Rutland County Council met on 18 September 2025, and among other business, agreed to revise its political balance calculations following the Barleythorpe by-election in July 2025, and approved changes to the arrangements for dealing with member conduct complaints. The council also discussed a solar motion, and received the Annual Progress Report 2024-25 from Councillor Andrew Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Resources.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

Political Balance and Committee Appointments

Following the Barleythorpe by-election in July 2025, Councillor Andrew Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Resources, presented Report No. 82/2025 - Political Balance Calculations and Appointments to Committees to the council. The report outlined the revised political balance calculation and the subsequent allocation of seats on committees to political groups. The council approved the revised political balance calculation for the remainder of 2025/26, as detailed in Table A of the report. They also approved the allocation of seats on committees to political groups, including the Licensing Committee, and noted the political group nominations for committee membership, as outlined in Appendix A. The updated political group membership is as follows:

• Liberal Democrat: 11 councillors
• Conservative: 7 councillors
• Independent: 7 councillors
• Labour: 2 councillors

Amendment to Arrangements for Dealing with Conduct Complaints

The council approved revisions to the arrangements for dealing with member conduct complaints, as recommended by the Conduct Committee. The key change removes the requirement for the Conduct Committee to determine cases where no breach is found following a full investigation, aiming to reduce costs and time. Other minor changes were made to improve clarity.

Solar Motion

Councillors Kiloran Heckels and Lucy Stephenson proposed a motion regarding solar energy. The council resolved to:

1. Acknowledge the cumulative impact of multiple solar plants in Rutland, considering landscape, biodiversity, and local communities.
2. Support the policy outlined in the proposed Local Plan, in line with the National Planning Policy Framework.
3. Welcome the new Future Homes Standard proposals, encouraging solar development on newbuild housing, rooftops, agricultural buildings, and industrial zones, in preference to agricultural land and open countryside. The council will write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government supporting clearer solar policy on the NPPF encouraging solar on new developments.
4. Encourage solar farm applications to commit to providing competitive community compensation.
5. Express concerns over ethical issues with solar supply chains and encourages ethical procurement of solar panels.

The motion demonstrates Rutland County Council's commitment to safeguarding food security, preserving Rutland's landscape, heritage, and environment, promoting ethical chains in the solar industry, and advocating for sustainable development and net-zero. A copy of this motion will be sent to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, and the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Annual Progress Report 2024-25

Councillor Andrew Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Resources, presented the Annual Progress Report 2024-25. The report provides an overview of Rutland County Council's performance from April 2024 to March 2025, highlighting achievements and ongoing challenges. The report is structured around the four strategic priorities in the Corporate Strategy:

• Tackling the climate emergency
• A diverse and sustainable local economy
• Supporting the most vulnerable
• Providing good public services

The council noted the contents of the report, acknowledging the performance delivered and recognising the report's role in supporting strategic planning and public accountability.

Questions from Members of the Council

Several questions were raised by councillors:

• Councillor Kiloran Heckels asked Councillor Christine Wise, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities, when the first speed data from the newly installed SIDs¹ will be shared with officers, councillors, and Parish Councils.
• Councillor Giles Clifton asked Councillor Gale Waller, Leader of the Council, what assessment has been made of the impact of Local Government Reorganisation on the funding of charities in Rutland.
• Councillor Lucy Stephenson asked Councillor Christine Wise for an update on the outcomes of the Equality Impact Assessment related to the School and Post-16 Travel Assistance Policy.
• Councillor Kevin Corby asked Councillor Tim Smith, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, for assurance that the Post 16 travel policy will be reviewed to provide recourse for young people with acknowledged special needs but without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)².
• Councillor Karen Payne asked Councillor Gale Waller for an update on discussions with neighbouring councils regarding Local Government Reorganisation.
• Councillor Matthew Farina asked Councillor Christine Wise for an update on the work carried out on Church Lane, Barrowden and what future work is planned to avoid flooding in the area.

Joint Arrangements and External Organisations

Reports were received from members regarding various joint arrangements and external organisations:

• Councillor Christine Wise provided a report on the Safer Rutland Partnership Strategic Board, noting a recent reduction in road traffic fatalities, a reported rise in elder abuse, issues related to underage alcohol sales, upgrades to CCTV servers in Uppingham and Oakham, a discussion about Serious Organised Crime, an update on PREVENT training, concerns about speeding, and an update on cyber enabled crime.
• Councillor Kevin Payne provided a report on the Heidelberg Materials (Ketton) Liaison Committee, including updates on Capex projects, quarry restoration, quality/environment, quarry future plans, the Environment Agency, Rutland County Council, Ketton Parish Council, and Tinwell Parish Council.
• Councillor Kevin Corby provided a report on the Rutland Fairtrade Forum, highlighting the renewal of Fairtrade status awarded to Rutland, meetings with the Rutland Chamber of Commerce, contact with churches across Rutland, collaboration with Stamford Fairtrade, a tribute to the late Helen Baggott, the Rural Community Council switching to Fairtrade tea, the annual Fairtrade Fortnight, the annual Fairtrade Christmas Market, and the Fairtrade County Certificate presentation.
• Councillor Lucy Stephenson provided a report on the Rural Community Council, noting the work of the RCC in making a difference to the rural communities of Rutland and Leicestershire, and the careful management of budgets.
• Councillor Christine Wise provided a report on the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel, noting discussions on the Police and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report, the Commissioner's Update Report for Q1, public order arrangements, and the fight for reform to the funding formula.

Other Business

The council also addressed the following:

• Minutes: The minutes of the previous meetings held on 10 July and 5 August 2025 were confirmed.
• Petitions, Deputations and Questions from Members of the Public: There were none received.
• Referral of Committee Decisions to the Council: There were none received.
• Call-in of Decisions from Cabinet Meetings: There were none received.
• Report from the Cabinet: There were none.
• Reports from Committees of the Council: These were received.
• Reports from Scrutiny: There were none received.
• Notices of Motion: The solar motion was considered.
• Any Urgent Business: There was none.
• Date of Next Meeting: The next meeting was noted as 20 November 2025.