The Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council is scheduled to convene on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the council's constitution and a community governance review for Witherley parish.

Review of the Council's Constitution

The council is set to consider proposed changes to its constitution. These amendments aim to ensure the document accurately reflects the organisation's current structure and to comply with the latest procurement and planning legislation. The proposed changes include updates to the Articles of Association, reflecting recent management restructure and job title changes. Terms of reference for various council bodies, including the Audit Committee, Planning Committee, and Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee, are also scheduled for review.

Significant attention is being given to reforms within the Planning Committee. These reforms are in response to national planning system changes designed to increase efficiency and reduce the number of applications determined by committees, thereby expanding the use of officer delegated powers. The proposed changes align with The Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, which come into effect on 31 October 2026. These reforms introduce a national scheme of delegation, categorising applications and establishing a Gateway Test for certain applications to be determined by committee. The report outlines a proposed referral process for these applications, which will allow members an extended period to refer applications, though neighbour comments will no longer automatically trigger a referral. The Gateway Test itself will assess whether an application raises significant economic, social, or environmental issues, or other material planning considerations. The report also details proposed local delegations that would delegate some Schedule 2 application types directly to officers, aiming to focus committee time on the most significant and politically sensitive applications.

Updates to the Scheme of Delegation are also proposed, including additions related to the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the designation of the Legal Services Manager as Deputy Electoral Registration Officer. Council Procedure Rules will be updated to include the receiving of Audit Committee minutes, and changes to the Planning Committee procedure rules will alter the deadline for registering to speak. The Finance and Contract Procedure Rules are to be updated in light of the new structure and the Procurement Act 2023. The report also notes the removal of the Member Champions section for flexibility and the removal of the Protocol for Gifts and Hospitality, as this is now covered in the Member Code of Conduct.

Community Governance Review - Witherley Parish

A significant item on the agenda is the presentation of final recommendations from a community governance review for Witherley parish. This review was initiated following a valid petition received on 27 November 2025, requesting the removal of Ratcliffe Culey from Witherley Parish Council and the formation of a new parish council for Ratcliffe Culey. A subsequent petition from Fenny Drayton residents requesting their own parish council was also incorporated into the review.

The report outlines a series of consultations and member working group meetings that have taken place throughout 2026. The review process has considered various options for the future governance of the Witherley area, including the creation of new parishes and the abolition of the current Witherley Parish Council. The final recommendations propose the abolition of the current Witherley Parish Council and the creation of three new parishes: Fenny Drayton parish, Witherley & Atterton parish, and Ratcliffe Culey parish. The proposed structure for Fenny Drayton includes a council size of five members. For Witherley & Atterton, it is proposed to have two parish wards (Witherley and Atterton) with a council size of five members (four for Witherley ward and one for Atterton ward). The recommendation for Ratcliffe Culey parish is to be determined following the conclusion of a third phase of consultation.

The report details the extensive consultation process undertaken, including open consultations on the council's website, advertisements, emails to various stakeholders, and letters to households. The analysis of consultation responses indicates a strong desire for change from residents in Fenny Drayton and Ratcliffe Culey, who cite distinct community identities and dissatisfaction with current governance arrangements. Residents from Witherley and Atterton also expressed a preference for separation, citing coherent community identity and differing priorities. The report notes that the viability of smaller parish councils was a consideration, particularly for Ratcliffe Culey, which has a smaller electorate. The recommendations are intended to ensure that community governance is reflective of the identities and interests of the communities and is effective and convenient.

Leader of the Council's Position Statement

Councillor SL Bray, Leader of the Council, is scheduled to deliver a position statement. This statement is expected to cover a range of topics, as indicated by previous similar statements, which have included references to local government reorganisation, homelessness strategies, regeneration projects, local plan consultations, town centre policing, and recent council events and decisions.

Other Agenda Items

The meeting will also address:

• Apologies: To receive apologies for absence.
• Minutes of the previous meeting: To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 September 2026.
• Additional urgent business: To consider any urgent items by reason of special circumstances.
• Declarations of interest: To receive verbal disclosures of interest from Members.
• Mayor's Communications: To receive communications from the Mayor.
• Questions: To deal with questions under Council Procedure Rule number 14.
• Petitions: To deal with petitions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 15.