The Overview Select Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, to review financial monitoring reports and discuss the committee's work programme. Key discussions are expected to focus on the revenue and capital budget monitoring for the 2025/26 financial year, providing an update on the council's financial performance up to December 2025.

Revenue Budget Monitoring April-December 2025/26

The committee will receive an update on the council's revenue budget for the 2025/26 financial year, covering the period up to December 2025. The report indicates an overall forecast net underspend of £3.7m against the approved budget of £436.5m. Areas of spending variance include pressures in homelessness services, which are forecast to require £3.6m from contingency, and increased placement costs within children's services, projected at £2m. Conversely, Adult Social Care is expected to overachieve its income budget and has difficulties filling posts, contributing to an underspend. The report also notes the cumulative deficit on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) is forecast to reach £44.7m by March 2026, with government funding expected to cover 90% of this deficit. The report is available as Appendix C to the public reports pack here.

The Capital Budget Monitoring April-December 2025/26

A report will be presented on the position of the capital programme for 2025/26 as at the end of December 2025. This report details the progress of various capital projects and work programmes. It highlights a total spend of £87.4m for the year to date. The report recommends approving reductions to the programmes, including £72k for the Action Homeless Supported Living Scheme and £300k for Public Realm Works within the HRA, which is to be transferred to revenue budgets. It also recommends approving additions, such as £556k for Additional SEND Places from the Expansion of Oaklands Special School project, and £621k for Leicester Urban Natural Flood Management, financed by government grant funding. The report is available as Appendix D to the public reports pack here.

Tracking of Petitions – Monitoring Report

The committee will receive an update on the monitoring of outstanding petitions. The report aims to provide members with the current status of responses to petitions, against the Council's target of providing a formal response within three months of referral to the Divisional Director. Members are asked to note the current status of outstanding petitions and agree to remove those marked 'Petition Process Complete' from the report. This report is available as Appendix B to the public reports pack here.

Overview Select Committee Work Programme

The committee will consider its current work programme and is invited to make any necessary comments or amendments. The forward plan includes items such as the findings of the Healthy Workplace Survey, updates on Income Collection, an overview of the Household Support Fund, and the Customer Experience Strategy. The work programme is detailed in the public reports pack here.

The meeting will also include a session for questions to the City Mayor, where members can raise issues not covered elsewhere on the agenda.