The Culture and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to discuss updates on the Place Expansion Project and the Leicester Riverside Festival. The commission was also set to receive a verbal update on Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) and review the council's work programme.

Place Expansion Project Update

Leicester's involvement in Sport England's Place Expansion programme was scheduled for discussion, with a report outlining the details of a Full Award bid submitted to Sport England on 27 March 2026. This national initiative aims to address inequalities in physical activity through long-term, place-based approaches. The programme focuses on areas with high levels of inactivity and deprivation, supporting local partners to collaborate with communities to remove barriers to being active. Leicester has been identified as a Place Expansion area, and a Development Award has enabled preparatory work, including community engagement and research. The report detailed the approach, which includes listening to communities, shaping solutions together, investing and activating initiatives, and evaluating and sustaining progress. Stakeholder engagement has involved system-level work with senior leaders and practitioners, as well as place-based engagement through Moving Conversations in six identified Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOA)s: Saffron Lane, Stocking Farm and Mowmacre, Eyres Monsell, Thurnby Lodge, North Evington and Rowlatts Hill, and Northfields and Merrydale. Seven key themes emerged from this engagement, including feeling safe, transport and mobility, social connection, the urban environment, parks and playgrounds, physical and mental health, and community ownership. The anticipated outcomes include a single vision for walking, cycling, wheeling, and play, amplified voices of the least active, a power shift to communities, and stronger, more connected communities with services and systems that support physical activity equitably. The report also detailed the governance arrangements, with Active Together acting as the lead applicant and accountable body, working in partnership with Leicester City Council and local organisations.

Leicester Riverside Festival Overview and Update

An overview of the Leicester Riverside Festival was scheduled, detailing its history, location, activities, partnerships, and recent developments. Established in 1997, the festival has grown into one of Leicester's largest free outdoor events, attracting between 60,000 and 70,000 attendees annually. The report highlighted the festival's strategic role within the city's cultural offer and the sustainability of its free-to-attend model. The festival takes place across multiple sites along the River Soar, including Bede Park, Western Boulevard, Castle Gardens, the River Soar itself, and the De Montfort University (DMU) Campus. Activities include music stages, family entertainment, markets, food vendors, water-based activities, and cultural programmes. Governance and delivery involve Leicester City Council's Festivals and Events team, in partnership with DMU, the Leicester Music Board, All-In Leicester, Brightsparks Arts, and the LCC Public Health team. New initiatives for 2026 include the relocation of the Main Stage to Bede Park, a sensory arts programme called 'Bloom' in Castle Gardens delivered by Brightsparks Arts, and a vintage vehicle display at The Newarke. The report also outlined the festival's contribution to the city's cultural strategy, city centre vitality, community cohesion, support for local businesses, and the promotion of Leicester's waterways and heritage assets. Sustainability measures, including a carbon baseline measurement and visitor travel surveys, were also discussed. The provisional budget indicated a total budget of approximately £146,500, with the Council's contribution representing about 24% of this amount.

PSPO 2 - Verbal Update

A verbal update was scheduled on Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) 2, which relates to the outer city areas. This item was expected to provide information on the development of this order, which aims to address anti-social behaviour.

Work Programme

The commission was scheduled to consider its work programme and make suggestions for additional items. The provided work programme for 2025-2026 included various items such as a site visit to Biffa, a review of the KRIII café business case, updates on Public Space Protection Orders, waste engagement findings, heritage places funding, a redrafted Community Asset Transfer Policy, and a report on fly-tipping. Future planned items included a review of ward funding, bereavement services, leisure centre needs assessment, and updates on the De Montfort Hall/Haymarket Theatre Community Asset Transfer Task Group. The work programme also indicated that the Place Expansion Programme and Riverside Festival updates were scheduled for this meeting.