This week in Leicestershire:

Pension Fund Faces Growing Workload Amidst Regulatory Changes and External Pressures

Leicestershire's Local Pension Board met on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, to discuss the increasing administrative workload impacting the Pension Fund. The board reviewed the Pension Fund Administration Report, highlighting challenges in meeting key performance indicators (KPIs) for issuing communications and processing transfers. These delays, while not yet critical, could lead to a less efficient service for members.

The board also received an update on the Fit for the Future reforms, a significant regulatory overhaul for Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS). These reforms, which became law on 30 June 2026, introduce new requirements for governance and administration. While Leicestershire Pension Fund, through its co-ownership of LGPS Central, is already compliant with many aspects, the implementation of new roles like the Senior LGPS Officer and an Independent Person by December 2026 will require careful management. Councillor Andrew Innes sought clarification on the independence of the Senior LGPS Officer role, with officers confirming it must be a dedicated position within the pension fund team, not combined with other senior leadership roles.

The Pension Fund Annual Report and Accounts for 2025/26 were presented, showing total assets of over £7.4 billion. While the fund's financial performance remains strong, with a funding position of 140%, concerns were raised about the report's length and complexity. Dr. Dee North CC suggested including more trend analysis to better understand performance over time. The board also discussed the risk register, noting that while no red risks were identified, there are ongoing challenges with meeting targets and deadlines, particularly concerning regulatory compliance and the cumulative delivery risk of transformation programmes like McCloud and Pension Dashboards. This suggests a potential for future issues if current pressures are not managed proactively.

• Link to Meeting: Local Pension Board

Member Conduct Panel Meets Amidst Confidential Complaints

The Member Conduct Panel convened on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, to consider complaints made under the Leicestershire County Council Members' Code of Conduct. Due to the sensitive nature of these complaints, the meeting was held in private, with the press and public excluded. This is in line with Part 5(a) of the Leicestershire County Council Constitution and the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of information that is confidential, exempt, personal, or sensitive.

While the specific details of the complaints remain confidential, the panel's role is crucial in upholding the ethical standards expected of elected councillors. The exclusion of the public from such meetings is intended to protect the privacy of individuals involved and to ensure that sensitive matters can be discussed without prejudice. The outcomes of these discussions, however, will ultimately impact public trust and the perceived integrity of local governance.

• Link to Meeting: Member Conduct Panel

This week in Leicestershire:

Council Approves New Strategies for Trees and Domestic Abuse, But Local Government Reorganisation Sparks Disagreement 🌳💔

Leicestershire County Council's Cabinet met on Tuesday, 21 July 2026, to make significant decisions on environmental strategy, community safety, and the future structure of local government. While a refreshed Tree Management Strategy and a new Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy were approved, the ongoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proved to be a point of contention, with one councillor expressing strong opposition to the proposed unitary authority model.

Greener Future: Council Embraces Tree Management Strategy

The Cabinet unanimously approved the refreshed Tree Management Strategy 2026-2031. This strategy outlines the council's commitment to managing its trees and woodlands, aiming to conserve these vital natural assets, ensure public safety, and contribute to the ambitious goal of planting one million trees by 2032. Councillor Kevin Crook, who proposed the motion, highlighted the environmental importance of trees, stating, Trees are, after all, nature's own solar powered carbon capture devices and rather more reliable than some of the expensive green schemes we've seen in recent years. Councillor Andrew Hamilton-Gray echoed this sentiment, expressing enthusiasm for the strategy's positive impact on local communities and biodiversity.

Tackling Domestic Abuse: A Coordinated Strategy for Safety

A new Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2026-2029 was also approved. This strategy, developed following a six-week consultation, aims to create a coordinated approach to reducing domestic abuse across Leicestershire. Councillor C. Pugsley, proposing the motion, emphasised the strategy's focus on prevention, collaboration, and evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes for victims. Councillor C. Abbott seconded, noting the strategy's importance in building safer and more resilient communities.

Local Government Reorganisation: Disagreement Over Unitary Proposals

The Cabinet received an update on the government's plans for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland. The decision was made to proceed with a two-unitary proposal, which includes a boundary modification. This decision will require a Structural Changes Order, subject to Parliamentary approval.

