This week in Hinckley and Bosworth:

Urgent Action Needed: Council Condemns MP Over NHS Day Case Centre and Demands Reconsideration

The Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council has passed an urgent motion expressing deep concern over the potential cancellation of a proposed new NHS day case centre in Hinckley. The council, which had even offered a loan to bridge a £2 million shortfall, is calling on the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to urgently reconsider its decision. The motion also condemns inaccurate and untruthful statements made by the local Member of Parliament, who the council claims is blaming them for the NHS's potential decision. If the MP does not issue an apology within seven days, the council plans to contact the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Standards Commissioner regarding their conduct. This decision highlights the critical importance of local healthcare facilities and the political tensions that can arise when they are threatened.

The council also resolved to explore the possibility of an urgent care centre on the site of the former community hospital and requested an urgent meeting with ICB executives. This move underscores the council's commitment to ensuring residents have access to vital health services.

• What this means for you: The potential loss of a day case centre could mean longer travel times and increased pressure on existing healthcare services for residents. The council's strong stance shows their dedication to fighting for local health provision.
• Find out more: Council meeting on 14 April 2026

Historic Cock Inn Saved from Further Decay: Restoration Work to Begin

A petition highlighting the deteriorating state of The Cock Inn in Snipson, a Grade II listed building dating back to the 13th century, has prompted action. Councillor MJ Surtees voiced frustration, stating, The borough has an obligation and a duty of care to protect our listed buildings and we are in year seven. Where is the evidence that we have fulfilled that duty of care? She highlighted that despite numerous surveys and promises from the owners, Star Pubs & Bars (owned by Heineken), no structural work had been undertaken since the pub closed in 2019.

However, there is positive news. The Leader of the Council, Councillor SL Bray, announced that architects appointed by Star Pubs & Bars will commence restoration work in mid-May. This development follows ongoing communication between council officers and the pub owners.

• What this means for you: This is a significant victory for local heritage preservation. The restoration of The Cock Inn will not only save a historic landmark but also potentially revitalise a key part of Snipson.
• Find out more: Council meeting on 14 April 2026

Hinckley and Bosworth Embraces the Year of Reading to Boost Literacy

In a unanimous decision, the Council has pledged to champion the national Year of Reading initiative in 2026. This move recognises the profound impact of literacy on educational attainment, employment, mental wellbeing, and civic participation. Councillor R Webber-Jones, who introduced the motion, emphasised that reading is a gateway to aspiration, a gateway to opportunity, a gateway to confidence, connection and full participation in our community.

The council's commitment includes:

• Championing reading across the borough through council platforms and events.
• Signing a national pledge to raise literacy outcomes.
• Delivering a programme of activities in partnership with local schools, libraries, community groups, and families.

Specific initiatives will include a borough-wide story writing competition for primary-aged children, a book exchange and reading den at the Snapdragon festival, and providing free books for residents in temporary accommodation and those facing cost of living pressures. Councillor MT Mullaney, who spoke about his personal experience with dyslexia, highlighted how reading opened up opportunities for him, underscoring the inclusive nature of the initiative.

• What this means for you: This initiative aims to make reading more accessible and enjoyable for everyone, with a particular focus on children and disadvantaged communities. Improved literacy can lead to better life chances and a more engaged community.
• Find out more: Council meeting on 14 April 2026

Other Matters

Council Land Sold for Development and Affordable Housing

The Council approved the freehold disposal of Plot 22 at Harrowbrook Industrial Estate for £250,000. This sale is expected to generate a capital receipt of £203,288 and supports the council's economic development goals.

Additionally, the sale of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) land at Warwick Close/St Peters Drive, Thornton was granted for £275,000. This will enable a developer to build 100% affordable housing. Ward members raised concerns about potential traffic and safety impacts, which will be considered in future planning applications.

Council Pledges Support for Community Policing

A motion was passed opposing proposals to merge local police forces into larger regional or national entities. The council is calling for increased funding for community policing, national standards for vetting and technology, and enhanced rural crime support. A letter will be sent to the Home Secretary reflecting these views.

