The Culture and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to discuss operational changes within the Museums Service, progress on selective licensing schemes across the city, and the development of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for outer city areas. Additionally, the commission was set to review the details of the government's long-term Pride in Place Programme (PiPP).

Museums Service Operational Changes Update

The commission was scheduled to receive an update on the delivery of the Museums and Galleries Strategy, with a specific focus on operational changes implemented at the Abbey Pumping Station and Newarke Houses Museum. These changes, which came into effect on 1 May 2025, were part of a broader strategy to create a more cost-effective museum service with fewer, but improved, buildings and displays. The report indicated that these operational changes at the two sites were projected to achieve revenue savings of £112,000 for Abbey Pumping Station and £134,000 for Newarke Houses Museum, totalling £246,000.

The report detailed that Abbey Pumping Station would continue to be open on event days, railway days, Steam with the Team days, and Mondays during Leicester City Council (LCC) school holidays, with school visits also continuing. The Food and Craft Fair, previously held at Belgrave Hall, had been transferred to Abbey Pumping Station in September 2025, attracting 1,924 visitors, a 70% increase compared to the previous year's attendance at Belgrave Hall. The Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) programme was also delivered at Abbey Pumping Station during July and August 2025, with 416 participations from children aged 6–11.

Newarke Houses Museum was scheduled to be open on Saturdays and Wednesdays during LCC school holidays between May and August. It also opened for specific events, including the Siege of Leicester event and Heritage Open Days. School visits continued to be provided, and the museum's garden was being maintained, with pruning of trees in front of the Chantry House to improve visibility.

Selective Licensing Update

A report was scheduled to provide an update on the progress of selective licensing schemes in the city. These schemes are in place in three areas: Braunstone Park & Rowley Fields, Fosse, Saffron, Stoneygate, Spinney Hills, and Westcotes wards. The primary aim of these schemes is to improve residents' quality of life by enhancing living conditions and neighbourhoods. The schemes are set to remain in effect until October 2027.

The report indicated that selective licensing schemes may be introduced in areas experiencing issues such as high levels of deprivation, poor property conditions, significant anti-social behaviour, high crime rates, high migration, or low housing demand. Following consultation between November 2021 and February 2022, three selective licensing designations were made, taking effect in October 2022. A dashboard attached to the report was expected to show progress against various measures.

The dashboard data for February 2026 indicated that 77% of the estimated 8,000 privately rented properties in the designated areas had applications received, with 6,176 applications either in progress, at the inspection stage, or granted. Of the properties inspected, 4,145 had at least one hazard, with 238 properties (4%) having a Category 1 hazard and 3,907 properties (67%) having a Category 2 hazard. Enforcement actions included the issuing of improvement notices and prohibition orders, with 114 investigations ongoing. Future plans included continued partnership working with the Police and Fire Service, landlord information sessions, and a review of the designation areas towards the end of 2026.

Draft PSPO Zone 2 Implementation Update

The commission was scheduled to receive a presentation on the development of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the outer city areas, referred to as PSPO Zone 2. A PSPO is a legal tool used by councils to address persistent, harmful anti-social behaviour in specific public areas, setting clear, enforceable restrictions on behaviours such as alcohol misuse, drug-related anti-social behaviour, vandalism, and vehicle nuisance.

The development process involves gathering evidence from various sources, including police data, council anti-social behaviour records, and community reports. This evidence is then used to engage statutory partners, consult with ward members and local communities, draft the PSPO order, seek legal review and formal approval, and finally implement and monitor the order.

Data gathered between June 2024 and May 2025 indicated a total of 6,125 anti-social behaviour (ASB) reports. Of these, 58% concerned motor vehicle ASB, 14% involved alcohol, 14% involved drugs, and 14% pertained to vandalism. The top five wards with the highest reported ASB were Abbey, Western, Braunstone, Belgrave, and Beaumont Leys. The report detailed specific data analysis for vehicle-related ASB, alcohol-related ASB, drug-related ASB, and vandalism/fireworks, highlighting key wards affected by each type of behaviour. Early engagement with ward members had also been completed to understand the local impact of these behaviours.

Pride in Place Programme

The commission was scheduled to review the details of the government's Pride in Place Programme (PiPP), a 10-year initiative designed to deliver long-term funding to disadvantaged neighbourhoods, with a focus on community leadership and local empowerment. Three specific areas in Leicester have been selected for this programme: Eyres Monsell, Braunstone Park West, and Thurnby Lodge. Each area is set to receive up to £20 million over 10 years, with £150,000 in capacity funding available before April 2026. Leicester City Council is required to act as the Accountable Body for all three areas.

The programme is built on four core principles: long-term effort, activity and funding; flexibility; community leadership; and support. Its overarching aims are to foster stronger communities, thriving places, and local empowerment. Decision-making will be channelled through Neighbourhood Boards, which must have a majority of local residents.

The report outlined funding arrangements, with funding released annually and tied to performance and compliance. Capacity funding is intended for establishing governance structures, recruiting independent chairs, convening neighbourhood boards, community engagement, and baseline analysis. The council, as the Accountable Body, holds legal responsibility for all funds and ensuring compliance, including robust financial controls and reporting. Neighbourhood Boards are mandated to include an Independent Chair, the local MP, at least one councillor, a senior police representative, and a majority of local residents. Key deadlines were highlighted, including the establishment of Neighbourhood Boards by 17 July 2026 and the submission of the final Pride in Place Plan by 28 November 2026. The report also detailed groundwork actions required, including governance and mobilisation, community engagement preparation, boundary and data work, financial preparations, and delivery preparation.

Work Programme

The commission was also scheduled to consider its work programme and make suggestions for additional items it deemed necessary. The provided work programme document outlines planned discussions for the 2025-2026 municipal year, including items such as the business case for the KRIII café, Public Space Protection Orders, waste engagement findings, heritage places funding updates, and a redrafted Community Asset Transfer Policy. For the current meeting on 5 March 2026, specific items noted for inclusion were visitor figures for the school holiday period related to the Museums Update.