The County Council of Leicestershire met on Wednesday 23 September 2026, where they approved revised terms of reference for the Development Control and Regulatory Board, officer delegations, and the Members' Planning Code of Good Practice, and resolved to undertake a feasibility study into the introduction of a community lottery for Leicestershire. The Council also reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of political expression while upholding standards in public office.

Government Planning Reforms: Amendments to Planning Governance Delegations and Member Planning Code Arrangements

The Council approved revised terms of reference for the Development Control and Regulatory Board (DCRB), officer delegations, and the Members' Planning Code of Good Practice. These changes are necessary to align the Council's planning decision-making arrangements with new government reforms, specifically the national scheme of delegation for planning functions and associated statutory guidance, which come into effect on 31 October 2026. The aim is to ensure greater clarity and consistency, with more minor and technical decisions being made by officers, while committees focus on proposals of greater significance. The revised arrangements establish a gateway process for determining whether Schedule 2 and Own-Interest applications should be referred to the DCRB, with officer delegation being the default position unless specific referral criteria are met. The decision was made to approve these changes, which will be implemented through updates to the Council's Constitution and the issuance of revised guidance.

Protecting Free Speech Whilst Upholding Standards in Public Office

The Council resolved to reaffirm its commitment to both freedom of political expression and maintaining high standards of conduct among elected members. It requested that the Constitution and Ethics Committee consider guidance clarifying the distinction between robust political debate, which must be protected, and genuine misconduct. The Council also called upon the UK Government to ensure that any reform of the national standards regime delivers a framework that is fair and balanced, providing meaningful consequences for serious misconduct while protecting freedom of expression and safeguarding against vexatious complaints. The administration also intends to review the Members' Code of Conduct.

Exploring the Introduction of a Community Lottery for Leicestershire

The Council resolved to refer a proposal to the Cabinet for consideration regarding the undertaking of a feasibility study into the potential establishment of a Leicestershire Community Lottery. This study will examine the financial, legal, operational, and governance requirements, including licensing under gambling legislation and responsible gambling safeguards. It will also assess existing community lotteries in Leicestershire to determine if a county scheme would generate additional income or displace current ones. Engagement with local charities, voluntary sector partners, community groups, and town and parish councils will be undertaken to gauge support and potential participation. The findings will be reported to the Health and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee before Cabinet consideration.

Annual Report of the Corporate Governance Committee

The Council noted the Corporate Governance Committee Annual Report 2025-26. This report detailed the committee's role in providing assurance on the Council's corporate governance, risk management, internal and external audit, and control environment. It highlighted the committee's activities during the year, including its oversight of financial management, risk management, fraud and corruption, the Annual Governance Statement, internal and external audit, treasury management, and internal controls. The report indicated that the Council generally maintained adequate and effective governance and control environments, with some areas identified for improvement, such as the implementation of recommendations from audits and the management of contract exceptions.