Much of my time as Acting Leader of the County Council over the past month has been spent on meetings and discussions, following the government sending the county council further information regarding local government organisation. Further details are below.
I chaired the Police and Crime Panel on Wednesday 5th February, where the annual budget was discussed. The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC presented his proposed budget to members of the county’s Police and Crime Panel including his recommendation for a £14 per annum increase in the amount of council tax paid towards policing for a Band D property – 27p extra per week.
The County Council held their budget meeting on Wednesday 19th February. The council agreed a 4.99% Council Tax rise from April – equating to £1.54 more a week for a Band D property.
Around £95m more will be spent supporting vulnerable children and adults, the current programme for fixing potholes and roads will increase by £28m and another £1.5m will be invested in helping communities clean up and become flood-ready, bringing the total to £18.4m by 2029.
Reserves will be used to manage a small budget gap next year – by 2027, this gap is forecast to increase to £38m and rise to £91m by 2029.
Local Government Re-Organisation
Following my report in last month's edition, the County Council has now heard back from the government regarding our request to postpone the County Council’s election in May 2025. This request was refused by the government so the elections will still go ahead on 1st May 2025.
The Government is clear it wants to move away from ‘two tier’ local government, as exists in Leicestershire, and expects all county councils, districts/boroughs, and neighbouring unitaries to provide proposals for change.
Local Government Reorganisation is a condition of devolution – which would unlock more money to fix roads and other services our residents value, plus new powers to coordinate planning and join-up transport.
The Government’s timetable says that interim proposals need to be submitted by 21st March – with final reorganisation proposals to be made by November 2025.
Leicestershire County Council is drawing up a common-sense plan to create one council for Leicestershire (excluding Rutland and Leicester City), forging stronger links with communities, reducing duplication and simplifying local government.
The County Council has launched a public engagement brief survey and residents, organisations, and businesses are being encouraged to respond to help shape the interim plan.
You can find out further details and respond to the survey on the website: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/news/call-for-feedback-on-one-council-proposal
Health Research
Would you like to help shape the future of health research and get paid in the process?
Leicestershire County Council has been awarded funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research to bring together local authorities, universities, and most importantly, people in the local community, to drive meaningful change through the Leicestershire Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC).
The HDRC is looking for people to take part in a Citizen Assembly at County Hall in Glenfield on Saturday, 15 March, from 10am to 4pm.
Participants will receive £100 in vouchers for their time and involvement. No special skills or knowledge are needed - just your willingness to share your thoughts and experiences.
Anyone who would like to get involved can fill out an expression of interest form: https://surveys.leics.gov.uk/snapwebhost/s.asp?k=173633128295
Pharmacy Services
A consultation for residents to have their say on pharmacy services in their local community is now open.
Every three years, pharmaceutical needs assessments (PNAs) are carried out around the country to ensure that local community pharmacies (often known as chemist shops) are meeting the pharmaceutical needs of local people. The PNA helps the local NHS to manage and make decisions about requests from pharmacists or pharmacy businesses to set up new community pharmacies, merge businesses, or move premises within Leicestershire. It also considers the accessibility and effectiveness of service delivery. They also provide insight into other areas where improvements can be made.
The Boards will publish the results of initial the survey, and these will be used to help prepare the draft pharmaceutical needs assessment which will be consulted on later in the year.
The survey is open until 4 April 2025, please visit the webpage to take part: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/have-your-say/current-engagement/pharmaceutical-needs-assessment
Support for Residents
A website designed to match residents with people who can help support them has been launched: https://leicestershire.panoticeboard.org.uk/
Leicestershire County Council has created the handy online tool to help people continue to live independently at home.
Both those with care and support needs, and people working as ‘personal assistants’ (PAs), are encouraged to sign up.
The county council has worked with ‘Possibility People’ to create the ‘PA noticeboard’ following the success of this approach in other areas of the country.
Anyone unable to register on the PA Noticeboard can contact the Direct Payment Support Team by sending them an email: [email protected]
Charnwood Museum
A new exhibition has opened to explore the meanings, memories and connections behind historic jewellery and the jewellery we treasure at Charnwood Museum.
Inspired by the remarkable discovery of the 3,500-year-old Bronze Age necklace found in Cossington, Leicestershire, the new exhibition ‘My Jewellery, My Story’, bridges together the past and present showcasing artefacts alongside creative displays and stories from Leicestershire’s communities.
The project has been made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England as part of the National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) programme of activities in market town museums.
Alongside the unique artefacts from the Leicestershire Museums Collections, visitors can enjoy playful and interactive displays, films that showcase digital storytelling from the project and an engaging trail connecting this exhibition to the display of the original Cossington Necklace.
A new film by ‘AncientCraftUK’ is also on display which puts a spotlight on the story of the original necklace and its discovery by archaeologists from University of Leicester Archaeological Services – from analysis to recreation.
Many community groups and organisations contributed to the project bringing to life stories, poetry, photos, and giant artworks creating a truly collaborative exhibition.
Young refugees and asylum seekers from local charity Baca co-created their own section of the exhibition where they have shared what jewellery means to them.
The exhibition is free admission and open until 15th June 2025.
Nominate Net Zero Heroes
An exciting new initiative has been launched by Leicestershire County Council to celebrate individuals and groups across the county who are making a difference in the fight against climate change.
The Net Zero Heroes scheme invites residents to nominate individuals or groups who are taking positive climate action and living sustainably in their local communities.
The scheme aims to shine a spotlight on the inspirational efforts of local people contributing to the county’s ambition of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Nominations are open for a wide range of climate-focused activities, including but not limited to:
- Nature projects such as tree planting, rewilding, or creating a community garden
- Environmental volunteering in the community or setting up volunteer groups
- Installation of renewable energy sources or retrofitting their property or community buildings with energy saving measures
- Reducing private car use by cycling, walking, and using public transport, and promoting active travel in their community
- Educating others about environmental issues
- Establishing reuse or repair services
- Charitable work focused on sustainability and supporting the environment
- Becoming a flood warden or tree warden.
Nominate a Net Zero Hero on our Net Zero web page.
Cropston Road, Anstey
I have been working on issues of speeding traffic and pedestrian safety on Cropston Road. After 4 years of work, I have finally managed to get the funding from Leicester City Council released, which they have been sitting on for several years. This funding is from the developers of the Ashton Green estate, just over the city boundary with Thurcaston.
Leicestershire County Council proposes to install a signalised pedestrian crossing on Cropston Road, between its junctions with Rowan Drive and Link Road as shown on the plan. The crossing is to provide connectivity for pedestrians across Cropston Road and a safe crossing point for students from The Martin High School and Woolden Hill Primary School.
The public consultation was launched on Monday 24th February, and closes on 17th March.
I have printed a copy of the plan, and provided the link, where you can find out further information.
Documents can be viewed online: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/roads-and-travel/cars-and-parking/traffic-management-consultations or scan this QR code
Objections to the proposals, specifying the grounds on which they are made, should be sent in writing to Lauren Haslam, Director of Law and Governance, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RA by not later than 17th March 2025, quoting reference KJ/HTWMT/5913.
Alternatively, objections can be emailed to [email protected] or via the online comment form which may be accessed via the link above. If you require alternative formats of this Notice, including larger print or braille, please contact Leicestershire County Council on (0116) 305 0001.
If you have any issues or concerns, I’m here to help.
