This week in Leicester:

St. Mary's Birth Centre Closure Sparks Concern for Mothers and Babies

The future of maternity services in the region took centre stage at the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Health Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday 23 February 2026. A key discussion point was the decision to pause births and postnatal inpatient services at St. Mary's Birth Centre in Melton Mowbray. While the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board (LLR ICB) is considering relocating services to Leicester General Hospital, residents are voicing significant concerns about access and continuity of care, particularly for those in rural areas.

The report presented highlighted that the pause was due to concerns over safe staffing and declining birth numbers, with only 92 births at the centre in the year prior to the pause. However, an engagement process with affected patients and staff revealed that women valued the postnatal care and breastfeeding support offered at St. Mary's. Feedback indicated that women felt their healthcare needs were being cast aside, with a strong sentiment that public sentiment in the surrounding areas was not being sufficiently taken into account. The potential impact on mothers and newborns, especially those in rural communities, is a significant concern, as is the question of how the LLR ICB will ensure their healthcare needs are met.

The meeting also included a session for public questions, where concerns were raised about the Palantir Federated Data Platform, the Our Future Hospitals review, and the impact of digitisation on GP access.

For more details, please refer to the summary of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Health Scrutiny Committee meeting on Monday 23 February 2026.

Council Approves Significant Budget and Capital Investments Amidst Financial Pressures

Leicester City Council's Council meeting on Wednesday 25 February 2026 saw the approval of the budget for the upcoming year, including significant capital investments and a council tax increase. The decisions reflect the council's efforts to balance its finances while continuing to deliver essential services.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget and Capital Programme

The council approved the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2026/27, which includes a proposed rent increase of 4.8% for core rents, garage rents, and service charges. This increase aims to address financial pressures, including legislative changes and inflation. However, a significant reduction in District Heating charges was also approved, with a 16% decrease in the variable charge and a 22% reduction in fixed metered charges. A capital maintenance programme of £11.66 million for 2026/27 was also greenlit, focusing on essential works like kitchen and bathroom refurbishments and boiler replacements. Tenant consultations indicated concerns about affordability due to the cost of living crisis, but there was support for the heating charge reductions and the capital programme.

Capital Programme 2026-27

A substantial three-year capital programme for 2026/27 to 2028/29, totalling £229.43 million for the General Fund, was approved. This programme will fund investments across various services, including:

• Grant-funded schemes (£143.66m): This includes significant funding for schools, highways maintenance, active travel, and disabled facilities.
• Own Buildings (£17.86m): Investment in operational estate maintenance, IT, and specialist supported living schemes.
• Temporary Accommodation Acquisitions (£50.00m): A crucial investment to address the growing demand for housing for homeless households.
• Routine Works (£13.3m): Funding for essential maintenance and improvements.

This capital programme aims to support the council's climate emergency commitments, improve city infrastructure, and address critical needs.

Revenue Budget 2026/27

The General Fund Revenue Budget for 2026/27 was approved, alongside a three-year budget strategy. This strategy includes a council tax increase of just under 5% for Band D properties, which includes a 2% precept for Adult Social Care. Limited additional investment is planned for priority areas, including a team to manage Ash Die Back and a team to tackle anti-social behaviour. Growth in Adult Social Care and Children's Services budgets is planned to address increasing costs due to demographics and inflation. Further investment in temporary accommodation and homelessness prevention is also proposed.

Treasury and Investment Strategies 2026/27

The council also approved its Treasury Policy, Treasury Management Strategy, and Investment Strategy for 2026/27. These strategies govern the council's financial management, focusing on minimising costs while maintaining liquidity and managing risk. The strategies outline the approach to borrowing and investing, with a priority on security and liquidity.

For more details on these significant financial decisions, please refer to the summary of the Council meeting on Wednesday 25 February 2026.

Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee Meets

The Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee met on Tuesday 24 February 2026. The agenda included a report concerning the continued entitlement of a Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licence. This report was restricted due to containing sensitive information, as per the Local Government Act 1972. The Sub-Committee also confirmed the minutes of its previous meeting.

For more information, please refer to the summary of the Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday 24 February 2026.

North Evington Community Meeting Held

The North Evington Community Meeting took place on Monday 23 February 2026. The agenda included discussions on the Ward Community Budget, local policing updates from Leicestershire Police, highways matters, and an update from City Wardens. There was also a planned discussion on housing matters and feedback from local ward councillors.