However, the outcome was met with strong criticism from Councillor H. Fowler, who stated, This was the wrong decision. The county's proposal offered a coherent, lower cost, lower risk path to the reorganisation. He argued that the chosen path was a political decision dressed up as a technical one and expressed concern about the impact on historic boundaries and community identity. Despite this disagreement, the Cabinet approved the establishment of voluntary joint committees to support the transition planning and authorised the Chief Executive to take necessary steps to protect the County Council's interests. This move towards a new local government structure could lead to significant changes in how services are delivered and how residents interact with their local authorities.

Strategic Plan Consultation Approved

The Cabinet also approved the draft Strategic Plan (2027-2031) for public consultation. This plan will set out the council's priorities and vision for the coming years, providing a framework during the transition to a new local government structure. Councillor Dan Harrison, Leader of the Council, stressed the importance of a clear and supported plan to ensure continuity and focus on delivering high-quality services. The consultation period will run from 27 July to 9 October 2026.

Treasury Management and Education Strategies Reviewed

The Annual Treasury Management Report 2025/26 was noted, highlighting a positive investment income and a significant reduction in the council's debt. Councillor H. Fowler praised the report, noting, Having the lowest debt position in 20 years for the Council was massive because of that £44 million payoff that we did. The final Belonging in Education Strategy 2026-2029 was also approved, aiming to ensure all children and young people feel a sense of belonging in their educational settings.

Local Plans for Blaby and Harborough Districts

The Cabinet agreed on the County Council's position regarding the Blaby District Council Local Plan consultation, supporting planned growth but raising concerns about transport infrastructure. Similarly, an update on the Harborough District Local Plan highlighted similar issues regarding transport impacts and infrastructure delivery. These discussions underscore the complex challenges of balancing development with essential infrastructure needs.

• Link to Meeting: Cabinet

Other Matters

Crisis and Resilience Fund Procurement Noted

The Cabinet noted the action taken by the Chief Executive to approve the procurement of two contracts related to the Crisis and Resilience Fund. This was necessary due to the absence of a June Cabinet meeting and the urgent need to establish services for residents facing hardship.

• Link to Meeting: Cabinet

This week in Leicestershire:

Council Faces Scrutiny Over Ethical Standards and Member Conduct ⚖️

Leicestershire County Council's Constitution and Ethics Committee met on Monday, 13 July 2026, to address a growing number of complaints regarding members' conduct and to review the council's ethical framework. The committee noted a significant increase in complaints, with 87 received between October 2025 and June 2026. These complaints ranged from social media comments and emails to allegations of bullying and disrepute.

A Surge in Complaints: Impact on Public Trust and Resources

The substantial rise in complaints has placed a strain on officer resources and necessitated the use of external investigators. A notable case involved four linked complaints against Mr Charles Whitford CC, which proceeded to a hearing where multiple breaches of the Code of Conduct were found, resulting in sanctions. The committee was asked to approve amendments to the complaints procedure and the Independent Persons Protocol, aiming to streamline the process and ensure fairness. The increased volume of complaints could lead to longer waiting times for investigations and resolutions, potentially impacting public confidence in the council's integrity.

The committee also reviewed social media guidance for members, ensuring it aligns with national standards. A new advice note was presented regarding monetised social media activity by members, highlighting that deriving income from platforms could constitute a disclosable pecuniary interest, with failure to register or disclose potentially leading to criminal offences. This serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and adherence to the Members' Code of Conduct, especially for those who engage in public-facing digital communication.

National Ethical Standards and the Council's Role

The committee received an update on proposed national changes to the local government ethical standards framework. These reforms, which include a mandatory code of conduct and formal standards committees, aim to strengthen accountability. The report also noted that since 29 June 2026, local authorities are no longer required to publish members' home addresses in public registers unless requested. Leicestershire County Council had already removed these addresses from its public website, a move that balances transparency with privacy concerns.

The committee also reviewed its own terms of reference and its role as a charity trustee, underscoring the broad responsibilities of local government in upholding ethical standards and managing public funds responsibly.

