and to seek approval of draft key 'policy positions' that are intended to form the fundamental basis of the ETCS for consultation.

The report pack included the Final Delivering the LTP4 Cabinet Report 281025.

The report pack recommended that the Cabinet approve the draft key 'policy positions' that are intended to form the fundamental basis of the ETCS for consultation, and that an eight-week initial consultation exercise be undertaken to inform the further development of the ETCS and three pilot Multi-Modal Area Investment Plans (MMAIPs) for Market Harborough, Hinckley, and South-east Leicestershire.

The report pack stated that the ETCS would set out in detail how the council, as the Local Transport Authority, would seek to enable people living and working in the county, in existing and new communities, to make informed travel choices.

The report pack stated that the ETCS would cover two key areas of work:

• How the LTA would work with existing communities to understand them and any travel barriers that they face in seeking to access the services/facilities in their daily lives, and to seek to enable them to have realistic choices about how they travel to those services/facilities.

• How the LTA would seek to work with Local Planning Authorities and with promoters of new developments to deliver new places that would achieve genuine sustainable development in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

The report pack stated that the ETCS proposed to embrace all appropriate and relevant modes of travel, not just 'sustainable' travel.

Flooding and Climate Adaptation

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report by the Director of Environment and Transport regarding a programme of flood mitigation and climate adaption and resilience measures. The programme would be funded using £2 million previously allocated for carbon reduction initiatives.

The report pack included the FINAL Flooding and Climate Adaptation Cabinet 281025 and its appendix.

The report pack recommended that the Cabinet approve the proposed use of £2 million, reallocated from the earmarked reserve for carbon reduction, towards flood related activities and adapting services to help mitigate the impacts of severe weather and to increase future resilience.

The report pack stated that recent flood events over the past two years had had a significant impact on many communities across Leicestershire and this in turn had placed substantial pressure on the resources of the County Council in its capacity as the Lead Local Flood Authority[^2] and the Local Highway Authority in trying to support those communities.

The report pack stated that the proposed allocation of funding was based on a number of working assumptions, namely:

• The programme should be realistic and deliverable and therefore delivered over a 2- to 3-year period with flexibility on the amount allocated to a particular initiative and where it is focussed over that period.

• There should be a clear and visible benefit to the public and progress openly reported.

• There should be a focus on reducing the impact of flooding on Leicestershire's residents and businesses and adapting to be more resilient to severe weather events.

• The programme is limited to £2 million at present and represents discretionary investment, therefore it must be made clear that these initiatives may not be continued or ongoing unless further funding is made available.

• This represents an opportunity to trial new initiatives and approaches and as such it may be necessary to review and change aspects of the programme as progress is evaluated.

• There should be recognition of the council's statutory responsibilities as the LLFA and the LHA, and a need to ensure a proper use of the funding in line with the council's financial responsibilities.

• The current level of LLFA staffing (temporarily funded for 2025/26) is made permanent.

The report pack stated that it was proposed to allocate the £2 million over three main categories as follows:

• Working with Communities (£0.4m)

• Adaptation to Protect Priority Assets (£0.3m)

• Effective Management and Investment of Highways Drainage Assets (£1.3m)

Rights of Way Improvement Plan

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report by the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (RoWIP) 2025-2035.

The report pack included the FINAL RoWIP - Cabinet 281025, Appendix A - Rights Of Way Improvement Plan 2025-2035, Appendix B - Rights Of Way Improvement Plan 2025-2035 Action Plan, Appendix C - Draft RoWIP Consultation Outcome and Appendix D - RoWIP EIA.

The report pack recommended that the Cabinet approve the RoWIP 2025-2035, and its Action Plan.

The report pack stated that the RoWIP was a 10-year plan which explains how improvements made to the public rights of way network in Leicestershire, alongside effective management and maintenance, would provide a better experience for all users when walking, wheeling, cycling, and horse riding. It also aimed to help connect Leicestershire communities with each other and through nature and green spaces.

