The Cabinet of Leicestershire County Council met on Tuesday 24 March 2026 to discuss and approve a range of strategies and programmes. Key decisions included the approval of the 2026/27 Highways and Transportation Capital Programme and Works Programme, the commencement of consultation on the Enabling Travel Choice Strategy, and the transfer of the Accountable Body role for the East Midlands Freeport.

Highways and Transportation Capital Programme and Works Programme 2026/27

The Cabinet approved the 2026/27 Highways and Transportation Capital Programme and Works Programme. This programme, developed within a challenging financial context, aims to deliver essential infrastructure projects for the upcoming financial year. The approval also noted the submission of the draft Local Transport Delivery Plan to the Department for Transport. The Director of Environment and Transport was authorised to secure external funding, enter into necessary contracts for early contractor involvement, and undertake preparatory work for savings outlined in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. The report highlighted the ongoing deterioration of the road network due to under-investment and the increasing demands from population growth and climate change impacts, emphasizing the need for additional funding from various sources.

Delivering the Local Transport Plan (LTP4) 2025-2040 - Enabling Travel Choice Strategy

The Cabinet approved the draft Enabling Travel Choice Strategy (ETCS) for a twelve-week public consultation. This strategy, part of the Council's Local Transport Plan (LTP4), aims to enable people to make informed travel choices across all modes of transport. The initial consultation revealed that public transport issues were the most significant barrier to accessing local services, and that women experienced greater transport barriers than men. The draft strategy includes 15 policies covering a flexible, place-based approach, value for money, piloting innovative solutions, and working with existing communities and businesses. The consultation will seek views from local communities, partners, and stakeholders to inform the final version of the ETCS, which will be presented to the Cabinet in Autumn 2026.

East Midlands Freeport: Change of Accountable Body and Governance Implications

The Cabinet noted the transfer of the Accountable Body role for the East Midlands Freeport (EMF) from the County Council to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). This transfer is driven by national policy and ministerial directives following EMCCA's establishment as a Mayoral Strategic Authority. The Chief Executive was delegated authority to take all necessary actions as a member organisation of the EMF, excluding matters reserved for the EMF Board Director. The transfer is scheduled to be effective by 31 March 2026. Discussions are ongoing regarding potential governance and voting imbalances arising from EMCCA's proposed Founding Member status, with Leicestershire authorities seeking assurances and proposing an additional vote to maintain balance.

Leicestershire School Term Dates Autumn 2027 to Summer 2032

The Cabinet recommended that a public consultation be undertaken on three potential models for Leicestershire school term and holiday dates for the academic years 2027/28 to 2031/32. The Education Act 2002 mandates the Council to determine school days, ensuring at least 190 days per year. The proposed models aim to address concerns such as learning loss over the long summer break, childcare costs, and the impact of differing term dates on families with children in different schools. Leicestershire County Council and Leicester City Council have jointly developed these models, with a preference for Model 1, which offers a two-week autumn half-term and an early summer break. A further report will be presented in July 2026 detailing the consultation outcomes and a recommended model.

'Belonging in Education' Strategy 2026-2029

The Cabinet approved the draft 'Belonging in Education' Strategy for consultation. This strategy aims to foster a strong sense of belonging for all children and young people in their school and community environments across Leicestershire. Developed collaboratively with schools, parents, and professionals, the strategy aligns with the government's White Paper, 'Every Child Achieving and Thriving'. It outlines four key priorities: ensuring every child feels a sense of belonging, building relationships as foundations, empowering children to be authors of their own life stories, and equipping schools to provide timely support. A further report will be submitted in July 2026 presenting the consultation outcomes and the final Strategy for approval.

Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2026-2029 - Permission to Consult

The Cabinet approved the draft Domestic Abuse Reduction Strategy 2026-2029 for a twelve-week public and stakeholder consultation. The strategy, developed following a SafeLives Needs Assessment and extensive engagement, aims to improve data quality and information sharing, strengthen early intervention and prevention, enhance targeted support and safe accommodation, and foster strong partnerships. Consultation is crucial to ensure the final strategy reflects the views of survivors and partners, meets statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, and demonstrates transparency. A further report will be presented in July 2026 with consultation findings and the final Strategy for approval.

Draft Leicestershire Carers Strategy 2026-2030

The Cabinet approved the draft Leicestershire Carers Strategy 2026-2030 for public consultation. This strategy aims to recognise, value, and support carers in Leicestershire, building on previous joint strategies and addressing feedback from over 300 adult carers and young carers. Key themes identified include the need for recognition and validation of the caring role, access to respite, tackling loneliness, clearer information and advice, easier access to services outside working hours, support groups, and addressing the cost of support and access to health services. The consultation will run for eight weeks from 20 April 2026, coinciding with Carers Week. A further report will be presented in September 2026 with consultation outcomes and the final Strategy for approval.

Local Government Reorganisation - Response to Consultation

The Cabinet approved the consultation response to the Government's proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. This response, along with associated ratings, will be submitted to the Government by the deadline of 26 March 2026. The Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Director of Corporate Resources, was authorised to make necessary amendments to the response, provided they did not alter the underlying principles. The comments of the Scrutiny Commission were also noted.

A511 Growth Corridor - Approval to Undertake Pre-Commencement Works and Submit the Full Business Case

The Cabinet authorised the Director of Environment and Transport and the Director of Corporate Resources to undertake a series of pre-commencement works for the A511 Growth Corridor. These works, which could include advance diversion of statutory undertakers' services, site clearance, and advance land purchase, are intended to mitigate potential risks associated with project delays and cost escalations. The Directors were also authorised to submit the Full Business Case to the Department for Transport, provided that the contractor's target cost price exercise demonstrates value for money and remains within the overall funding envelope. The final decision on progressing the scheme to construction will be sought from the Cabinet in Autumn 2026. The report highlighted that the scheme would be funded by a combination of Section 106 funding and grant funding from the Department for Transport's Major Road Network fund.