• Link to Meeting: Constitution and Ethics Committee

This week in Leicestershire:

Pension Fund Navigates Global Markets and Responsible Investment 🌍

Leicestershire County Council's Local Pension Committee met on Friday, 3 July 2026, to review the performance of the Pension Fund's investments and its commitment to responsible investment practices. The committee noted updates on LGPS Central, the investment pool managing a significant portion of the fund's assets, and discussed the ongoing integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into investment decisions.

Investment Performance and the Fit for the Future Reforms

The committee received an update on the valuation of the Pension Fund's investments as of 31 March 2026. Global markets delivered positive returns, with technology and AI themes driving equity performance. However, the Fund's overall investment performance for the past year was 2.2% below its benchmark, partly due to the performance of LGPS Central's global active equity product and private equity investments. Over the medium to longer term, returns remain positive.

A key focus was the Fit for the Future (FFTF) reforms, which mandate the consolidation of Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) assets into fewer, larger investment pools. Leicestershire's Pension Fund has approximately £4.6 billion invested with LGPS Central. The FFTF regulations, effective from 30 June 2026, require administering authorities to delegate investment strategy implementation to their pools and transfer all assets by 31 March 2027. LGPS Central is expanding to include fourteen LGPS funds, managing over £100 billion in assets.

Responsible Investment: ESG Integration and Voting Power

The committee reviewed the Fund's progress against its Responsible Investment (RI) Plan for 2026. Integrating financially material ESG factors into investment processes is considered a core fiduciary duty. The Fund's RI Plan focuses on themes such as good corporate governance, human rights, and climate risk.

The report detailed voting activity undertaken by LGPS Central on behalf of the Fund between January and March 2026, covering 9,992 resolutions. A significant proportion of votes against management (42%) were related to board structure, diversity, and climate risk management. Engagement activities by Legal and General Investment Management (LGIM) and the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum (LAPFF) were also highlighted, including specific company engagements on climate transparency and human rights.

Cash Management and Risk Register Updates

The committee noted the Fund's cash management strategy, which prioritises security and liquidity. As of 31 March 2026, the Fund held £505 million in cash, expected to reduce to approximately £235 million by March 2027 as capital calls for private market investments are made.

An updated risk register was presented and approved, categorising risks across investment, liability, employer, governance, operational, and regulatory areas. The report noted that the Fund's funding level was 140% as at the 2025 valuation, reducing the risk associated with employer contributions.

• Link to Meeting: Local Pension Committee

County Council Addresses Policing Concerns and Asylum Seeker Accommodation 🚨

Leicestershire County Council convened on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, to discuss pressing issues including frontline policing, the impact of asylum accommodation, and changes to local bus services. The council resolved to seek greater transparency from the Home Office regarding asylum accommodation and expressed concerns about the effectiveness of proposed private security patrols.

Prioritising Frontline Policing and Value for Money

The council supported the Police and Crime Panel's request for evidence regarding a proposed scheme to fund private security marshals. Councillors voiced concerns that private security contractors lack the powers of police officers and questioned whether the £2 million allocated from the Crime Prevention Fund reserve represents the best use of resources compared to investing in additional policing capacity. The Chief Executive was instructed to write to the Police and Crime Commissioner to convey the council's expectation of transparent, evidence-based decision-making for significant expenditure proposals.

Community Impact of Asylum Accommodation

A resolution was passed to write to the Home Secretary seeking greater transparency on asylum accommodation arrangements in Leicestershire. The council also requested information from the Home Office on asylum accommodation provision, including the use of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and their potential impact on council services. A report will be prepared for the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee to outline any anticipated impacts on local services. The council emphasised the importance of meaningful engagement and advance notification for local authorities when placements may significantly affect communities.

Bus Services in Wigston: Addressing Resident Concerns

The council noted significant recent changes to bus services in Wigston, citing poor consultation by the operator and the negative impact on residents, including longer journey times and increased costs. The council resolved to continue engaging with Arriva to request a review of the changes, taking residents' concerns into account. The council also committed to working via the Enhanced Bus Partnership to develop a community engagement approach for future bus service changes.

• Link to Meeting: County Council

Other Matters

• The County Council also resolved to request a report for the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee concerning the proposed future model of early years SEND advisory support, focusing on service quality, continuity, and workforce sustainability. The council also noted the information contained in the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26.