No disclosures were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2025 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meetings held on 16 September 2025, as circulated, were approved and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman, Cllr. Roy Denney made announcements in respect of the following:

·         Attended a service of dedication at Leicester Cathedral, marking the completion of the updated works on 12 October 2025.

·         Hosted the Chairman at Home event at the Blaby District Council Offices on 19 October 2025, raising £450 for LOROS.

·         Attended North West Leicestershire District Council’s Chairmans Charity Dinner.

·         Attended the Royal British Legions Festival of Remembrance at De Montfort Hall.

·         Attended the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire’s Service of Dedication at St. Johns Baptist Church.

·         Attended a Charity Quiz at Melton Mowbray.

The Chairman, Cllr. Roy Denney also made announcements in respect of the following upcoming events:

·         Civil Carol Service taking place on 11 December 2025, advising that tickets are already sold out.

·         Attending both Melton Mowbray’s & Hinckley’s Christmas Carol Service in December 2025.

·         Attending a Charity Pantomime in Hinckley in January 2026

·         Attending LOROS Charity event at Blaby District Council on 6 February 2026

Cllr. Roy Denney encouraged Members to fully engage with the upcoming Scrutiny Budget Meetings.

Cllr. Denney invited the Vice Chairman, Cllr. Janet Forey to make her announcements in respect of the following:

·         Attended a Civic Service at St. Mary’s Church in Melton Mowbray on 19 October 2025.

·         Attended a Service held by the Armed Forces Veterans Club in South Wigston on 1 November 2025.

·         Attended the Remembrance Service held at Blaby District Council Offices on 9 November 2025.

Cllr. Adrian Clifford arrived at the meeting during this item.

The Leader, Cllr. Ben Taylor presented his statement in respect of the following:

• Local Government Reorganisation update
• Community Awards
• Solar Panels at Enderby Leisure Centre
• Huncote Open Space Plans
• Jobs and Skills fair
• World or Work visit
• Update from the Active Blaby team
• White Ribbon Day, 25 November 2025
• Recruitment of Waste Services
• In-house ICT Update
• ICT gains cyber-secure accreditation

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed).

Members were advised that this item had been withdrawn.

Members will receive a presentation from the Chief Executive and Cllr. Ben Taylor - Leader of the Council.

Members received a presentation from Cllr, Ben Taylor, Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.

The presentation covered the following points:

• Our Approach – Districts and Rutland
• Meeting the Governments Objectives
• Our Proposal: North, City, South
• BDC Role in Proposal Development
• Efficiencies, Investment & Long-term sustainability
• Our Governance Process
• Scrutiny Feedback
• Changes to be made to the Proposal following Councillors Feedback
• Key reasons why we believe North, City, South is the best proposal
• Next steps

Petition request:

We the undersigned, petition Blaby District Council to reopen the Huncote BMX track, which has long been a valued recreational space for riders of all ages.

The track has provided a safe, accessible, and fun environment for children, teenagers, and adults to enjoy cycling, develop skills, and stay active. Since its closure, local riders have lost a much-loved facility that supported physical health, mental well-being, and community spirit.

With BMX cycling now recognised as an Olympic sport, and more young people than ever inspired to take part, reopening the Huncote track would encourage healthy lifestyles, reduce anti-social behaviour, and give local families a place to come together.

We urge Blaby District Council to prioritise repairing and reopening the BMX track so our community can once again enjoy this.

The Council will receive the Petition and refer it to the relevant Portfolio Holder and Director for a response.

Members were advised that this item had been withdrawn.

Requests received by the Protocol deadline to be reported by the Monitoring 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.

Any Members wishing to submit questions must do so to the Monitoring Officer no later than 5 working days before the meeting.

The Monitoring Officer will report if any questions have been submitted.

Cllr. Maggie Wright raised the following question to Cllr. Nigel Grundy, Neighbourhood Services & Assets Portfolio Holder:

“At full council on 19 November 2024 the council approved the disposal of land at Holt Crescent allotments to Thurlaston Parish Council. Some tidying up of the site has taken place in preparation for transfer. However, to date, a year on, no communication has been received by Thurlaston Parish Council to complete this transfer.

