The Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commission met on Wednesday 11 March 2026 to consider a range of topics, including transport affordability, planning service performance, and programmes aimed at improving employment and addressing worker exploitation. The meeting also reviewed the council's draft budget and capital programme.

Transport Affordability

The commission was scheduled to receive a report from the City Transport Director detailing the affordability of transport options within the city, with a particular focus on passenger transport. The report was intended to outline actions being taken by the city council and its partners to make public transport more affordable. This discussion was prompted by representations from young people regarding the cost of bus travel. The report highlighted that while national initiatives like the £3 bus fare cap are in place, concerns about crowding and unreliability are also significant barriers to bus usage. The council, through the Leicester Buses Partnership, offers various initiatives, including discretionary local enhancements to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme, the Travel Aid scheme for unemployed travellers, and flexible ticket options. Benchmarking against other combined authorities indicated that Leicester's flexi day ticket is priced competitively, though many areas with lower costs benefit from being part of larger combined authorities with greater opportunities for cross-subsidy. The report also detailed example fare subsidy schemes in Greater Manchester and Barnsley, noting their significant operating costs. Opportunities for local schemes were explored, including potential uniform fare reductions, targeted discounts on specific tickets, or focused discounts on student tickets, with a need to assess financial viability and impact.

Planning Service Performance Review

A report was presented by the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation, providing an overview of the planning service's performance. The report acknowledged challenging national economic conditions that have affected development delivery and planning income. It detailed staffing pressures due to a national shortage of planners, compounded locally by disruption from a cyber-attack in 2024. A comprehensive organisational review of the Planning Service was implemented to address staffing capacity and service capability, which was largely completed by summer 2025, leading to a substantive recovery in planning performance. The report indicated that a decline in income from fewer applications had been partially offset by increases in national fees and pre-application advice fees, suggesting strong foundations for future resilience. The report noted national trends showing a significant decline in planning application submissions, attributed to factors such as increased energy costs, interest rates, construction labour shortages, material cost increases, and regulatory costs. Government initiatives to reverse this decline were mentioned, including revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the Planning and Infrastructure Act. Locally, the report presented data on application numbers received, showing a general reduction in line with national trends. Performance against government targets for determining planning applications was detailed, with a strong recovery noted for minor applications. Appeal decisions were also reviewed, showing a consistent percentage of appeals dismissed. Planning income figures for the past five years were provided, along with pre-application advice income, which saw an increase following a rise in charges in January 2025.

EDTCE Scrutiny Task Force - Labour Market Worker Exploitation - Executive Response Revisited

The commission was scheduled to consider the Executive Response to recommendations made by the Task Group on Worker Exploitation. The report highlighted the council's proactive approach to addressing alleged concerns of non-compliance, particularly in the garment sector, and noted that local authorities do not have formal labour market enforcement powers, which rest with national regulators. The report referenced the findings of the government's Operation Tacit review, which suggested that allegations of widespread modern slavery and labour exploitation in Leicester's garment industry were unfounded. The Executive Response acknowledged the complexity of worker exploitation as a national and global issue, often linked to the hidden economy and criminal activity. It highlighted upcoming national policy changes, including the proposed Employment Rights Bill and the establishment of the Fair Work Agency, expected to launch in 2026. The report also referenced the Local Government Association's (LGA) work on modern slavery and the importance of partnership working. The Get LLR Working programme was identified as a key framework for addressing labour market exploitation issues. The Executive committed to tracking the establishment of the Fair Work Agency, valuing the role of the community and voluntary sector, embedding partnership working in the Get LLR Working agenda, and focusing on detailed interventions in the social care and gig economy sectors, subject to funding. The council also committed to ensuring its Social Value Charter underpins procurement and commissioning processes and to lobbying government for resources and powers.

Connect to Work Programme

The Director of Tourism, Culture and Economy presented an overview of the start of the Connect to Work programme for Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland (LLR). This Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) funded programme aims to support disabled people, individuals with health conditions, and those from disadvantaged groups with complex barriers to find and maintain employment. The programme is funded by a grant of up to £17.2 million from 2024/25 to 2029/30. It requires the commissioning or establishment of a supported employment programme delivered by Employment Specialists. Two delivery models are being used: Individual Placement and Support (IPS), which integrates employment support alongside health services, and Supported Employment Quality Framework (SEQF), which is a more intensive intervention for individuals with learning disabilities, autism, and other complex disadvantages. Leicester City Council is the accountable body for the programme, leading the SEQF model for Leicester City residents, while Leicestershire County Council and Rutland County Council will deliver SEQF for their respective areas. The IPS model is to be commissioned from external providers. The programme aims to support a total of 4,662 individuals across LLR, with ambitious targets for employment starts and retention. The report detailed the budget allocation across the delivery partners and outlined the participant journey, from initial enquiry to job support.