The report pack stated that the updated RoWIP had been developed through engagement and collaboration with stakeholders, and in line with current council policies, strategies and government guidance to create a compliant, achievable, and affordable plan.

The report pack stated that the updated RoWIP and its delivery would help achieve the goals of maintaining and improving the public rights of way network that meets the present and future needs of users, providing opportunities for all users to access nature, open-air recreation and exercise, and does so in an efficient, cost effective and sustainable way.

Melton Local Plan Partial Update

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report by the Chief Executive regarding the Melton Local Plan Partial Update Duty to Cooperate Statement of Common Ground.

The report pack included the Melton Local Plan Partial Update Statement of Common Ground between Melton Borough Council and Leicestershire County Council.

The report pack recommended that the County Council become a signatory to the Melton Local Plan Partial Update Statement of Common Ground.

The report pack stated that the Duty to Cooperate was a legal duty for local planning authorities, county councils and relevant bodies to 'engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis in any process' including the preparation of development plan documents.

The report pack stated that the Statement of Common Ground noted the consensus for the Melton Local Plan Partial Update period to mirror the period in the adopted Local Plan to 2036 and confirmed Melton Borough Council's commitment to start a new Local Plan immediately after the adoption of the Local Plan Partial Update.

Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood Statement of Common Ground

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report by the Chief Executive and the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood Statement of Common Ground.

The report pack included the Supplementary Cabinet Report - MBC SOCG on MSSN - OCT 25 Final and its appendix.

The report pack recommended that the County Council become a signatory to a Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood Statement of Common Ground subject to the actions and principles set out in Part B of the report.

The report pack stated that the Statement of Common Ground related to the Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood, and Southern Melton Mowbray Distributor Road and had been prepared jointly by the County Council, Melton Borough Council, Davidsons Developments Limited and Bloor Homes ('the parties'), to support the Melton Local Plan Partial Update examination.

The report pack stated that the County Council had formally committed to phased delivery of the MMDRS, subject to no funding for the scheme being required from the County Council. The latest transport evidence work demonstrates that phased delivery is possible in practical terms and further details on the phasing strategy and funding mechanisms are expected to be developed through further joint working and form part of appropriate planning applications.

Museum Policy Revision and Accreditation

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report by the Director of Adults and Communities regarding the Leicestershire County Council Museum Policy Revision and Accreditation.

The report pack included the revised Museum Access Policy 2025-2030 and Collections Development Policy 2025-2030.

The report pack recommended that the Cabinet approve the Museum Access Policy 2025-2030 and Collections Development Policy 2025-2030, and that subject to Cabinet approval, the Museum Access Policy 2025-2030 and Collections Development Policy 2025-2030, be submitted to Arts Council England, as per accreditation guidelines.

The report pack stated that the current Museum Access and Collections Development policies expire in November 2025 and that the policies are a key requirement of the UK Museum Accreditation Standard.

The report pack stated that the County Council has five accredited museum sites: Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, the 1620s House and Garden at Donington-le-Heath, Charnwood Museum (in partnership with Charnwood Borough Council), Harborough Museum (in partnership with Harborough District Council) and Melton Carnegie Museum.

The report pack stated that the Access Policy sets out the County Council's Museum Service commitments to create a culture where people of all backgrounds and experiences feel appreciated and valued, providing access for everyone in terms of its sites, programming and collections.

The report pack stated that the Collections Development Policy sets out the vision and purpose for the County Council's Museum Service and how it will deliver against these through its collections, acquisitions, disposals, and collections care.

Other Items

• Items referred from Overview and Scrutiny committees.

• Any other items which the Chair, Councillor Dan Harrison CC, decided to take as urgent.

• Exclusion of the press and public for the following item: Efficiency Review - Appointment of Consultant.

• Efficiency Review - Appointment of Consultant. (Exempt under Paragraphs 3 and 10.)