Questions Raised on Local Plan and Housing

During the meeting, councillors raised questions about the future planning policy and the Local Plan, the sustainability of housing for the homeless, and the need for accommodation for older people. Concerns were also voiced about land use for food production versus solar panels.

Leader's Update Covers Diverse Council Activities

Councillor SL Bray, Leader of the Council, provided an update on various council activities. These included the rollout of a food waste project, sports awards, a consultation on an Article 4 Direction to control Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Hinckley, and biodiversity enhancements. He also mentioned the closure of Lloyds bank in Hinckley and the opening of a new banking hub.

Scrutiny Commission Minutes Received

The minutes of the Scrutiny Commission meeting held on 12 March 2026 were received for information. These covered a range of topics including pesticide use, the Affordable Housing Annual Report, and various housing policies.

This week in Hinckley and Bosworth:

Council Finances Under Scrutiny: Audit Committee Reviews Annual Report and Accounts

The Audit Committee met on Wednesday 1 April 2026 to review the council's financial health and governance. A key focus was the draft Audit Committee Annual Report for 2024/2025. While the report highlighted a positive Value for Money conclusion from external auditors, Azets, it also noted a significant delay in the external audit opinion on the council's Statement of Accounts. This delay is attributed to a national backlog, with full recovery not expected until 2027/28. This could impact the timely availability of crucial financial information for residents and stakeholders.

The committee also approved the Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement for 2024/2025, subject to the completion of the external audit. Delegated authority was given to the Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor DS Cope, to approve the final accounts once the audit is complete.

Concerns were raised about the capacity within the finance team to manage external audit processes effectively. Officers confirmed that this issue is being addressed. The committee also reviewed the Audit Committee Forward Plan for 2025-2026, noting ongoing collaboration with the Scrutiny Commission to ensure alignment in their work.

• What this means for you: While the council is working to ensure its financial statements are accurate, the delays in external audit opinions mean that the full picture of the council's financial performance for the last financial year may not be available as quickly as usual. This can affect transparency and public trust.
• Find out more: Audit Committee meeting on 1 April 2026

Upcoming Council Decisions: Land Sales and a Year of Reading Initiative

The full Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 14 April 2026, with several important decisions on the agenda.

Land Sales for Development and Housing

The council is being asked to approve the freehold disposal of Plot 22 on the Harrowbrook Industrial Estate. This sale is expected to generate a capital receipt of £203,288 and aligns with the council's aim to promote economic development.

Additionally, the council will consider the sale of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) land at Warwick Close / St Peters Drive in Thornton. This land is intended to facilitate the development of affordable housing on an adjacent site. The proposed sale price is £275,000, with an overage provision [^1] to ensure additional payments to the council if future development exceeds initial plans. This initiative supports the council's objective to increase the availability of affordable housing. However, ward members have expressed concerns about potential increases in traffic, road safety, and noise impacts on local residents.

Supporting Literacy Through a Year of Reading

A motion will be presented to support the national Year of Reading initiative. This campaign aims to improve literacy skills, particularly for early years children, boys aged 10 to 16, and disadvantaged communities. The motion highlights the crucial link between reading proficiency and improved educational outcomes, employment prospects, and overall wellbeing. If adopted, the council would champion reading across the borough, potentially through activities like a story writing competition, book exchanges, and library promotions.

• What this means for you: These land sales could lead to new economic activity and much-needed affordable housing. The Year of Reading initiative, if supported, could bring new opportunities for residents to engage with reading and improve their literacy skills, with a particular focus on those who may benefit most.
• Find out more: Council meeting on 14 April 2026

This week, the Hinckley and Bosworth Council held one meeting: the Audit Committee on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. This meeting was significant, focusing on financial accountability and internal controls.

Audit Committee Overview

The Audit Committee's session was crucial, addressing several key financial and governance issues. Here’s a breakdown of the major discussions and their implications:

1. Unaudited Statement of Accounts 2021-2023

The council reviewed the unaudited statement of accounts for the financial years 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. These accounts have not been signed off due to capacity issues within the external auditors across England. The council is awaiting guidance from central government on the wording for a special type of opinion to be issued.

