The Highways, Transport and Waste Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss the council's Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026/27 to 2029/30, review the approach to assessing and justifying pedestrian crossings, and receive an update on the Melton Mowbray Distribution Road project. The committee was also set to consider the Healthy Streets approach to urban planning.

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026/27 - 2029/30

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the Highways, Transport and Waste Services. This strategy outlines the projected financial position for the department over the next four years, detailing proposed revenue budgets, growth areas, and anticipated savings. The report highlights a projected financial gap that needs to be addressed, with detailed breakdowns of budget allocations across various services, including Highways Operations, Assisted Transport, Waste Management, and Departmental Management. The strategy also details proposed savings initiatives, such as those from the Assisted Transport Programme and efficiencies in contract procurement, alongside growth areas like increased Special Educational Needs (SEN) transport costs and the expansion of the Emissions Trading Scheme to include energy from waste facilities. The report also touches upon future financial sustainability and an ongoing Efficiency Review, as well as other factors influencing the MTFS delivery, including government funding, climate change impacts, and staff recruitment and retention challenges. The capital programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30 was also to be reviewed, detailing planned investments in major schemes, transport asset management, and waste management infrastructure.

Pedestrian Crossing Assessment and Justification in Leicestershire

The committee was scheduled to review the council's current approach to assessing and justifying the need for pedestrian, cycle, and horse rider crossings. The report details the evolution of the assessment methodology, moving from the older PV Squared calculation to a more comprehensive framework that incorporates factors such as accident data, pedestrian and vehicular flow composition, road width, vehicle speeds, and special considerations for community severance and proximity to key facilities like schools and hospitals. The report outlines the proposed modification to expand the survey area for assessments to ensure a more robust capture of pedestrian activity. It also discusses the process for handling requests from the public, developers, and third-party funders, as well as the consultation process for implementing new crossings. The report includes detailed examples of past assessments and the methodology for calculating a Crossing Justification Value (CJV) to determine the appropriate type of crossing.

Melton Mowbray Distribution Road

An update was scheduled on the North and East Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (NE MMDR) project. The presentation was to cover the road's specifications, its purpose in facilitating new housing and employment, and its intended benefits, such as reducing town centre congestion and improving air quality. The report details the project's long and complex journey, from initial options assessment to its current advanced construction stage, highlighting key milestones and assurance processes. It was also to address the challenges encountered, including exceptional weather events, flooding, and ground conditions, which have contributed to increased costs. The presentation was expected to showcase innovations like Foamix Base Surfacing and provide details on the project's budget, lessons learned, and next steps, including the road naming process and the planned opening event.

Healthy Streets

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the Healthy Streets approach, a framework designed to integrate public health considerations into transport and planning decisions. The report explains how this approach aims to create streets that prioritise people, encouraging walking, cycling, and wheeling, and fostering economic growth, improved health and wellbeing, transport efficiency, environmental improvements, and social inclusion. The report details the alignment of the Healthy Streets approach with various local strategies and plans, including the Cycling and Walking Strategy and the Local Transport Plan 4. It outlines the key indicators of the Healthy Streets framework and provides examples of how these principles are being applied to current and future capital schemes, such as enhancing routes to schools and developing shared-use corridors. The report also touches upon the resource implications and the positive health and environmental benefits associated with adopting this approach.