For more information, please refer to the summary of the North Evington Community Meeting on Monday 23 February 2026.

Upcoming Meetings

• Monday 02 March 2026: The Knighton Community Meeting is scheduled to discuss local issues including highways, policing, and the Ward Community Budget. View meeting details
• Monday 02 March 2026: The Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider an application for a variation of an existing premises licence at Jas News & Booze. View meeting details
• Wednesday 04 March 2026: The Planning and Development Control Committee is scheduled to consider planning applications at 20A Vulcan Road, 172 Fosse Road North, and 38 South Kingsmead Road. View meeting details
• Thursday 05 March 2026: The Culture and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to discuss updates on Museums Service operational changes, selective licensing schemes, and the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for outer city areas. View meeting details
• Thursday 05 March 2026: The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to receive updates on children and young people's services, adult mental health, and the Changing Futures initiative. View meeting details
• Thursday 05 March 2026: The Beaumont Leys Community Meeting is scheduled to cover local policing, highways, housing, and the ward community budget. View meeting details
• Tuesday 10 March 2026: The Licensing and Public Safety Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Wednesday 11 March 2026: The Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Thursday 12 March 2026: The Adult Social Care Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet. View meeting details

This week in Leicester:

Balloon Festival Plans Spark Controversy: Residents Raise Safety and Nuisance Concerns

Plans for a large-scale Leicester Balloon Festival at Victoria Park have ignited significant public concern, with residents and local groups raising serious objections about potential safety risks and neighbourhood disruption. The application for a new premises licence, considered by the Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee on Wednesday 18 February 2026, proposed an annual weekend event in June featuring hot air balloon launches, live music, fireworks, and alcohol sales.

The event, organised by Show Time Events Group Ltd, aimed to accommodate up to 9,999 attendees and operate until 10:30 pm. However, the proposal attracted numerous objections from the Licensing Enforcement team, the Noise and Pollution Control Team, and thirteen members of the public. Concerns centred on the safety of balloon launches in an urban setting, potential noise pollution, traffic congestion, litter, and the impact on public access to the park, particularly during bird nesting season.

Friends of Clarendon Park, among other objectors, voiced worries about past incidents involving balloons and the extended closure of the park. Some residents felt that more remote locations would be more suitable for such an event.

Despite these widespread concerns, the applicant had agreed to a comprehensive set of conditions proposed by council officers to mitigate potential issues. These conditions aimed to address public safety, crime and disorder, and public nuisance. The Sub-Committee, which included Councillor Ted Cassidy MBE, Councillor Scott Kennedy-Lount, and Councillor Karen Pickering, had to weigh these conditions against the significant public objections. The outcome of this decision will directly affect the local environment and the quality of life for residents living near Victoria Park.

For more details, please refer to the summary of the Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday 18 February 2026.

Council's Financial Health Under Scrutiny: Accounts and Audit Reports Presented

Leicester City Council's financial integrity and reporting processes were under the microscope at the Governance and Audit Committee meeting on Tuesday 17 February 2026. The committee reviewed the council's statutory statement of accounts and annual governance statement for the 2024/25 financial year, alongside an update from external auditors Grant Thornton.

The statutory accounts are crucial documents that detail the council's financial performance and position. Their approval by the Governance and Audit Committee, and subsequent signing by the Chief Operating Officer and City Mayor, assures the public that the council operates lawfully and safeguards public funds. The agenda highlighted that the council must publish its audited statement of accounts by 28 February 2026, with deadlines becoming progressively earlier in future years.

Delays in the audit were attributed to the implementation of IFRS 16, a standard relating to leases, which has impacted other local government bodies. The Director of Finance, Amy Oliver, was scheduled to present these statements, and the committee was also to consider a Letter of Representation, providing assurance to the external auditors.

Grant Thornton's annual report provided an independent assessment of the council's financial reporting and internal controls. The auditors noted significant weaknesses in the council's arrangements for securing economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in its use of resources. This finding is particularly important for residents, as it points to potential areas where public money might not be managed as efficiently as possible. The report also indicated an anticipated unqualified financial statements audit opinion, meaning the accounts themselves are likely to be deemed accurate, despite the identified weaknesses in resource management.