Although they're waiting for the wording, what, to give an assurance, what they do need is a value for money assessment, noted during the meeting.

The council's internal auditors confirmed no fundamental issues with internal control systems, providing some reassurance despite the delays.

2. Section 106 Planning Obligations

The committee reviewed an internal audit report on Section 106 planning obligations, which are agreements made between local authorities and developers to mitigate the impact of new developments. The report received a moderate assurance opinion, with two medium and two low priority recommendations to tighten controls and ensure compliance.

This section 106 planning obligations report is the last report from the 2022-2023 internal audit plan to be issued, stated Sarah Knowles from Maseras, the internal auditors.

The council acknowledged the importance of these recommendations and committed to implementing them to improve oversight and accountability.

3. Internal Audit Annual Report 2022-2023

The committee received the internal audit annual report, which summarized the work done over the past year. The overall assurance opinion was moderate, indicating that while there are areas for improvement, the council's internal controls are generally effective.

Every audit in the plan received a moderate assurance level for this particular year, highlighted in the report.

This moderate assurance is a positive indicator, reflecting the council's ongoing efforts to maintain robust financial controls and governance practices.

Implications and Themes

The discussions this week underscore a recurring theme of financial accountability and governance. The delay in the audited accounts highlights the broader issue of capacity constraints within external audit firms, a challenge faced by many councils across England. The council's proactive approach to addressing internal audit recommendations, particularly regarding Section 106 obligations, demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement and transparency.

The internal audit annual report's moderate assurance rating is a testament to the council's effective internal controls, though it also indicates areas where further enhancements can be made. This aligns with the broader theme of proactive governance and continuous improvement, which we have observed in previous council activities.

As always, we will continue to monitor these developments and their impacts on the community.

This week, the Hinckley and Bosworth Council held two meetings: the Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee on Monday, May 20, 2024 and the Executive meeting on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. The most impactful discussions took place in the Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee meeting.

Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee Overview

The main focus of this meeting was the new complaints policy, driven by recent changes from the Housing Ombudsman and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. These changes are significant for several reasons:

1. New Complaints Policy

The council approved a new complaints policy to comply with the Housing Ombudsman code, which is already in effect, and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman code, which will be mandatory by April 1, 2025. Key changes include:

• Timelines: Stricter deadlines for acknowledging and responding to complaints.
• Annual Report Content: Enhanced detail and transparency in reporting.
• Feedback to Ombudsman: More comprehensive information to be provided.

The council must appoint a member responsible for complaints, recommended to be the executive member for corporate services. This move aims to streamline the complaints process and ensure accountability.

The policy was moved by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Crook, and it was approved, as noted in the meeting.

2. Membership Changes

The committee saw changes in its membership, with Councillor O'Shea stepping down and Councillor Green joining. Additionally, several councillors substituted for others, ensuring continuity in representation and decision-making.

3. Procedural Matters

The meeting also involved approving the minutes of the previous meeting, with a minor correction. There were no declarations of interest or urgent business, and the session concluded with a procedural motion to enter a private session under section 100A4 of the Local Government Act 1972.

Executive Meeting Overview

The Executive meeting was brief but focused on crucial aspects of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023.

1. Social Housing Regulation Act 2023

The council discussed and approved measures to comply with the new regulations, which include:

• Tenant Satisfaction Measures: These measures, which also cover landlord performance, must be published and communicated to tenants by June 30th.
• Legislative Compliance: The council's progress in meeting new legislative requirements was noted and approved.

The recommendations related to the Social Housing Regulation Act were moved by Mark and seconded by Martin, and were unanimously approved, as recorded in the meeting.

2. IT System Investment

A significant concern was raised about the need for capital investment in IT systems to meet the new regulatory requirements. The current housing management system is inadequate, necessitating workarounds that are not sustainable long-term.

Implications and Themes

The discussions this week highlight a recurring theme of regulatory compliance and tenant-centric governance, which we've discussed before. The new complaints policy and the measures under the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023 both aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and tenant satisfaction. These changes will likely require significant adjustments in council operations and resource allocation, particularly in IT infrastructure.

As always, we will continue to monitor these developments and their impacts on the community.