The Corporate Scrutiny Committee of North West Leicestershire Council met on Thursday, 19 March 2026, to discuss a range of important council matters. Key decisions made included recommendations to Cabinet regarding the Moira Furnace restoration project, a postponement of the proposed two-hour free parking in Coalville pending a district-wide review, and the recognition of funding for the Ashby Canal project. The committee also reviewed the Council Delivery Plan performance for the third quarter of 2025/26 and considered the Housing Improvement Strategy Action Plan.

Council Delivery Plan - Performance Report - 2025/26 Quarter 3

The committee reviewed the Council Delivery Plan's performance for the third quarter of 2025/26, covering the period from October to December 2025. The report highlighted significant progress in the Planning and Regeneration portfolio, with the Planning and Development Team exceeding national determination targets. Work on the new Good Design Guide for North West Leicestershire was also progressing well, with public consultation completed. Regeneration objectives were advancing, particularly in Coalville, with flagship projects like the Marlborough Centre moving forward.

In Housing and Communities, strengths were noted in private sector housing compliance and food safety performance. Leisure services at Coalville and Whitwick Leisure Centre achieved the highest possible Quest Outstanding status. The Clean and Green priorities showed progress in the waste service transformation programme and strong results in carbon reduction. The Well-Run Council theme saw improvements in complaint response performance and a strong financial position.

However, areas requiring improvement were identified. Tenant satisfaction indicators for housing services declined, although monthly figures showed upward trends. Customer complaint timeliness remained below the 90% year-end target, and progress towards the 2050 carbon neutrality target was more challenging, particularly in harder-to-decarbonise areas.

Housing Improvement Strategy Action Plan Post-Inspection

The committee considered the draft Housing Improvement Strategy Action Plan, designed to address findings from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) following an inspection in August 2025. The RSH had concluded that North West Leicestershire District Council had some weaknesses in delivering the outcomes of the consumer standards, specifically in relation to the Safety and Quality Standard and the Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard, resulting in a C2 grading.

The Action Plan aims to achieve a C1 reclassification by improving outcomes for customers, doing the basics well, enhancing complaint handling, reducing repair times, increasing customer data usage, and fostering greater tenant engagement. Key objectives include improving Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), enhancing Tenant Satisfaction Measures (TSMs), and effective risk management. The plan proposes a strengthened co-produced approach with tenants, including the creation of a tenant-led Housing Improvement Group (HIG) to support the work of the existing Tenant Scrutiny model and the Member-led Housing Improvement Board (HIB). The plan is to be delivered within the approved Housing budgets for 2026/27 and 2027/28.

Legacy Fund Grant and Closed Churchyards/Cemeteries Grant Scheme

The committee reviewed proposals for a Legacy Grant Scheme and a grant scheme for closed churchyards and cemeteries, both approved by Council on 19 February 2026. The Legacy Grant Scheme, with a £2 million fund, aims to support local initiatives and properties that provide long-term benefits. It will operate through two strands: revenue grants of up to £25,000 for activities and capital grants of up to £250,000 for community assets. Applications will be assessed by officers against published criteria, with decisions on awards delegated to officers, except for awards exceeding £100,000, which will require Cabinet approval.

The Closed Churchyards/Cemeteries Grant Scheme is designed to assist parish councils with the costs of maintaining these sites, preventing the financial burden from falling onto local precepts. The scheme will support revenue and capital expenditure directly related to maintenance, safety, accessibility, and improvement of eligible sites.

The committee was asked to provide comments on the proposed administration arrangements and assessment criteria for both schemes.

Biodiversity Duty Report

The committee received the Council's first Biodiversity Duty Report, covering the period 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2025. This report details how the Council has complied with its statutory duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity, as required by the Environment Act 2021 and the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. The report outlines existing policies, objectives, partnerships, and actions, as well as future plans.

Key policies and strategies referenced include the Council Delivery Plan 2023–2028, the Zero Carbon Roadmap, the Leicestershire Climate and Nature Pact, the Environmental Policy (January 2026), the Tree, Woodland and Hedgerow Management Strategy (2025), and the North West Leicestershire Local Plan (2021). Partnership working with organisations such as The National Forest, Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust, and the River Mease Partnership was highlighted.

The report also detailed actions undertaken to meet Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) obligations, including processing planning applications, securing BNG through legal agreements, and monitoring compliance. Future actions will focus on restoring and reconnecting habitats, embedding nature-based solutions, and progressing the new Local Plan and Good Design Guide.

Items for Inclusion in the Future Work Programme

The committee noted the future work programme, with officers advising that additional budget items might be added following the arrival of the new Strategic Director of Resources. The work programme included items such as the Finance Update for 2025/26 Quarter 3, the Corporate Asset Management Strategy, Customer Services Performance Update, Annual Corporate Complaints, and the Annual Scrutiny Report.

Outstanding Actions Update

Members commented on the outstanding actions, noting that the information regarding the Marlborough Centre funding figures had not yet been provided, despite being marked as 'completed'. Officers confirmed this information was being compiled and would be shared before going to Cabinet in August 2026.

Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Recommendations

The committee discussed Cabinet's responses to previous scrutiny recommendations. Regarding the Housing Improvement Strategy Plan Post-Inspection, a member queried the accessibility of the document, and officers confirmed that a more accessible version was in progress and due to undergo tenant engagement. For the Legacy Fund Grant and Closed Churchyards/Cemeteries Grant Scheme, a member inquired about progress on data protection considerations for publishing unsuccessful grant outcomes. Officers stated this was ongoing and would be handled by the new Strategic Director of Resources.

Corporate Business Continuity Policy

Concerns were raised that the Corporate Business Continuity Policy did not extensively address the risks of future pandemics. Officers clarified that while the policy was generic, detailed service-level plans existed for specific incidents, and pandemic risks were captured in the risk register.

Annual Corporate Complaints 2025/26

Members welcomed the breakdown of complaints but noted that response times needed improvement.

Corporate Compensation and Remedies Policy

Members sought clarity on section 5 of the policy regarding instances where compensation was unlikely to be appropriate. Officers agreed to rephrase this section and explained that the Council was not liable for damage caused by non-Council tenants. Improvements to the quality of complaint responses, aligning with Ombudsman approaches, were welcomed.

Customer Service Performance 2025/26

Concerns were raised about the percentage of abandoned calls, which officers attributed to staffing issues, vacant posts, and an increase in complex enquiries. The lack of a callback service was noted, with consideration being given to introducing one as part of a new telephony contract.

Annual Scrutiny Report 2025/26

A member highlighted an inaccuracy in the committee membership within the report, which officers agreed to correct before it was presented to the Council. Authority was delegated to the Scrutiny Committee Chairs to make final amendments to the report.