The Cabinet of North West Leicestershire Council met on Tuesday, 28 April 2026, with a packed agenda covering a range of important local issues. Key discussions were scheduled to include strategies for playing pitches, built facilities, and open spaces across the district, alongside the review and consultation on crucial housing service policies. The meeting also planned to address financial matters, including supplementary estimates, virements, and capital approvals, as well as the regeneration project for Coalville Old Market Hall.

Playing Pitches, Built Facilities, and Open Spaces Strategies

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the strategies for playing pitches, built facilities (sports and community), and open spaces. The report, presented by Councillor Michael Wyatt, Portfolio Holder for Community Services, aimed to inform Cabinet of the key points within these strategies and seek approval to include them as an evidence base for the emerging North West Leicestershire Local Plan. The strategies, developed by Kavanagh, Knight, and Page, cover football, rugby union, hockey, cricket, tennis, netball, athletics, bowls, and various community facilities and open spaces. They identify current and future gaps in provision, cost these, and prioritise improvements. The report detailed specific needs for different sports, including a shortfall in youth football pitches, a need for additional 3G pitches, and recommendations for improving pitch quality and ancillary facilities. For open spaces, the strategies highlighted shortfalls in parks and gardens, natural and semi-natural greenspace, and amenity greenspace in certain areas, while noting adequate provision for cemeteries and churchyards. The report also outlined strategies for Ashby Sports Hub feasibility and sports hall provision in Castle Donington.

Housing Service Policies: Reasonable Adjustments, No Access, and Aids and Adaptations

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Housing and Property Portfolio Holder, presented a report seeking Cabinet's approval for the approach to consulting stakeholders on the review and development of three key housing policies: Reasonable Adjustments, No Access, and Aids and Adaptations. The Reasonable Adjustments Policy aims to ensure the Council actively identifies and removes barriers to accessing services, while the No Access Policy sets out the circumstances under which the Council may need to access a resident's home and the process if access is denied. The Aids and Adaptations Policy, due for review, outlines considerations for alterations to Council properties to improve health and safety. Consultation with tenants and stakeholders was planned for May 2026, with final policy approval anticipated in January 2027.

Supplementary Estimates, Virements and Capital Approvals

Councillor Keith Merrie MBE, Finance and Corporate Portfolio Holder, presented a report seeking approval to move a capital scheme related to a Mobile Vehicle Message Sign (matrix trailer) for Castle Donington from the development pool to the active programme. The £20,000 budget for this scheme had previously been approved by Council on 19 February 2026.

Coalville Old Market Hall Regeneration Project

Councillor Richard Blunt, Leader of the Council, presented the report concerning the regeneration project for Coalville Old Market Hall. This item was scheduled for discussion, with the report detailing the project's background, purpose, and financial implications.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The agenda also included items on the procurement of a laundry equipment contractor and the award of housing contracts to Groundworks Five Counties. Additionally, there was a planned discussion regarding the Leicester and Leicestershire Authorities Statement of Common Ground for strategic distribution and housing distribution under the new standard method. A Biodiversity Duty Report was also scheduled for consideration, along with the Freeport – Change of Accountable Body. Finally, the future of rough sleeping provision, renewal of contracts for planned maintenance and estate upgrades, and the exclusion of the press and public from certain agenda items were also listed for discussion.