Work Programme

The commission was invited to consider the work programme and make suggestions for additional items. The report indicated that the topic of local transport affordability had been previously raised in the Overview Select Committee, and the commission agreed to hold one meeting to address concerns raised by Youth Representatives rather than commissioning a task group.

Draft General Fund Revenue Budget 2026/27 and Draft Three Year Capital Programme 2026/27

The Head of Finance provided an overview of the City Mayor's proposed Draft General Fund Revenue Budget for 2026/27 and the Draft Three-Year Capital Programme 2026/27. The revenue budget outlined a medium-term financial strategy for the following two years, requiring the continuation of a five-strand strategy including budget savings, constraining growth in areas like social care, a reduction in the capital programme, releasing one-off monies, and a programme of property sales. The budget includes scope to meet ongoing cost increases in social care, homelessness, and housing benefits. Revenue budget points relevant to the commission included £450,000 to cover a shortfall in market income and £1 million to replace the loss of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The draft capital programme sought approval for just under £130 million over three years, funded primarily through government grants and borrowing, with an aim to alleviate revenue pressure by using £60 million of capital receipts. Capital programme points relevant to the commission included allocations for the highways maintenance programme, local transport grants, maintenance at the LCB depot, local environmental works, and flood strategy work. Key points discussed included fair funding figures, proposals regarding parking charges, and the distinction between Pride in Place and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. For the capital programme, details on pothole management, grant funding for road maintenance, and ongoing maintenance work in flooding hotspots were discussed. Concerns were raised regarding the demolition of Rally House and its temporary use as a car park. Issues with street lighting and road cleaning were also raised.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 January 2026 were presented for confirmation. A key item from the previous meeting was the call-in of an Executive decision relating to a land exchange for regeneration at Midland Street/Southampton Street in the Cultural Quarter. The report detailed the arguments made by the proposers of the call-in, focusing on concerns regarding the overall value and strategic implications of the land exchange, valuation assumptions, and the potential loss of long-term control over a key gateway site. The Director presented context for the proposal within the council's wider regeneration objectives, explaining the land assembly strategy and the benefits of the exchange as a more proportionate and cost-effective alternative to compulsory purchase. Responses were provided to specific questions raised during the call-in, addressing site size, developable areas, land values, tenancy issues, and the impact on pedestrian access and the gateway to the Phoenix area. Following discussion, Councillor Cassidy moved that the call-in be withdrawn, which was carried. The minutes also detailed discussions on the Draft General Fund Revenue Budget and Draft Three-Year Capital Programme, including allocations for highways maintenance, local transport grants, environmental works, and flood strategy. An update on the Get LLR Working programme was also noted, with agreements to provide further information on grants for individuals starting businesses and a further report clarifying the relationship between initiatives reducing economic inactivity and unemployment trends.

EDTCE Scrutiny Task Force - Labour Market Worker Exploitation - Executive Response

A verbal update was provided on the task group concerning worker exploitation. The Director thanked commission members and the University of Leicester for their work, noting the council's proactive approach to addressing labour market exploitation, particularly in the garment sector. The report highlighted that local authorities lack formal labour market enforcement powers, with many drivers of exploitation being national. It referenced the proposed Employment Rights Bill and the establishment of the Fair Work Agency. The council's Social Value Charter was mentioned as underpinning procurement and commissioning processes. The importance of partnership working and the role of trusted community and voluntary sector organisations in supporting vulnerable workers were emphasised. The Deputy City Mayor for Housing, Economy and Neighbourhoods commented on the council's resources to address exploitation across sectors and noted engagements with the LGA regarding workforce exploitation and modern slavery. Concerns were raised about allegations of exploitation within social care linked to work visas and the potential impacts of national policy changes.

EDTCE Scrutiny Task Force - Labour Market Worker Exploitation - Executive Response Revisited

The commission was scheduled to revisit the Executive Response to the recommendations made by the Task Group on Worker Exploitation. The report provided background on the council's work with partners to address concerns in Leicester's garment sector and noted that the government's Operation Tacit review found allegations of widespread modern slavery and labour exploitation in the industry to be unfounded. The Executive acknowledged the complexity of worker exploitation and the limitations of local authority enforcement powers. It highlighted upcoming national policy changes, including the Employment Rights Bill and the Fair Work Agency. The report also emphasised the importance of partnership working and the role of community and voluntary sector organisations. The Executive committed to tracking the Fair Work Agency, valuing community organisations, embedding partnership working in the Get LLR Working agenda, and focusing on detailed interventions in the social care and gig economy sectors, subject to funding. The council also committed to ensuring its Social Value Charter underpins procurement and commissioning processes and to lobbying government for resources and powers.

Any Other Business

There were no further items of urgent business scheduled for discussion.