Oadby and Wigston Full Council met on 23 September 2025, and agreed a budget approach for 2026/27, approved a motion on slurry spreading, and unanimously resolved to make a Planning Revocation Order for a property on Gartree Road. A review of political proportionality and membership of council bodies was deferred until the next meeting.

Revocation of Planning Permission on Gartree Road

The council unanimously approved the making of a Planning Revocation Order under section 97 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to revoke planning permission 25/00204/FUL, for a single-storey front garage extension at 117A Gartree Road, Oadby. The council also authorised officers to complete all associated statutory publicity, notification and procedural requirements in relation to the making of the Revocation Order.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Samia Z Haq, declared a pecuniary interest in the item, as she had a beneficial interest in the subject property, and left the room during the debate and vote.

The planning permission had been granted in error under delegated authority, as the applicant was the spouse of an elected member, and under the council's constitution, such applications should be determined by the Development Control Committee. The error occurred because the applicant's planning agent had failed to declare the relationship on the application form.

The report noted:

Although inadvertent, the safeguard requiring referral to Committee is essential to ensuring openness and transparency in the Council's planning processes. It provides assurance that applications involving Members or their relatives are determined collectively and in public. Allowing the Permission to otherwise stand would risk undermining the public's confidence in the Council's governance and create a perception of bias or preferential treatment, even where none was intended.

An amendment was proposed by the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Naveed Alam, seconded by Councillor Colin S Gore, to request an external audit or independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the event, recognising it as a serious breach of planning procedure. This amendment was defeated, with 3 votes in favour and 17 against.

Budget Setting Approach for 2026/27

The council unanimously agreed the budget approach for 2026/27 and noted the updated Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) budget gaps. The report provided information on the approach for setting the 2026/27 budget and updated members on the MTFP.

Key principles of the budget approach include:

• The 2025/26 revised budget will form the base budget for 2026/27.
• Inflation assumptions will be made based on the latest information.
• There will be no further revenue growth; any pressures should be self-funding .
• Review of budgets to identify savings.
• Capital growth must be funded by grant, have a revenue payback, or be essential for the maintenance of service delivery.
• The Sustainability Programme will continue to progress to identify savings.

The report highlighted that the Sustainability Programme savings included in the MTFP did not meet the budget gap, and that the main challenges to the council were the costs of homelessness and homelessness prevention.

Review of Political Proportionality

The council deferred a report and addendum on the review of political proportionality and membership of council bodies to the next meeting on 28 October 2025, following discussion at the Constitutional Working Group on 24 September 2025.

The report asked members to consider the most up-to-date position regarding the review of political proportionality and the implications upon membership of council bodies. The review was triggered by Councillors Pritibala (Priti) Joshi and Nidhi (Rupa) V Joshi resigning from the Conservative political group to sit as ungrouped independents on 8 September 2025.

The addendum clarified that the council has a statutory duty to allocate seats on council bodies to members who do not belong to any political group.

The report recommended that the council note the political balance requirements contained in the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, and the new political composition of the council. It also recommended that the council resolve the revised number of seats on each affected council body, and the necessary removals and appointments of members.

Other Business

• Slurry Spreading: The council unanimously approved a motion on slurry spreading on fields, resolving to instruct the Chief Executive and Leader to write to the Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds to ask that the use of sewage sludge is banned in England and Wales, or that it is screened to the same standard as cleaned water.
• Land at Ellis Farm: The Head of Built Environment provided a response to a question from Councillor Michael H Charlesworth in relation to land at Ellis Farm, Kilby Bridge. The response stated that all sites received as part of the council's call for sites are currently being assessed through the council's ongoing new Local Plan making process, and that site constraints, such as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) status, will be taken into account during the assessment process.
• Mayoral Engagements: The council noted the list of official engagements attended by the Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor.
• Leader's Statement: The Leader of the Council presented a statement outlining her recent work and meetings, the administration's plans, and an overview of recent decisions. This included an update on the position on Local Government Reorganisation, and her wider observations and concerns regarding recent anti-migration activity.