The Leicester City Council meeting scheduled for Thursday, 26 March 2026, was set to address significant planning matters, including the adoption of the Leicester Local Plan 2020-2036 and the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 alongside the Gender Pay Gap Report for 2025. The meeting agenda also included reports on the appointment of Independent Persons to the Standards Committee and the Members' Allowances Scheme for the upcoming municipal year. Additionally, a call-in of an Executive decision regarding the future provision of libraries and community centres was scheduled for discussion.

Leicester Local Plan Adoption

A major focus of the meeting was the proposed adoption of the Leicester Local Plan 2020-2036. This comprehensive plan, developed over several years and informed by extensive public consultation and independent examination, outlines the strategy for the city's development and growth until 2036. The report pack indicated that the plan had received a positive report from Planning Inspectors, subject to a series of main modifications, which were incorporated to ensure its soundness and legal compliance.

The Local Plan aims to meet the city's housing needs, allocating sites for approximately 20,730 new homes and making provision for 34.49 hectares of employment growth. It also includes policies to address climate change, protect heritage and the natural environment, and enhance biodiversity. Key aspects for discussion included the plan's approach to housing requirements, including the demonstration of a five-year housing land supply, and the allocation of strategic sites such as the Former Western Park Golf Course, Land to the East of Ashton Green, Land North of the A46 Bypass, Land West of Anstey Lane, and Beaumont Park. The plan also details policies for employment land, town centres, retail development, the Central Development Area, climate change and flood risk, health and wellbeing, design quality, heritage, culture and tourism, open space, sports and recreation, the natural environment, transportation, minerals and waste, infrastructure delivery, neighbourhood planning, planning enforcement, and the monitoring framework. The report highlighted that the plan, with the recommended modifications, was considered to provide an appropriate basis for the planning of Leicester.

Pay Policy Statement and Gender Pay Gap Report

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the Leicester City Council's Pay Policy Statement for 2026/2027. This statement, required by the Localism Act 2011, outlines the council's approach to senior staff pay, including salary scales, performance-related pay, bonuses, termination payments, and pension arrangements, in the context of the wider workforce's pay. The report indicated that the ratio between the top earner's salary and the median salary was 4.85:1, which is lower than the previous year and significantly lower than neighbouring councils.

Additionally, the Gender Pay Gap Report for 2025 was presented for noting. This report detailed the council's mean and median gender pay gaps as of 31 March 2025. The report indicated that the mean gender pay gap widened slightly, with women's mean hourly rate (£19.22) continuing to be higher than men's (£18.30). The median gender pay gap was also negative, with women's median hourly rate (£17.50) being slightly higher than men's (£17.34). The report highlighted that these figures compare favourably against the public sector average.

Appointment of Independent Persons to the Standards Committee

The council was asked to approve the appointment of Mr Michael Edwards and Mrs Mojisola Green as statutory Independent Persons for Leicester City Council's Member Misconduct process. These appointments are required under Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 to support the standards regime and promote public confidence in the handling of standards matters. Mr Edwards is a current Independent Person, while Mrs Green brings extensive experience in equality, inclusion, and human rights from the NHS, policing, and local government.

Members' Allowances Scheme 2026/27

The meeting agenda included a recommendation to approve the Members' Allowances Scheme for the municipal year 2026/27. This scheme outlines the Basic Allowance, Special Responsibility Allowances, and Travel, Subsistence, and Dependents' Carers' Allowances for councillors. The report indicated that no amendments were proposed to the existing scheme, which was based on the 2024 recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, and that annual indexation would be applied once the staffing pay settlement for 2026/27 is known.

Call-in of Executive Decision: Future Provision of Libraries and Community Centres

A call-in of an Executive decision made by the Assistant City Mayor for Health, Culture, Libraries, and Community Centres on 11 March 2026, concerning changes to the Libraries and Community Centres Service, was scheduled for discussion. The call-in, initiated by five councillors, raised concerns about the potential loss of St Matthews and Fosse Neighbourhood Centres, the possible loss of Gilmorton Community Rooms, reduced opening hours for Evington and Knighton Libraries, proposed changes to the running of the Tudor Centre, significant increases in charges, and a reduction in the book fund. The report noted that the council has the resources to avoid these cuts and should use its reserves. The council was asked to either support the Assistant City Mayor's decision or recommend a different course of action. The report also included details of the extensive public engagement and consultation undertaken, the findings of which had led to amendments to the original proposals. These amendments included continuing council management of Evington, Knighton, and Rushey Mead Libraries with reduced hours, offering the Armadale Centre for Community Asset Transfer instead of Netherhall Neighbourhood Centre, and supporting Alice Hawkins Community Projects to relocate. Capital investment of £2 million was also proposed for building alterations and improvements.