Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the North West Leicestershire District Council meeting on 16 September 2025. The agenda included a motion regarding local government reform, a petition concerning a housing development, and several reports on financial and scrutiny matters. Councillors were also expected to discuss treasury management, supplementary estimates, and the annual scrutiny report.

Local Government Reform

Councillor Michael Wyatt, the Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder, put forward a motion regarding local government reform. The motion stated that the council:

• Noted a series of government U-turns since the last election.
• Believed that district and borough councils provide essential discretionary services that would be at risk if districts were scrapped and merged with upper-tier councils.
• Argued that the economic case for moving to unitary councils is not proven.
• Pointed out that there is no consensus across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland on how local government reform should proceed.

The motion called on Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Government to reverse course on local government reform. It also proposed that the council's chief executive write to the Prime Minister to outline the council's position and communicate it to other local authorities in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Petition Regarding Housing Development

Bernadette Whelton submitted a petition opposing the construction of 242 houses on land off Torrington Avenue and Hall Lane (Site Reference C19a) in Whitwick. The petition raised concerns about:

• Environmental impact, including threats to green spaces, natural habitats, and air quality.
• Overcrowding and strain on infrastructure, such as increased traffic and pressure on healthcare services.
• Loss of community character and the erosion of the separation between Whitwick and Coalville.
• Noise and construction disruption.
• The suitability of the location for large-scale development.

The petition, which had 1005 signatures, urged the council to remove the land at Torrington Avenue from the Draft Local Plan.

Treasury Management Stewardship Report 2024/25

Councillor Keith Merrie MBE, the Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder, was scheduled to present the Treasury Management Stewardship Report 2024/25. The Treasury Management Stewardship Report 202425 Council Report provided an overview of the council's treasury activities from April 2024 to March 2025. The report noted that:

Treasury Management activity is underpinned by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice (the CIPFA Code), which requires local authorities to produce Prudential Indicators and a Treasury Management Strategy Statement annually on the likely financing and investment activity.

The report stated that there had been no breaches of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement during the reporting period. The council was asked to note the report.

Supplementary Estimates, Virements and Capital Approvals

Councillor Keith Merrie MBE, the Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder, was also scheduled to present a report on Supplementary Estimates, Virements and Capital Approvals. The Supplementary Estimates Virements and Capital Approvals Council Report sought approval for:

• Supplementary estimates exceeding £250,000 that are externally funded.
• Revised capital programmes, subject to Cabinet approval of the capital supplementary estimates on 23 September 2025.

The report detailed supplementary estimates for:

• Disabled Facilities Grant¹ (£943,749)
• Extended Producer Responsibility Payment (£432,096)
• St John Ambulance Building (£270,000)

The report also detailed new schemes for approval:

• Replacement Audit Visual Equipment (Council Chamber) - £27,554
• Customer Contact Centre Refurbishment - £17,450
• St John Ambulance - £270,000

Scrutiny Annual Report

The Scrutiny Annual Report was scheduled to be presented by Councillor Nicholas Rushton, the Infrastructure Portfolio Holder. The Scrutiny Annual Report Council Report summarised the work of the Scrutiny Committees over the past year. The report was developed by the Scrutiny Chairs and both Scrutiny Committees. The council was asked to receive and note the report.