The Overview Select Committee meeting on Wednesday 8 July 2026 addressed the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, reviewed the council's financial outturn for the 2025/26 financial year, and discussed treasury management activities. Key decisions included noting the progress of the Crisis and Resilience Fund, approving the revenue budget outturn with an underspend, and reviewing the capital budget monitoring.

Crisis and Resilience Fund

The committee received an overview of the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), which replaces the Household Support Fund (HSF) and elements of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs). The CRF aims to provide a more stable, long-term approach to tackling poverty, running for three years until March 2029. It focuses on immediate financial crisis support alongside building long-term financial resilience.

Councillor Susan Waddington raised concerns about the lack of mention of food banks in the presentation and the perceived delay in implementing the new arrangements compared to other local authorities. Corey Laywood, Head of Revenues, Benefits and Finance, explained that food banks are still able to apply for funding through a quarterly process. He also clarified that the £400,000 allocated for staffing and administration represents approximately 7% of the total £8.3 million annual fund, which is in line with national benchmarks. The online application form, including a voice-activated option, has been live since 1 May.

Councillor Misbah Batool inquired about safeguards for digitally excluded individuals, benchmarking against other authorities, and how the unallocated £2 million would ensure long-term resilience. Corey Laywood assured members that multiple routes for application exist, including phone lines and third-party referrals, and that the voice form has translation capabilities. He also stated that the council would be working with neighbouring authorities and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to benchmark outcomes and that proposals for the unallocated funding would be developed over the summer.

Councillor Syed Zaman asked about the likelihood of exceeding the £725,000 maximum for discretionary housing payments and how hardship would be measured long-term. Amy Oliver, Director of Finance, confirmed that while the fund has a limit, the council would continue to support eligible individuals from its own budget. She also confirmed that the 48-hour target for decisions was being met and that measures for long-term hardship were being developed.

Councillor Melissa March, who declared an interest as her employer receives funding from the CRF, highlighted the £25 million over three years allocated to tackle poverty at its root cause. Councillor Nigel Porter raised concerns about procurement processes for contracts like the one with Citizens Advice Leicestershire and the potential for abuse of the scheme, particularly regarding the ease of application and the possibility of people using the fund to avoid rent arrears. He also questioned the equality impact assessment regarding the use of PIP payments. Amy Oliver clarified that the Citizens Advice contract was an extension of an existing one and that robust checks and balances are in place to prevent fraud. She also reiterated that the CRF is distinct from the Council Tax Support Scheme and does not involve taking PIP payments.

The committee noted the report and made suggestions to officers regarding the dissemination of information about the CRF and the development of a report on its impacts within six months.

Revenue Budget Monitoring Outturn 2025/26

The committee reviewed the final revenue budget monitoring report for 2025/26, which showed an overall underspend of £3.2 million, representing less than a 1% variance on the total budget. The main reasons for variances were attributed to social care pressures and staff vacancies. Homelessness services had used £4 million of their contingency, and supported accommodation also experienced pressures.

Councillor Abdul Osman questioned the £14.1 million ring-fenced for local government reorganisation and the £1.4 million allocated for election funds, asking if further costs would be incurred in 2027 and 2028. Amy Oliver explained that these were transition costs with an expected payback within two years and that the election reserve was to fund local elections, which are not government-funded.

Councillor Syed Zaman raised concerns about a £10 million overspend in the housing budget, linking it to the £45 million spent on purchasing homeless properties. He also asked about buffers for inflation and international prices. Amy Oliver clarified that the £45 million investment had a positive impact, mitigating a larger overspend, and that contingencies are built into the budget for unexpected pressures.

Councillor Patrick Kitterick questioned the impact of prolonged vacancies on services and the amount by which supported accommodation costs exceed DWP recovery. Amy Oliver stated that the impact of vacancies had been discussed previously and that the figure for supported accommodation was approximately £2 million, which would be confirmed.

Councillor Kitterick also raised concerns about the lack of gully infrastructure for electric vehicle charging and suggested trial pilots. The City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, confirmed that officers were looking into trials and that the council was not against the idea, despite the challenges. He also addressed the issue of the Haymarket Shopping Centre surplus, explaining that it was reinvested to ensure self-funding. Regarding the planning service's shortfall in fee income, the City Mayor noted Leicester's focus on lower-rise buildings rather than high-rise developments, which require cranes.

The committee noted the report and approved several transfers to reserves. Two actions were noted: the City Mayor would check and confirm if a pilot for EV charging stations was in place, and Councillor Melissa March would share an email detailing further work needed on vacancies.

Treasury Management Activities 2025/26

The committee reviewed the treasury management activities for 2025/26, noting an increase in borrowing to £110 million from the Public Loans Works Board (PWLB) and a decrease in investments to £92 million. The average interest rate on investments was 4.15%, slightly lower than the English Unitary Authority average of 4.23%.

