The North West Leicestershire District Council will consider motions regarding local government reorganisation and the management of community assets. The council will also review proposed amendments to its constitution concerning planning functions, receive a treasury management stewardship report, and discuss recommendations from the Debate Not Hate Working Group. Finally, the annual report of the Scrutiny Committees will be presented.

Motions on Local Government Reorganisation and Community Assets

Two significant motions are scheduled for discussion. The first, proposed by Councillor M B Wyatt, addresses the proposed local government reorganisation for Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. The motion expresses concern that the creation of two new unitary councils with an expanded city boundary will lead to a severe reduction in democratic representation for our residents and a lack of geographical and community coherence. It argues that the proposed authorities will be too large and more remote from local communities. While acknowledging the value of devolution, the motion calls for the Chief Executive to write to ministers advocating for a devolution settlement that would deliver strategic planning, transport, infrastructure, skills, and growth for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire, including the UK's only inland Freeport.

The second motion, put forward by Councillor T Eynon, focuses on a LGR Community Asset Strategy in light of the impending cessation of both Leicestershire County Council and North West Leicestershire District Council in April 2028. The motion highlights the ongoing Community Governance Review, which aims to create parishes in unparished areas, including the district centre of Coalville. It notes that typically, responsibility for open space, community buildings, and recreation facilities is devolved to new parish councils. The motion expresses concern that in the absence of an alternative, all middle- and upper-tier council-owned community assets will pass to the new Leicestershire and Rutland Unitary Authority. In response, the council is requested to work with existing parish and town councils, representatives of unparished district wards, and officers from the County Council and Shadow Unitary Council. A strategic review of all council-owned community assets in North West Leicestershire is requested, including open spaces, community buildings (such as Stenson House), recreation areas (like the Owen Street football ground), and car parks. The aim is to develop a Strategic Community Asset Management Plan that includes options for transfer and disposal to retain responsibility, power, and funding of community assets in and for the communities that make use of them.

Amendments to the Constitution for Planning Functions

The council is scheduled to consider amendments to its constitution to reflect the Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026. These regulations, which come into force on 31 October 2026, introduce a new national scheme of delegation for determining planning applications. The report from the Head of Legal and Support Services outlines that these changes are mandatory and will increase the number of planning applications determined by officers, reducing the number referred to Planning Committees. The regulations distinguish between Schedule 1 applications, which must be determined by officers, and Schedule 2 applications, which can be referred to a Planning Committee under specific circumstances. The report details that the presumption should be that decisions are delegated to officers and only exceptionally be referred to committee. The proposed amendments will alter current arrangements, including the call-in process for applications and the criteria for referring applications to the Planning Committee.

Treasury Management Stewardship Report 2025/26

The Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder, Councillor Keith Merrie MBE, will present the Treasury Management Stewardship Report for the 2025/26 financial year. This report informs the council of its treasury management activities undertaken during that period. The report indicates that a prudent approach has been taken in relation to investment activity, with priority given to security and liquidity over yield. It confirms that there have been no breaches of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement during the reporting period. The report also details the council's borrowing and investment activities, including performance against benchmarks and compliance with prudential indicators.

Recommendations of the Debate Not Hate Working Group

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Richard Blunt, and Councillor Keith Merrie MBE, the Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder, will present the recommendations from the Debate Not Hate Working Group. This group was established following the Local Government Association's campaign to address the abuse and intimidation faced by councillors. The report outlines the findings of a self-assessment toolkit designed to help councils support councillors and mitigate risks. The working group has identified further steps the council can take to tackle and mitigate the impact and risk of abuse and intimidation. The report proposes that officers commence work on these actions with the assistance of the Working Group, with a further progress update scheduled for February 2027.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26

The Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees, Councillor Dr Terri Eynon (Community Scrutiny Committee) and Councillor Simon Lambeth (Corporate Scrutiny Committee), will present the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025/26. This report summarises the work undertaken by both committees over the preceding 12 months. It details the areas scrutinised, including the council's budget setting, performance monitoring, customer experience strategy, and progress on zero carbon initiatives. The Community Scrutiny Committee's work included reviews of disabled facilities grants, the Moira Furnace Visitor Experience Improvement Programme, leisure centres, and community grants. The report also highlights the establishment of a Water Management in the Coalville Strategic Growth Area Task and Finish Group. The report aims to demonstrate the value and impact of effective scrutiny in supporting the council to deliver better services.