The North West Leicestershire District Council cabinet met on 23 September 2025, and endorsed the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, adopted the refreshed Coalville Regeneration Framework, and approved a supplementary estimate to increase the Communications Officer's salary budget. The cabinet also noted the council's response to the government's Fair Funding Review.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion topics:

Fair Funding Review

The cabinet noted the council's response to the government's Fair Funding Review 2.0, a consultation on reforms to how local authorities are funded in England. The review aims to create a fairer and more sustainable system, but initial projections indicate a potential £2 million loss in funding for North West Leicestershire District Council, in addition to an existing £0.6 million funding gap for 2026/27.

The council's response, detailed in Appendix One, expresses serious reservations about proposals that could leave some authorities with no core funding, potentially undermining financial stability. The council advocates for robust protections like funding floors and a gradual transition to avoid sudden shocks.

The response also raises concerns about the impact of the changes on low-income households, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and those living in rural communities, particularly given North West Leicestershire's rapid growth.

The cabinet also noted the responses from the District Council Network (DCN) and the Local Government Association and agreed to continue working with the DCN to lobby for a fairer funding settlement.

Coalville Regeneration Framework Update

The cabinet adopted the 2025 Refreshed Regeneration Framework for Coalville. Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of the Council, highlighted the progress made since the original framework was adopted, including the creation of a new public space in Marlborough Square, the restoration of the Mother and Child Statue, and enhancements to Mantle Lane Gateway.

The updated framework identifies three additional regeneration projects:

• Wolsey Road Regeneration Phase 3: The Old Bakery
• The former Rex Cinema, Jackson Street
• Hotel Street Regeneration Site

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Deputy Leader and Community and Climate Change Portfolio Holder, expressed his desire to see the Market Hall building brought back into use.

The cabinet delegated authority to the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to make minor changes to the document before publication.

Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The cabinet endorsed Leicestershire County Council's approval of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland. This strategy is a statutory duty placed on local government as part of the Environment Act 2021. It requires local authorities to work together to develop strategies for nature recovery across 48 areas in England.

The strategy includes eight strategic aims, including increasing the area and diversity of land managed for wildlife, improving ecological connectivity, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Supplementary Estimates, Virements and Capital Approvals

The cabinet approved a supplementary estimate detailed in Appendix 2 which is over £10,000 and below £250,000 and Council funded. This relates to an increase in the Communications Officer's salary budget of £13,000. According to the report, this is:

To maintain progress on key projects, it is proposed that additional hours be allocated to the Communications Officer. Her work has been instrumental in advancing the Council's communications strategy which includes key elements of transformation activity.

The cabinet also noted other supplementary estimates detailed in Appendix 2 which are below £100,000 and externally funded, and a supplementary estimate which is below £10,000 and Council funded.

Review of Corporate Governance Policies

The cabinet approved the corporate governance policies listed in paragraph 1.2 of the Review of Corporate Governance Policies Cabinet Report. These policies included the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy, the Anti-Money Laundering Policy, the Confidential Reporting (Whistleblowing) Policy, the Risk Management Policy, the RIPA Policy and the Local Code of Corporate Governance.