The Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commission of Leicestershire Council met on Wednesday, 26 June 2024, to discuss several key issues, including updates on 20mph zones, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, the Waterside development, worker exploitation in the labour market, and the future of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).

Waterside Development

The Programme Manager and Head of Development - Planning, Development and Transport provided a comprehensive update on the Waterside development. The area, spanning around 100 acres, had been identified as a regeneration priority due to its derelict state following the decline of the textile industry. Key points included:

• The Council's acquisition and restoration of Friars Mill, now managed by the Chamber of Commerce, which includes new-build office space.
• A Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for 17 acres to develop housing and office space, with a focus on creating competition and choice in the market.
• A £30m grant from the Leicester City Council Capital Programme, Local Growth Fund, and Right to Buy receipts to be invested in affordable housing.
• The development has attracted around £300m of private sector investment since 2015, creating approximately 1,000 student bed places, 1,000 houses and apartments, and significant office and leisure space.

The Commission discussed the inclusion of public spaces, the challenges of developing certain sites, and the importance of ongoing collaboration with private sector partners and organisations like Homes England.

Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

The Vice-Chair provided an update on the informal scrutiny work on electric vehicle (EV) charging points in the city. Key points included:

• The first meeting of the task group focused on the current situation regarding EV charging and available funding streams.
• Future meetings will involve stakeholders to provide insights and opinions on the issue.
• The next meetings are scheduled for 9 and 29 April and will be held via Microsoft Teams.

Members were invited to suggest stakeholders who could contribute to the discussions.

Labour Market: Worker Exploitation

The Head of Economic Regeneration submitted a report on worker exploitation in sectors other than textiles. Dr Nik Hammer, Director of the Future of Work Cluster at the University of Leicester, assisted with the discussion. Key points included:

• The Council's limited powers in labour exploitation enforcement, which lies with national agencies.
• The establishment of a Community Safety Coordinator post to work on enforcement and community engagement.
• The proposal to expand research to assess labour exploitation across all sectors, supported by the University of Leicester.

The Commission discussed the importance of mapping businesses engaged in exploitation, collaborating with partner agencies, and ensuring that Council services are joined up to address the issue effectively.

Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) Arrangements

The Director of Tourism, Culture and Inward Investment reported on the impact of the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) and the progress of transferring its functions to Leicester City Council. Key points included:

• The phasing out of the LLEP Board and the establishment of a new structure to engage businesses and partners.
• The retention of the nationally renowned careers hub and the redesign of services following an organisational review.
• The availability of LLEP reserves to support retained staff and services until March 2026.

The Commission discussed the implications of the changes, the importance of retaining business voices in decision-making, and the potential for clearer resource allocation to local councils.

20mph Zones Informal Scrutiny

The Chair provided an update on the informal scrutiny work on 20mph zones in the city. The report and recommendations had been approved by the Commission and presented to the Executive, who were impressed by the approach taken. A response from the Executive is expected to show that the recommendations will be implemented.

Work Programme

The work programme was noted, with a request to include the issue of 24-hour bus lanes in the agenda for the first meeting of the new municipal year, following the availability of government guidance.

For more details, you can refer to the public minutes of the meeting.