For more information on these critical financial matters, please refer to the summary of the Governance and Audit Committee meeting on Tuesday 17 February 2026.

Employees Committee Addresses Appeals in Private

The Employees Committee (Appeals) met on Tuesday 17 February 2026. While the meeting took place, no detailed summary or transcript is available as the information is pending council publication. Appeals committees often deal with sensitive personnel matters, and discussions are frequently held in private to protect the privacy of individuals involved. The attendees included Councillor Mohammed Dawood, Councillor Elaine Pantling, and Councillor Geoff Whittle.

For more information, please refer to the summary of the Employees Committee (Appeals) meeting on Tuesday 17 February 2026.

Upcoming Meetings

• Tuesday 24 February 2026: The Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet to determine the continued entitlement for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Driver's Licences. View meeting details
• Monday 23 February 2026: The North Evington Community Meeting is scheduled to discuss local issues including policing, highways, city wardens, housing, and the Ward Community Budget. View meeting details
• Monday 23 February 2026: The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Health Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Monday 23 February 2026: The Council is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Thursday 05 March 2026: The Culture and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Thursday 05 March 2026: The Health and Wellbeing Board is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Thursday 05 March 2026: The Beaumont Leys Community Meeting is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Wednesday 04 March 2026: The Planning and Development Control Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Tuesday 03 March 2026: The Children, Young People and Education Scrutiny Commission is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Monday 02 March 2026: The Knighton Community Meeting is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Monday 02 March 2026: The Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details

This week in Leicester:

Community Meetings Address Local Concerns and Ward Budgets

Several community meetings took place this week, offering residents a platform to discuss local issues and engage with their councillors. The Saffron Community Meeting on Monday 09 February 2026 and the Castle Community Meeting on Thursday 12 February 2026 both featured discussions on the Ward Community Budget. This budget is a vital resource for funding local projects and initiatives that directly benefit residents, and its allocation is a key concern for many.

In Saffron, Councillor Ted Cassidy MBE and Councillor Elly Cutkelvin, who also serves as Deputy City Mayor for Housing, Economy, and Neighbourhoods, were among the attendees. The meeting was set to include updates from ward councillors, Leicestershire Police, City Wardens, and the Highways department, alongside the crucial discussion on the Ward Community Budget.

Similarly, the Castle ward meeting, attended by councillors Mick Gregg, Patrick Kitterick, and Liz Sahu, was scheduled to cover local policing, festivals and events, cleansing services, city wardens, and highways. The allocation of the Ward Community Budget was also a central item on this agenda. These meetings are essential for ensuring that local government remains responsive to the needs and priorities of its residents, particularly in areas like housing and community safety.

While the specific decisions made regarding the Ward Community Budgets are not detailed in the provided information, these discussions highlight the council's commitment to empowering local communities through direct financial support for grassroots projects.

For more information on the Saffron Community Meeting, please refer to the summary of the Saffron Community Meeting on Monday 09 February 2026. For details on the Castle Community Meeting, see the summary of the Castle Community Meeting on Thursday 12 February 2026.

Standards Advisory Board Reviews Code of Conduct Complaint

The Standards Advisory Board met on Monday 09 February 2026 to consider a report detailing findings from an investigation into a Code of Conduct complaint against a councillor. The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented the available materials for the Board's review.

The Board's role is to uphold the council's Code of Conduct, ensuring that councillors adhere to ethical standards. Decisions made by this committee can have significant implications for public trust in local government and the accountability of elected officials. The meeting included a private session to discuss exempt information, as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, which allows for the exclusion of the public and press when sensitive matters are being discussed. This ensures that personal information and ongoing investigations are handled with appropriate confidentiality.

For more details on this matter, please refer to the summary of the Standards Advisory Board meeting on Monday 09 February 2026.

Other Matters

The Planning and Development Control Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday 11 February 2026 was cancelled.

The Corporate Parenting Board met on Tuesday 10 February 2026. The details of this meeting are pending council publication.

The Conservation Advisory Panel met on Wednesday 11 February 2026. The details of this meeting are pending scraping.

The Thurncourt Community Meeting scheduled for Tuesday 10 February 2026 was cancelled.

