The Leicestershire County Council Cabinet met on 18 November 2025, and agreed to consult on a draft School Places Strategy for 2026-2031, decided against a funding transfer from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant for 2026/27, and approved the council's response to the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation. The Cabinet also noted the Annual Delivery Report and Performance Compendium for 2025, and the Annual Report of the Traded Services Strategy.

School Funding

The Cabinet discussed the proposed transfer of funding from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant¹ for 2026/27, but ultimately did not support it. The Director of Children and Family Services presented a report outlining the outcome of the consultation process with schools, as well as feedback from the Schools Forum. The report presented two options for funding a sustainable outreach and graduated support offer to mainstream schools, either through the transfer of funds or other measures.

Councillor Charles Pugsley, CC, Children and Family Services Lead Member, acknowledged the increasing number of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in the county, but stated that pursuing another Schools Block transfer was not the solution. The Cabinet agreed to support funding outreach and support from Oakfield School through a per-pupil contribution model.

Councillor Dan Harrison CC, Chair of the Cabinet, noted that the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit was a significant financial concern and that measures to support more children with SEND remaining in mainstream schools were essential. He added that the Oakfield School model would provide children and young people with the support they needed, reducing the need for specialist school places and growth on the High Needs Block budgets.

The Cabinet resolved to note the responses to the consultation, the Schools Forum's decision to not support either option, and to agree to implement the preferred option of a per-pupil contribution model. If this is not approved by the Schools Forum, the Director of Children and Family Services is authorised to seek permission from the Secretary of State to approve a 0.5% transfer.

School Places Strategy 2026-2031

The Cabinet approved a consultation to be undertaken on the Leicestershire County Council's draft School Places Strategy 2026-2031. The School Places Strategy sets out how the council will meet its statutory duties to ensure that there are sufficient, high quality school places in Leicestershire which are in the right place, at the right time. The consultation will commence on 20 November 2025 and run until 4 January 2026. The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee will receive a report as part of the consultation exercise at its meeting on 20 January 2025, and the Cabinet will receive a further report summarising consultation feedback on 3 February 2026.

Response to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council Local Plan Consultation 2025

The Cabinet approved the County Council's response to the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council Regulation 18 Local Plan consultation, with any minor amendments to be made by the Chief Executive following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member. The response emphasises the urgent need for further evidence on the proposed strategic development, Norton Heath, given the significant concerns the County Council has over the proposed allocation. Councillor Adam Rowland Tilbury CC expressed concern around the proposed Norton Heath development and the potential consequences arising from this if it was allowed to go ahead. The Director of Environment and Transport assured members that these concerns would be fully considered as part of the wider consultation process, with further discussions to take place ahead of any consultation on the next stage of the Local Plan process.

Annual Delivery Report and Performance Compendium 2025

The Cabinet considered the Annual Delivery Report and Performance Compendium for 2025, which sets out the council's progress and performance over the past year. Councillor Harrison Fowler CC, Lead Member, thanked officers for the thorough assessment in the report, noting that despite funding issues, the council remained in a relatively strong position. Councillor Dan Harrison CC commented on the good work and services delivered by the council, stating that work was taking place to close the budget gap whilst ensuring high quality service delivery for residents continued. The Cabinet resolved to note the progress in delivering on the council's service priorities, the council's low comparative funding, good performance outcomes position, and the financial pressures and risks facing the authority. The Cabinet also resolved that the council continues to press its case for a fairer funding settlement, progresses plans for a fundamental Budget and Efficiency Review, and its preference to secure efficiency savings and wider benefits from a new unitary authority for Leicestershire and Rutland.

Annual Report of the Traded Services Strategy

The Cabinet considered the Annual Report of the Traded Services Strategy, which set out the performance of the council's traded services, and provided an update on the progress on exiting the school food business and engagement over the future of Beaumanor Hall. Councillor Harrison Fowler CC commended the work undertaken by the services over the year, despite a number of challenges. Members agreed that the decision to exit the school food service was regrettable but was the right thing to do, and that the option to lease cafés could generate some revenue. Members also agreed that the engagement around the future of Beaumanor Hall had been well received. The Cabinet resolved to note the performance against targets in the Traded Services Strategy during 2024/25, the future developments and outlook for 2025/26, the current status of the programme to exit the school food service, and the current status of the engagement process for the future of Beaumanor.