1.    Why is the transfer taking so long?

2.    Why has there been no communication with the Parish Council regarding the legal transfer?

3.    What now is the expected timeframe for this simple disposal being completed?

Cllr. Nigel Grundy, Neighbourhood Services & Assets Portfolio Holder, responded:

“Can I thank Cllr Wright for her question, a number of pieces of land were approved for disposal in November 2024, in relation to Holt Crescent Allotments, Councillor Wright will be aware that  before a transfer of the site could take place a number of remedial actions were required much of which required seasonal consideration. For this site the actions required were as follows:

·         The advertisement of the site in a public notice as required by the Local Government Act 1972.

·         Tree surveys

·         Removal of dangerous trees with consent required with adjoining landowner for access.

·         Asbestos removal by specialist company.

Following completion of the above the legal team instructed external solicitors (Pathfinder) to act on behalf of BDC in July. Pathfinder Legal have regretfully not carried out the legal instruction to our satisfaction, including failing to make contact with the Parish Council to advise that they had been instructed until very recently. This has been a frustrating experience for all involved and we regret any impact that the lack of progress may have had on Thurlaston Parish Council. I would like to reassure you that we have terminated instructions with Pathfinder and instructed new external solicitors who have a solid track record and resources to progress the transfers in what we expect to be a much timelier manner going forward. Whilst it is not possible to commit to a timeframe for completion of this transfer I can reassure you that a much stricter regime is now in place to monitor progress on this matter.”

Cllr. Maggie Wright asked the following supplementary question:

“I’d like to thank Cllr. Grundy for his response. I’d also like to thank him for emailing the Thurlaston Parish Council Clerk and myself yesterday afternoon apologising for the delay and giving assurance that a much stricter regime is now in place to monitor the transfer. This communication was really appreciated and welcomed so thankyou. The subsequent question is that this has been about poor communication - Who is the dedicated Case Officer within Blaby District Council that either the clerk or myself can now contact if the new outsourced solicitors do not progress the transfer, or if we have any problems?”

The Executive Director (Communities) & Deputy Monitoring Officer responded that Cllr. Maggie Wright should contact her directly to address any further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139.

To consider the report of the Elections and Governance Manager (enclosed).

Considered - Report of the Elections and Governance Manager, presented by Executive Director (Communities).

To consider the report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer (enclosed).

Considered - Report of the Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer, presented by Executive Director (Communities).

To consider the report of the Business Systems & Information Manager (enclosed).

Considered - Report of the Business Systems & Information Manager, presented by Cllr. Ben Taylor – Leader of the Council.

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

Considered - Report of the Accountancy Services Manager, presented by Cllr. Cheryl Cashmore – Finance, People and Performance Portfolio Holder and Deputy Leader.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed).

Considered - Report of the Finance Group Manager, presented by Cllr. Cheryl Cashmore – Finance, People and Performance Portfolio Holder and Deputy Leader.

The Executive Director (Section 151 Officer) advised Members that there is an error on page 63 of the agenda advising that it should be corrected to 31 March 2026 instead of 31^st March 2025.

To consider passing the following resolution:

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that the items involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act.

Agenda Item 17: ?Investment in Housing to Provide Temporary Accommodation and increase the Council’s Affordable Housing Provision

Exemption Category: 3

Reasons for Exemption:

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Public Interest Test: The public interest test has been considered and, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption is considered to outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Considered – A proposed resolution to exclude the public from the meeting.  

Following consideration of this item the Chair, Cllr. Roy Denney announced that the livestream would end to allow the item to be considered in closed session.

To consider the report of the Executive Director (Section 151 Officer) (enclosed).

The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:36pm to allow for a comfort break. The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 7:42pm.

Cllr. Dillan Shikotra left the meeting during consideration of this item and did not return.

Considered - Report of the Executive Director (Section 151 Officer) presented by Cllr. Cheryl Cashmore – Finance, People and Performance Portfolio Holder and Deputy Leader.