The Council of Hinckley and Bosworth Council met on Tuesday 14 July 2026, approving a £2.5 million programme to acquire one-bedroom properties for temporary accommodation and authorising the publication of the Local Plan for public consultation. The meeting unanimously supported the temporary accommodation initiative, which aims to reduce reliance on costly nightly-paid placements and improve housing standards for single homeless households. Councillors also debated and ultimately approved the Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation, despite an amendment to remove a specific employment site allocation being defeated.

General Fund Temporary Accommodation Property Acquisition Programme – Phase 3

The council unanimously approved the use of up to £2.5 million from its capital programme to acquire between 10 to 15 one-bedroom properties. These properties will be used as self-contained temporary accommodation, aiming to reduce the council's reliance on expensive nightly-paid placements. A revenue budget of up to £384,250 was also approved to cover the operational costs of the scheme, with a matching income budget.

Councillor LJ Mullaney, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety, presented the report, highlighting the increasing pressure on temporary accommodation, particularly for single households. She stated that owning these properties would give the council more control over the standard of accommodation and offer more stable placements for residents. The scheme is projected to generate annual savings of between £219,000 and £273,750, depending on the number of properties acquired.

During the debate, councillors welcomed the initiative. Councillor MA Cook asked for clarification on whether occupants would face the same restrictions as those in existing council stock, to which Councillor Mullaney confirmed the rules would be similar, operating under a licence agreement. Councillor C Lambert praised the approach, emphasising the need for robust housing management services, which Councillor Mullaney confirmed would be an extension of existing dedicated staffing resources. Councillor MB Cartwright highlighted the benefit of acquiring assets over paying for bed and breakfast accommodation and stressed the importance of maintaining high standards. Councillor MJ Crooks inquired about the type of properties and whether they would be new builds or purchased on the open market, with Councillor Mullaney explaining they would primarily be flats, reflecting market availability, and located near amenities and transport links. Councillors Dr R Webber-Jones and RG Allen congratulated the team on the initiative, noting the significant improvement it would offer to residents experiencing homelessness. Councillor Dr JR Moore described the scheme as old-fashioned municipal enterprise offering public benefit to both residents and the council, and questioned the potential for further expansion. Councillor SL Bray, Leader of the Council, reiterated the importance of the scheme for individuals facing homelessness and clarified that these properties are for residents on the housing waiting list and not part of the government's asylum dispersal programme.

The motion to approve the report was moved by Councillor Mullaney and seconded by Councillor Bray. All councillors present voted in favour, making the decision unanimous.

Local Plan Regulation 19 Consultation

The council approved the publication of the Hinckley & Bosworth Local Plan (proposed submission version) for public consultation under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Plan) (England) Regulations 2012. The consultation period will run for a minimum of six weeks from August 2026. Authority was delegated to the Assistant Director Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning, to make minor changes to the published version of the plan and associated documents.

Councillor WJ Crooks, Executive Member for Planning, presented the report, explaining that the Local Plan sets out a strategy to deliver 15,687 dwellings and 65 hectares of employment land by 2045. He emphasised that progressing the plan is crucial for the borough to ensure planned development and to prevent government intervention. The plan is on a tight timescale to meet the government's guidelines for submission to the Secretary of State by December 2026.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor C Lambert, seconded by Councillor C Harris, to remove Policy PS17, relating to site MARK004 (Land at Cliffe Hill Farm, Junction 22, Markfield), from the draft Local Plan. The amendment sought further evidence gathering and assessment before any future consideration of this site, citing concerns about the need for the allocation, alternative sites, cumulative impacts, and alignment with the Markfield Neighbourhood Plan. Councillor Lambert argued that the proposed allocation had not been supported by sufficient evidence and that the amendment would allow for more robust justification.

The mover and seconder of the original motion indicated they would not accept the amendment. Following a debate, the amendment was put to a vote and lost, with four votes in favour.

During the debate on the substantive motion, Councillor MJ Crooks raised a point regarding the naming of a site allocation north of Barton Road, Barlestone, suggesting it should be referred to as Osbaston. It was agreed that this would be reviewed. Concerns were also raised about the proposed Earl Shilton Sustainable Urban Extension (SUE) and its integration with the existing town, the amount of housing allocated to the west of Hinckley, the closure and lack of progress on reopening the Ivanhoe Line, and the disproportionate allocations for Markfield and Field Head.

Councillors expressed frustration with government-imposed housing targets, which limit the council's control over land allocation. However, they thanked the officers for their extensive work on the Local Plan, acknowledging the challenges posed by changing government methodologies and targets.

The original motion to approve the Local Plan for public consultation was moved by Councillor WJ Crooks and seconded by Councillor SL Bray. The motion was carried, with all councillors voting in favour.