The Cabinet of North West Leicestershire Council met on Tuesday, 24 March 2026. The meeting included the approval of supplementary estimates, virements, and the movement of capital schemes from the development pool to the active programme. The Cabinet also agreed to write off property and trade waste debts totalling over £116,000. The meeting saw the approval of the details of the Legacy Grant process and the closed Churchyards/Cemeteries grant scheme. The Stenson Square Gardens regeneration project advanced with approval to fund next stages and submit planning applications.

Supplementary Estimates, Virements and Capital Approvals

The Cabinet approved the movement of Capital Schemes from the development pool to the active programme, in line with the Council's Financial Procedure Rules and Capital Strategy.

Former Tenant Rent Arrears, Current Tenant Rent Arrears, Council Tax, Non-Domestic Rates and Sundry Debts Write Offs

Cabinet approved the write-off of two debts totalling £116,980.74. This included a property debt of £19,377.40 relating to unpaid rent from 2022, where the customer had been evicted and entered liquidation. Additionally, a trade waste debt of £97,503.34, outstanding from June to October 2025, was written off after the company entered voluntary liquidation. These write-offs comply with proper accounting practices.

Legacy Fund Grant

The details of the Legacy Grant process for applications were approved, following consideration of comments made by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee. This included the approval of the details of the closed Churchyards/Cemeteries grant scheme. The Legacy Grant Scheme is designed to provide financial support to local organisations delivering projects that benefit residents, with revenue grants of up to £25,000 and capital grants of up to £250,000 available. The scheme aims to complement existing grant programmes by supporting larger-scale community investment.

Stenson Square Gardens - Presentation of Designs Post Public Engagement and Approval to Fund and Submit Planning Applications

The Cabinet noted feedback from a community engagement session held on 8 October 2025 and the comments and recommendations from the Community Scrutiny Committee on 25 February 2026 regarding the Stenson Gardens project. A sum of £276,258 was approved to be moved from the development pool to the active programme in the capital programme to fund the next stages of the project. ARUP was appointed to provide design services for RIBA stage 4 of the public realm project, and authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Place to appoint consultants and submit an outline planning application for residential use on the former council offices site. The Cabinet also agreed that it would undertake further marketing to showcase design visuals and promote the project to encourage community involvement.

Freeport – Change of Accountable Body

The transfer of accountable body status for the East Midlands Freeport (EMF) from Leicestershire County Council (LCC) to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) was approved. EMCCA will become a founder member of the East Midlands Freeport. Any necessary changes to governance documents to facilitate this transfer were also agreed. This decision aligns with government expectations for Freeports and Investment Zones to be brought together at a local level under the banner of 'Industrial Strategy Zone' sites.

Good Design Guide for North West Leicestershire

The Cabinet recommended the Good Design Guide for North West Leicestershire Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for adoption to the Local Plan Committee. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Place to agree any minor modifications to the final draft SPD prior to its adoption. This guide aims to raise the quality of new development and aligns with the National Model Design Code.

Leicester and Leicestershire Authorities Statement of Common Ground – Strategic Distribution

The Cabinet considered the draft Leicester and Leicestershire Statement of Common Ground for strategic warehousing, dated January 2026. Any comments made by the Cabinet were to be forwarded to the Council for consideration at its meeting on 12 May 2026. The statement confirms an agreed need for 3,969,400 sqm of additional strategic warehousing floorspace between 2023 and 2046 across Leicester and Leicestershire, with North West Leicestershire apportioned the largest share of this need.

Leicester and Leicestershire Authorities Statement of Common Ground – Housing Distribution Under the New Standard Method

The Cabinet considered the draft Leicester and Leicestershire Statement of Common Ground relating to housing distribution, dated December 2025. Any comments made by the Cabinet were to be forwarded to the Council for consideration at its meeting on 12 May 2026. The statement reflects changes to the standard method for calculating local housing need, resulting in an increased housing requirement for North West Leicestershire. The proposed annual housing requirement for the district between 2024 and 2042 is 690 dwellings per annum.

Biodiversity Duty Report

It was recommended that the Council's Biodiversity Duty Report be approved. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Communities to make minor amendments to the report prior to its final submission. The report details existing policies, objectives, partnerships, and actions, as well as future plans to meet the statutory duty.

Future of Rough Sleeping Provision

The Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report concerning the future of rough sleeping provision. This decision was deemed urgent to allow the Council to implement the decision to bring the outreach service in-house in time for 1 April.

Renewal of Contracts for Planned Maintenance and Estate Upgrades

The Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report regarding the renewal of contracts for planned maintenance and estate upgrades. This decision was made to comply with the Council's constitution.

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

The Cabinet approved the North West Leicestershire Playing Pitches and Outdoor Sports, Built Facilities, and Open Spaces Strategies. These strategies will serve as an evidence base for the emerging Local Plan, allowing the Council and Parish/Town councils to potentially secure Section 106 contributions from developers for infrastructure improvements. The Council will progress projects it has the resources to deliver within the remaining timeline for this Council.

Housing Service Permission to Consult on Three Housing Policies: Reasonable Adjustments Policy, No Access Policy and Aids and Adaptations Policy

The Cabinet approved the draft Reasonable Adjustments Policy, No Access Policy, and Aids and Adaptations Policy for stakeholder consultation. Following the consultation, these policies will return to Cabinet for approval to adopt.

Permission to Consult for the Review of Housing Strategy

The Cabinet approved the approach to the consultation on the Council's Housing Strategy. Authority was delegated to the Head of Housing, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to agree the final version of the public consultation and future consultation themes and materials.

Procurement of Laundry Equipment Contractor

The Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report concerning the procurement of a laundry equipment contractor. This decision was necessary as the total potential value of the contract exceeded £100,000 and a procurement exemption was required due to a lack of competition.

Award of Housing Contracts - Groundworks Five Counties

The Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report regarding the award of housing contracts to Groundworks Five Counties. Cabinet approval was required as the total potential value of the contract exceeded £100,000 and a procurement exemption was necessary due to a lack of competition.

Coalville Old Market Hall Regeneration Project

The Cabinet approved the recommendations in the report concerning the Coalville Old Market Hall Regeneration Project. This decision enables a planning application to be submitted and outlines how the project will be progressed, subject to planning permission being granted, including initial estimates of the investment required.