The Scrutiny Commission of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council met on 11 September 2025 to discuss a range of topics, including updates to the Heritage Strategy, the implementation of a Homelessness Prevention Policy, and the Council Housing Service Rent Policy. The meeting also included a question and answer session with Councillor SL Bray, Leader of the Council, and Councillor MC Bools, Deputy Leader of the Council. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the Scrutiny Commission work programme and the forward plan of executive and council decisions.

Heritage Strategy Update

The Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to review the draft Heritage Strategy 2025-2029 and its accompanying background and action plan. The Heritage Strategy is intended to guide conservation and heritage activities in the borough for the next five years.

The report pack states that the borough has a:

unique and distinctive heritage which is required to be preserved and enhanced for present and future generations by statute and national policy. The Borough Council require an overarching strategy to achieve this so the purpose of the Heritage Strategy 2025 - 2029 is to guide conservation and heritage activities in the borough over the next five years. This is a refreshed version of the Councils 2018 - 2023 Heritage Strategy.

The strategy is designed to align with other council strategies, including the Corporate Plan, Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy, Culture Strategy, Economic Regeneration Strategy, Hinckley Town Centre Strategic Vision, and Tourism Strategy.

The Heritage Strategy 2025-2029 document outlines four key aims:

• Increase understanding and awareness of heritage with improved accessibility.
• Implement positive action to manage and enhance heritage.
• Ensure a partnership approach to care for heritage.
• Promote and encourage the enjoyment of heritage.

The Heritage Strategy - Background and Action Plan document-2025-2029 - final version 2 provides context, identifies challenges and opportunities, and outlines actions to deliver the strategy's aims. It notes that the borough has a wealth of heritage assets, including:

• 353 statutory listed buildings
• 28 conservation areas
• 22 scheduled monuments
• One registered battlefield, Bosworth Battlefield

The report pack indicates that public consultation on the strategy was focused on questions such as:

• What do you consider to be Hinckley and Bosworth's heritage?
• What aspects of the borough's heritage do you value, care for and enjoy?
• What do you consider to be the issues affecting the heritage of the borough?
• How could the borough's heritage be better managed and enhanced?

Homelessness Prevention Policy

The Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to discuss the implementation of a new Homelessness Prevention Policy. The policy outlines the tools, interventions, and support available to prevent homelessness and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.

The Homelessness Prevention Policy report 270825 states that the policy includes measures such as:

• Mediation
• Rent top-ups
• Financial assistance for deposits and rent in advance
• Discretionary housing payments¹
• Partnership working with external agencies

The policy also sets out the council's approach to supporting specific groups, including rough sleepers, prison leavers, hospital discharges, and victims of domestic abuse.

The draft prevention policy document details the council's duties under the Prevention Duty and Relief Duty, which require the council to take reasonable steps to help eligible applicants secure accommodation. It also outlines the role of the Housing Options Team in providing advice, support, and personalised housing plans.

Council Housing Service Rent Policy

The Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to discuss the revised draft Council Housing Service Rent Policy. The Rent policy report 270825 states that the updated policy outlines how rents are set, collected, and recovered to ensure financial stability for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and to support tenants who may face financial difficulties.

Key objectives of the policy include:

• Ensuring rents and service charges comply with statutory regulations.
• Maximising rental income efficiently to prevent the HRA from falling into deficit.
• Identifying and supporting tenants in financial hardship.
• Providing repayment plan options as an alternative to legal action.

The Council Housing Service rent policy 2025 document details the principles for rent setting, service charges, rent collection, and arrears management. It also outlines the council's approach to supporting vulnerable tenants and preventing evictions.

The Appendix A Rent Policy Workshop 18 June - Report Outcomes summarises feedback from a tenant workshop held on 18 June 2025, which shaped the updated Rent Policy. Key feedback included a strong focus on affordability, repair quality, security, and clear communication.

Forward Plan of Executive and Council Decisions

The Scrutiny Commission was scheduled to review the Forward plan Sep to Dec 25, which lists decisions to be taken by the Executive or Council between September and December 2025. The plan identifies key decisions and provides information about the decision-making process.

In addition to the Heritage Strategy and Council Housing Service Rent Policy, the forward plan included the following key decisions:

• Waste bin and collection policy
• Pesticides review

The forward plan also provides details of the councillors who make up the Executive, including Councillor SL Bray, Leader of the Council, and Councillor MC Bools, Deputy Leader of the Council.