The Leicester City Council meeting scheduled for Thursday 2 July 2026 was set to discuss committee appointments and review the Governance and Audit Committee's annual report. Additionally, two notices of motion were listed for consideration, one concerning adventure playgrounds and the other addressing health services in Leicester.

Appointment of Council Committees 2026-27 Municipal Year

The council was scheduled to consider the appointment of Councillor Teresa Aldred as the Vice-Chair of the Planning and Development Control Committee for the remainder of the 2026-27 municipal year. This appointment would replace Councillor Dr Lynn Moore, who had previously been appointed to the role. The report indicated that this matter was a legal requirement and reserved for Full Council to decide.

Governance and Audit Annual Report 2025-26

The Regulatory and Standards Committee was scheduled to present its annual report for the 2025-26 municipal year. This report was intended to outline the committee's work and achievements. The report detailed the committee's role in overseeing corporate governance, risk management, fraud, and internal control. It noted that the committee had met seven times during the year and had expanded its membership to include two independent members, aligning with guidance from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA)[^1].

Key areas covered in the report included:

• Internal Audit: The committee reviewed internal audit plans, monitored delivery, and received annual reports and opinions on the council's governance, risk management, and control framework.
• Counter-Fraud: The committee maintained an overview of measures to combat fraud and financial irregularity, reviewed counter-fraud reports, supported participation in the National Fraud Initiative, and approved updated Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption and Anti-Money Laundering policies.
• External Audit: The committee considered external auditor plans, progress, and the outcomes of work on statutory financial statements and value for money arrangements. It was updated on national issues affecting local authority accounts and audit.
• Risk Management: The committee regularly reviewed the council's risk management arrangements, including strategic and operational risk registers, and the Corporate Business Continuity Management Strategy.
• Corporate Governance: The committee fulfilled its responsibilities as 'the board' for the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and oversaw the council's corporate governance arrangements, including reviewing and approving the Annual Governance Statement for 2024-25.
• Financial Reporting: The committee received and approved the council's statutory Statement of Accounts for 2024-25 and associated external audit reports.
• Procurement: Feedback was sought on revised contract procedure rules following the Procurement Act 2024. Concerns were raised regarding the increased use of procurement waivers.
• Complaints: An annual update on the complaints service was received, including complaints to the Local Government and Social Care and Housing Ombudsman.

The report concluded that the Governance & Audit Committee had made a significant contribution to the good governance of the City Council, reinforcing internal control and audit systems, and supporting corporate governance, legal compliance, and risk management.

Notices of Motion

Two notices of motion were scheduled for discussion:

Motion 1: Adventure Playgrounds

Proposed by Councillor Kitterick and seconded by Councillor Bora, this motion highlighted a concern that the promised £2 million in funding for Adventure Playgrounds in Leicester might not be fully realised. The motion noted that the City Mayor had announced this funding at the Annual Budget Meeting on 25 February 2026, and it was confirmed in a press release on 26 February 2026. The motion called upon the City Mayor to provide the necessary resources to continue the work of Leicester Adventure Playgrounds, which have been operating for over 50 years, in combating child poverty and improving the lives of children in the city.

Motion 2: Leicester's Health Services

Proposed by Councillor Kitterick and seconded by Councillor Haq, this motion expressed concern over several health statistics in Leicester. These included the second-worst ratio of GPs to patients in the country (1 GP for every 3,262 people), residents expecting three years less healthy life than the national average, one of the highest infant mortality rates, and one of the lowest vaccination rates in the UK, which had declined significantly over the past 15 years. The motion called for the City Council to lead a plan to address these health issues by bringing together all organisations and parties to develop a strategy for tackling deep health inequalities in Leicester. It also proposed an annual Health of the City report to the council.