The Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council meeting on Tuesday 4 August 2026 saw councillors discuss the council's achievements over the past year and its financial outturn. The meeting included a discussion on the financial outturn for 2025/26 and the appointment of a new representative to the JCC Foundation Trust.

Leader of the Council's Position Statement

Councillor S.L. Bray, Leader of the Council, presented a comprehensive statement highlighting the council's successes and ongoing priorities. He began by congratulating the council on winning three awards: a silver award at the Local Government Chronicle awards for the Housing and Respiratory project, a Highly Commended at the East Midlands RTPI awards for Sullivan Archer in the Young Planner of the Year category, and the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award from the Leicester Employment Hub. Councillor Bray also announced the launch of a new staff recognition scheme to acknowledge officers who demonstrate the council's values.

He reaffirmed the council's commitment to tackling the climate emergency and supporting nature recovery, noting that this commitment remains strong even as other organisations scale back their environmental efforts. Initiatives such as Biodiversity Net Gain and the habitat bank at Burbage Common were highlighted as examples of turning ambition into action. Councillor Bray also spoke about the success of the council's events programme, including Feast Hinckley and the Snapdragon Festival, which draw large crowds and showcase the borough as a vibrant and family-friendly place. He also touched upon the council's work with young people, including engagement with over 1,000 young people in the first quarter of the year and attendance at careers fairs to promote local government careers.

Councillor Bray addressed concerns regarding the government's asylum dispersal programme, stating that council officers are in regular contact with Serco and the Home Office to raise resident concerns, despite the council having no decision-making power in the scheme. He also reported on recent executive decisions, including positive tenant satisfaction scores and the adoption of new strategies and policies.

A significant announcement was the upcoming borough-wide Article 4 Direction, which aims to give the council more say in the location of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to ensure balanced neighbourhoods. This is not intended to prevent development but to allow for proper assessment of the impact on local communities. The new Community Asset Transfer policy was also mentioned, providing a framework for community organisations to manage council-owned buildings and land. Finally, Councillor Bray thanked officers and the public for their support during the recent heatwave and welcomed the news of a new banking hub coming to Hinckley town centre, which will provide vital face-to-face banking services. He concluded by congratulating the Green Spaces team and volunteers for Hollycroft Park and Argents Mead retaining their Green Flag awards.

Summary of Achievements to the Corporate Plan 2025-2026

Council was presented with a report detailing key corporate achievements against the Corporate Plan 2025-2026. The report highlighted significant progress across the People, Places, and Prosperity themes.

Under the People theme, achievements included the decarbonisation of sheltered housing schemes, the collection of over £136 million in Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates, and the purchase of 31 new homes to expand the council's housing stock. The redevelopment of Peggs Close in Earl Shilton to create 18 new council homes was also noted. The council's Homelessness Prevention Policy was adopted and the General Fund acquisition programme was established to improve temporary accommodation. Welfare support services assisted 1,506 residents, and the Warm Welcome project provided over 138 sessions weekly, with 25,300 visits. The council also worked with partners to deliver local skills and employment programmes, engaging with 875 young people at careers events and supporting the annual TeenTech event. Initiatives to support workplace health and deliver preventative health interventions were also detailed, including the implementation of Awaab's Law damp and mould processes and the delivery of ESCAPE-pain courses. The council also saw record footfall at Hinckley Leisure Centre, with over 895,000 visits.

In the Places theme, the council progressed the new Local Plan, with over 800 representations received during the Regulation 18 consultation. Performance targets for planning applications were met, and the council received recognition at the East Midlands RTPI awards. The new Open Space Strategy was adopted, and capital improvements were delivered across parks and green spaces. The Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange proposal was discussed, with council objections noted. Campaigns on litter, fly-tipping, and dog fouling were delivered, alongside enforcement actions. A new food waste collection service was implemented, and over 110,000 trees have been distributed through the free tree scheme. The council also supported parishes in installing EV chargers and secured Green Flag status for Hollycroft Park and Argents Mead.

Under the Prosperity theme, the council allocated £850,584 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding to 20 projects. The Economic Regeneration Strategy 2026-2029 was discussed, and the council continued to support expansion at MIRA Technology Park. Work with partners to boost training, employment, and housing opportunities was ongoing, and construction of the National Conservation Centre at Twycross Zoo was well underway. The council also provided advice and support services to local businesses through the Economic Regeneration News e-newsletter and Business Network events.

Financial Outturn 2025-26

Councillor K.W.P. Lynch, Executive Member for Finance, ICT & Asset Management, presented the financial outturn for 2025/26. The report indicated a net underspend of £485,000 against the revised budget. This was largely due to savings in refuse and recycling, and increased income from various sources, offset by additional external audit fees and legal costs.

The report detailed significant carry-forwards of £1,138,202 for contractual commitments and grants, which will be funded in the 2026/27 financial year. Additional budgets totalling £417,500 were requested for new grants and confirmed funding, including £108,000 related to asylum accommodation to address increased demand on frontline services.

The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) showed a surplus of £138,374 against a budgeted deficit, attributed to a reduction in contributions to the bad debt provision and savings in gas and electricity. HRA reserves increased by £345,000, placing the HRA in a stronger financial position.

The Capital Programme saw £7.376 million spent against a budget of £10.307 million for the General Fund, with carry-forwards requested for temporary housing properties and upgrades to the Jubilee building. For the HRA, £14.671 million was spent against a budget of £15.716 million, with underspends related to repairs programmes and affordable housing development.

During the debate, councillors noted the positive financial position and welcomed the capital spend on housing. Concerns were raised about the transparency of wording in relation to write-offs and the imperative to spend earmarked reserves within the year due to local government reorganisation.

Appointment to Charitable Body: JCC Foundation Trust

Councillor K.W.P. Lynch was proposed and seconded as the council's representative to the JCC Foundation Trust for a term of three years. This appointment followed the expiry of David Bill's term of office. The motion was carried unanimously.