No disclosures were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2025 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2025, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

Requests received by the Protocol deadline to be reported by the Senior Democratic Services Officer with details of the Agenda Item to which they relate. (Such persons entitled to use the Protocol attend for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to the business of the meeting and the time allocated to each person is a maximum of three minutes unless extended at the discretion of the Chairman).

No requests were received.

To consider the report of Chief Executive (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the final Local Government Reorganisation Proposal for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland be endorsed for submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government by 28 November 2025. 

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Leader and Chief Executive to make any minor changes required to the final Proposal prior to submission.

Reasons:

1.    To ensure the Local Government Reorganisation Proposal prepared by the boroughs/districts and Rutland can be submitted in accordance with the required timescales for consideration by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

2.    To ensure amendments can be made to reflect the feedback from the governance processes and updated information.

Considered – Report of the Corporate Services Group Manager & Monitoring Officer, presented by the Leader, Cllr Ben Taylor..

Other Options Considered:

The options appraisal set out in Section 2 of the proposal considers 5 different options and explains the analysis and judgements made for each.

The Council could do nothing and not provide a submission to government, as it is not a statutory requirement, however it is important that the Council expresses a view, otherwise the Government has indicated it will impose (through legislation) a solution that it thinks will work for an area. The Council will also be a statutory consultee on all proposals that are taken forward by government for LLR, thus giving the Council the opportunity to comment on alternative proposals at that stage.

To consider the report of Accountancy Services Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the financial performance against the budget for the quarter ending 30th September 2025 be accepted.

2.    That the irrecoverable debts set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report be authorised to be written off.

3.    That delegated authority is given to the Executive Director (S151 Officer) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, People and Transformation to make the decision whether Blaby District Council continues to be a member of the Leicestershire Business Rates pool, as detailed in paragraph 4.6 of the report.

Reasons:

1.    It is good practice that Members have oversight of the Council’s financial performance at regular points during the financial year.

2.    To recognise movements in the call on reserves and balances to date, along with potential variances in establishment costs and key income streams that may arise between now and the end of the financial year.

3.    To enable an assessment to be carried out following the Settlement announcement as to whether it continues to be advantageous for Blaby District Council to remain within the Leicestershire Business Rate Pool.

Considered – Report of the Accountancy Services Manager.

Other Options Considered:

None.

To consider the report of Accountancy Services Manager (enclosed).

DECISION

That the Schedule of Charges for 2026/27, appearing at Appendix A of the report, be approved.

Reason:

To ensure that the fees and charges for 2026/27 are formally set and approved.

Considered – Report of the Accountancy Services Manager.

Other Options Considered:

Not to review the fees and charges.  However, it is considered appropriate that, where possible, charges should be set at a level necessary to achieve full cost recovery.

To consider the report of Performance & Information Service Manager (enclosed).

DECISION

That the progress made against the Corporate Action Plan 2025-26 be noted.

Reason:

It is important that Elected Members and staff are familiar with how the Council is delivering against its agreed actions and priorities.

Considered – Report of the Performance & Information Service Manager, presented by the Executive Director - Communities.

Other Options Considered:

No other options were considered. It is important that residents, partners, Elected Members, and staff are familiar with how the Council is delivering against its agreed actions and priorities. 

To consider the report of Housing Strategy Team Leader (enclosed).

DECISION

That the Tenancy Strategy 2025 be adopted.

Reason:

To ensure that our current Tenancy Strategy reflects the needs of our residents and supports the aims of the Housing Services Team to ensure the provision of the most suitable tenures, tenancy agreements and rent levels in our affordable housing stock.

Considered – Report of the Housing Strategy Team Leader

Other Options Considered:

To retain the previous Tenancy Strategy. 

To consider the report of Environmental Services Team Leader (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the Air Quality Action Plan 2025 – 2029 be approved for publication.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Environmental Health, Housing & Community Services Group Manager, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to make minor amendments to Air Quality Action Plan 2025 - 2029 prior to publication.

Reasons:

1.    The Council is required to produce an Air Quality Action Plan following the declaration of an Air Quality Management Area

2.    To allow for small changes to be made to the Air Quality Action Plan prior to submission to Defra and publication.

Considered – Report of the Environmental Services Team Leader

Other Options Considered:

The Council is legally required to produce an Air Quality Action Plan following the declaration of a new Air Quality Management Area and therefore no other options have been considered.