Upcoming Meetings

• Tuesday 17 February 2026: The Employees Committee (Appeals) is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Tuesday 17 February 2026: The Governance and Audit Committee is scheduled to review the Statutory Statement of Accounts and Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25, as well as the External Audit Annual Report. View meeting details
• Wednesday 18 February 2026: The Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for the Leicester Balloon Festival and a licence transfer for the Dog House. View meeting details
• Monday 23 February 2026: The North Evington Community Meeting is scheduled to discuss local issues including policing, highways, city wardens, housing, and the Ward Community Budget. View meeting details
• Monday 23 February 2026: The Council is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Tuesday 24 February 2026: The Licensing Enforcement Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Monday 23 February 2026: The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Joint Health Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details

This week in Leicester:

Late-Night Refreshment Application Sparks Public Nuisance Concerns

Leicester's Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee met on Wednesday 04 February 2026 to consider a new premises licence application for 261 Express, located at 261 Hinckley Road, Leicester. The application sought permission for late-night refreshment until midnight and alcohol sales until the same hour, seven days a week.

The application drew three representations from local residents, who raised concerns about potential increases in noise, litter, and anti-social behaviour. Specific worries included the impact of street drinkers and the general effect on the quality of life in a residential area. The proximity of schools and a mosque was also highlighted as a factor in their concerns.

To address these issues, the applicant proposed measures such as a CCTV system, a refusal register, and clear signage for customers to leave quietly. For the protection of children, they suggested limiting unaccompanied children to three at any one time and displaying Challenge 25 notices.

The Sub-Committee, which included Councillor Diane Cank, Councillor Ted Cassidy MBE, and Councillor Dr Susan Barton, had to weigh these proposals against the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder, public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm. The decision on whether to grant the licence, with or without conditions, or to refuse it, will directly impact the local community and the character of the neighbourhood.

For more details, please refer to the summary of the Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee meeting on Wednesday 04 February 2026.

Fosse Neighbourhood Centre's Future Discussed Amidst Local Updates

The Fosse Community Meeting took place on Thursday 05 February 2026, with a key item on the agenda being the future of the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre on Mantle Road. While the specific outcomes of the discussion are not yet public, the agenda indicates that attendees, including Councillor Susan Waddington and Councillor Syed Zaman, considered reports related to the centre's ongoing operations and potential future plans. The future of community hubs like the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre is vital for providing local services and a focal point for residents, particularly for vulnerable groups who may rely on them for support and social connection.

The meeting also included an update on highways matters, which could affect local infrastructure and resident travel. Furthermore, discussions around the community ward budget are crucial for understanding how local funds are allocated to projects that benefit the neighbourhood. Updates from Leicestershire Police and City Wardens were also on the agenda, providing insights into local safety and community initiatives.

For more information on the topics discussed, please refer to the summary of the Fosse Community Meeting on Thursday 05 February 2026.

Standards Committee Meets Amidst Ongoing Code of Conduct Investigations

The Standards Committee met on Tuesday 03 February 2026. While the detailed minutes and outcomes of this meeting are pending publication, the committee's role is to uphold the council's Code of Conduct for councillors. This often involves investigating complaints and ensuring that councillors adhere to ethical standards. Decisions made by this committee can have significant implications for public trust in local government and the accountability of elected officials.

For more information, please refer to the summary of the Standards Committee meeting on Tuesday 03 February 2026.

Other Matters

The Overview Select Committee met on Monday 02 February 2026. The transcript for this meeting is available, but no detailed summary has been published.

Upcoming Meetings

• Monday 09 February 2026: The Standards Advisory Board is scheduled to consider a report detailing findings from an investigation into a Code of Conduct complaint against a councillor. View meeting details
• Tuesday 10 February 2026: The Corporate Parenting Board is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Tuesday 10 February 2026: The Thurncourt Community Meeting was scheduled to meet but has been cancelled. View meeting details
• Wednesday 11 February 2026: The Planning and Development Control Committee meeting has been cancelled. View meeting details
• Wednesday 11 February 2026: The Conservation Advisory Panel is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Thursday 12 February 2026: The Castle Community Meeting is scheduled to discuss local issues including policing, cleansing, highways, and community events, with a focus on the Ward Community Budget. View meeting details
• Monday 16 February 2026: The Employees Committee (Appeals) is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Tuesday 17 February 2026: The Governance and Audit Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details
• Wednesday 18 February 2026: The Licensing (Hearings) Sub-Committee is scheduled to meet. View meeting details