The North West Leicestershire District Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026 to discuss and approve the next steps for the Proposed North West Leicestershire Local Plan. The Council also received and noted the annual reports from the Audit and Governance Committee and on Member Conduct.

Proposed North West Leicestershire Local Plan (Regulation 19)

The Council approved the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan for a minimum six-week public consultation. This significant step allows the council to proceed towards examination of the plan, which will guide development in the district until 2042. Councillor Nicholas Rushton, Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, presented the report, highlighting the extensive work undertaken to reach this stage. Members acknowledged the progress and generally supported moving the plan to consultation, while also raising concerns about elements of the evidence base, particularly concerning transport modelling and strategic warehousing. Officers assured the Council that the plan was suitable for consultation, supported by external legal counsel, and that outstanding evidence would be available during the consultation period.

The Council agreed to the following recommendations:

• The Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan, Policies Map, and Sustainability Appraisal be approved for consultation.
• Following consultation, Full Council will consider representations received before deciding whether to submit the plan to the Secretary of State.
• Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, to make minor amendments to the Local Plan and Sustainability Appraisal before publication and submission.
• Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, to make amendments to specific policies (EC6, AP3, AP4, AP7, AP9, H4, H5, H10, and H11) and agree any revised Sustainability Appraisal prior to publication.
• Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, to agree the final content of the Local Plan appendices, including the glossary, monitoring framework, and housing trajectory.
• Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Infrastructure, to prepare and consult on main modifications to the Local Plan during the examination process, if required, to address issues of soundness.

Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report

Councillor Jenny Simmons, previous Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee, presented the Audit and Governance Committee Annual Report for 2025/26. Members expressed their support for the Committee's work, recognising its role in providing effective scrutiny and oversight of the Council's governance, risk management, and internal control arrangements. The report was noted by the Council.

Member Code of Conduct Annual Report

Councillor Jenny Simmons also presented the Member Code of Conduct Annual Report for 2025/26. This report summarised the work undertaken by the Audit and Governance Committee in relation to member conduct standards. The report was noted by the Council.