Councillor Nigel Porter questioned the City Mayor on whether the council had made any bad investments, citing losses in the Threadneedle Property Fund (£700,000) and the Lothbury fund (£1.5 million). He also asked about the repayment of a £1.5 million loan to Ethically Sourced Products Ltd. Sir Peter Soulsby stated that he had not claimed the council had never made investments with less than positive outcomes, but had compared Leicester's investments favourably to those of other councils that had invested unwisely. He confirmed that investments are made with professional advice and that the majority are successful. Adam Wuni, Head of Finance and Strategy, confirmed that the loan to Ethically Sourced Products Ltd was expected to be repaid by early 2026/27 and that they were in close conversation with the company.

The committee noted the report and directed comments to the Director of Finance and the Executive.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26

Councillor Ashiedu Joel, Chair of the Overview Select Committee, presented the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025-26. The report summarised the work of the Overview Select Committee and the six Scrutiny Commissions, highlighting key achievements and priority areas for the upcoming year. Councillor Joel thanked colleagues for their robust challenge and engagement, and acknowledged the support from officers and the City Mayor's executive team. The report was submitted to Full Council for approval.

The committee noted the report and discussed potential future work programme items, including the findings of the Healthy Workplace Survey, updates on the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and the Corporate Annual Estate Report.

Income Collection Outturn 2025/26

The committee received the income collection outturn report for 2025/26. The report indicated that overall income collection performance remained stable, with nearly all money due being collected. However, it noted an increase in aged debt, particularly in Adult Social Care and other income streams, which was attributed to active management of complex cases and legal action.

Councillor Nigel Porter raised concerns about the failure to collect substantial amounts of council money, particularly in relation to a vacant property in his ward where no council tax had been paid since 2021, and the owner could not be traced. He questioned the meaning of all recovery options exhausted and suggested compulsory purchase powers could be used. Councillor Bhupen Dave asked why moving traffic enforcement and on-street car parking debts could not be outsourced, given recent legislative changes. Amy Oliver explained that outsourcing had been tried previously with little improvement and that vehicle-related debt is particularly difficult to collect due to the transient nature of vehicles. She confirmed that checks were in place and that the council had access to DVLA records.

The committee noted the report and made observations, including a request for further information on how investigations into unrecoverable debt are undertaken and a discussion on the quality of equality implications reporting.

Capital Budget Monitoring Outturn 2025/26

The committee reviewed the final capital budget monitoring report for 2025/26. The report detailed a total spend of £133.2 million and highlighted progress on major projects and work programmes. The committee was asked to approve the carry-forward of £28 million for schemes where spend had slipped and £2.5 million for unspent provisions.

Councillor Rebecca, representing the Young People's Council, questioned why capital funding was not being used to fund existing youth centres, rather than new spaces. The City Mayor stated that the council was not turning its back on existing youth centres and would be interested in specific examples of concern. A note was made to ask the Youth Council officer to gather specifics for a written response.

Councillor Hemant Rae Bhatia inquired about the timeline for cranes at the railway station and the additional funding required. The City Mayor announced that an agreement had been reached with stakeholders to proceed with seeking contractors for the railway station development, with additional government funding secured at no extra cost to the council.

Councillor Patrick Kitterick asked for clarification on the St Matthews Residential Property concrete works and the plans for St Paul's Church, which has had £400,000 allocated for many years without expenditure. Amy Oliver confirmed that the £60 million asset sales target was still on course and being used to reduce borrowing costs. Councillor Waddington was informed that St Paul's Church would be moving to the Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Committee, and that the council was working with the Crown on a property transfer procedure.

The committee noted the report and approved the recommendations, including the carry-forward of budgets and additions to the programme for laptops, building maintenance at the Record Office, and the Haymarket Shopping Centre.

Review of Treasury Management Activities 2025/26

The committee reviewed the treasury management activities for 2025/26. The report highlighted an increase in borrowing to £110 million from the Public Loans Works Board (PWLB) and a decrease in investments to £92 million. The average interest rate on investments was 4.15%.

Councillor Nigel Porter questioned the City Mayor on whether the council had made any bad investments, citing losses in the Threadneedle Property Fund (£700,000) and the Lothbury fund (£1.5 million). He also asked about the repayment of a £1.5 million loan to Ethically Sourced Products Ltd. Sir Peter Soulsby stated that he had not claimed the council had never made investments with less than positive outcomes, but had compared Leicester's investments favourably to those of other councils that had invested unwisely. He confirmed that investments are made with professional advice and that the majority are successful. Adam Wuni, Head of Finance and Strategy, confirmed that the loan to Ethically Sourced Products Ltd was expected to be repaid by early 2026/27 and that they were in close conversation with the company.

The committee noted the report and directed comments to the Director of Finance and the Executive.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26

Councillor Ashiedu Joel, Chair of the Overview Select Committee, presented the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025-26. The report summarised the work of the Overview Select Committee and the six Scrutiny Commissions, highlighting key achievements and priority areas for the upcoming year. Councillor Joel thanked colleagues for their robust challenge and engagement, and acknowledged the support from officers and the City Mayor's executive team. The report was submitted to Full Council for approval.

The committee noted the report and discussed potential future work programme items, including the findings of the Healthy Workplace Survey, updates on the Crisis and Resilience Fund, and the Corporate Annual Estate Report.

Other Business

The committee noted that the work programme would be reviewed, and any suggested items for review should be emailed to the Chair. A briefing scheduled for Monday was postponed and would be rescheduled via email.