The Community Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday, 25 February 2026, to discuss a range of important local issues. Key items included noting the Cabinet's response to previous scrutiny recommendations and receiving an update on the Love Your Neighbourhood campaign. The committee also received presentations on strategies for playing pitches, built facilities, and open spaces, and on the Stenson Square Gardens project.

Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee noted the update on the Cabinet's response to recommendations previously made by the Community Scrutiny Committee. This item provided information on how the Cabinet had considered and acted upon the committee's suggestions.

Love Your Neighbourhood Campaign Update

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Community Services, presented an update on the Love Your Neighbourhood campaign. The report detailed the progress made in the first two years of the campaign, highlighting various initiatives and achievements aimed at improving the local environment. It also outlined the proposed plans for the third year, including a draft action plan for the campaign's next phase. The committee was invited to provide feedback and comments on these proposals. The campaign, which builds on the success of the Council's Zero Litter campaign, focuses on four key themes: changing behaviour, enforcement, community engagement, and a week of action. The report detailed achievements from Year One and Year Two, including school workshops, resident engagement events, enforcement actions, volunteer litter picker registrations, business inspections, and trials for plastic bag and wrapping collections. Year Three proposals aim to expand the initiative with a full 'Month of Action' in June.

Playing Pitches, Built Facilities (Sports and Community), and Open Spaces Strategies

Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Community Services, presented the report on the Playing Pitches, Built Facilities (Sports and Community), and Open Spaces Strategies. The purpose of the report was to inform the Community Scrutiny Committee about the key points highlighted in these strategies and to seek members' views and comments. The strategies aim to support the Local Plan and provide an evidence base for securing developer contributions towards the provision of additional open spaces, sports, and recreation facilities. The report detailed findings for football, 3G pitches, rugby union, hockey, cricket, tennis, netball, athletics, bowls, and open spaces, identifying current and projected shortfalls and recommending actions for improvement. Specific attention was given to the feasibility of a potential 'Sports Village' or Hub in Ashby-de-la-Zouch and sports hall provision in Castle Donington.

Stenson Square Gardens - Presentation of Designs Post Public Engagement and Approval to Fund and Submit Planning Application(s)

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of the Council, presented the report on the Stenson Gardens project. The report introduced the Stenson Gardens project to the Community Scrutiny Committee, outlining the business case, progress to date, and draft RIBA Stage 3 design proposals for the public realm. It also detailed the feedback received from a community engagement session held on 8 October 2025 and a draft response to these comments. The committee was asked to provide comments and observations on the draft designs for consideration by Cabinet. The project is a flagship scheme within the Coalville Regeneration Framework, aiming to create a high-quality public realm and support residential development. The public realm proposals were noted as not requiring a separate planning application but could be delivered under Permitted Development rights. The report also outlined the next steps for progressing the residential element of the project, including making an outline planning application.

Items for Inclusion in the Future Work Programme

The committee considered items for inclusion in its future work programme. The plan of forthcoming Cabinet decisions and the current work programme were attached for information. Members were asked to consider any items they wished to propose for future scrutiny.

The meeting concluded with the exclusion of the press and public to discuss exempt information related to the Coalville Old Market Hall Regeneration Proposal.