The Adults and Cultural Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Leicestershire County Council met on Monday 1 June 2026 to discuss the progress of the Care Quality Commission Improvement Plan, review performance reports for the 2025/26 financial year, and receive an introduction to new cultural services joining the department.

Care Quality Commission Assessment 2025, Improvement Plan Delivery Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the progress made in delivering the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Improvement Plan. This plan was developed following the CQC's assessment report in September 2025, which gave Leicestershire an overall rating of Requires Improvement. The report detailed ongoing actions to address identified areas for development, including improving the timeliness of assessments and reviews, enhancing access to information, advice, and guidance, and strengthening reablement and hospital discharge processes. The update was also to cover progress on the Carers Strategy, the sufficiency of provider services, and safeguarding measures. Furthermore, the report outlined the CQC's updated assessment approach, which places a greater emphasis on people's outcomes and experiences, including those of unpaid carers. The committee was to be informed about the characteristics of local authorities that have achieved outstanding and good assessment ratings, as a benchmark for future improvements.

Performance Report 2025/26 - Position at March 2026

This report provided an overview of the Adults and Cultural Services Department's performance for the 2025/26 financial year, up to March 2026. It covered key performance measures within Adult Social Care, including the number of new contacts received, the proportion of adults with learning disabilities living in their own homes, and the timeliness of assessments. The report was also set to detail performance in reablement services, admissions to residential or nursing care homes, and the use of direct payments for long-term community-based care. Additionally, it included findings from statutory surveys of people receiving social care services and carers, as well as data on safeguarding alerts and enquiries. Performance figures for Culture Leicestershire, encompassing libraries, museums, and heritage sites, were also scheduled for review, alongside the Adult Learning Service's success rates.

Cultural Services

The committee was to be introduced to three new service areas that joined the Adults and Cultural Services Department in May 2026: Country Parks, Beaumanor Hall and Park, and the Century Theatre. The report provided background information on each of these services. Leicestershire County Council manages a network of 18 parks and open spaces, with a strategy in place to ensure they contribute to environmental, ecological, health, and social outcomes. Beaumanor Hall, a historic Grade II* listed building, functions as a conference and wedding venue, and its park serves as an outdoor education centre. The Century Theatre, a small community theatre located within Snibston Colliery Park, offers a programme of live music, theatre, comedy, and film, and plays a role in community wellbeing and social connections. The report sought guidance from the committee on any further information they might require regarding these new service areas.