Cllr. Luke Cousin raised the following question to Cllr. Ben Taylor, Leader of the Council:

"I was surprised to read recently that levels of reading for pleasure are at an all time low. National Year of Reading 2026 has been set up, a collaboration between the Department of Education and the National Literacy Trust, to help promote reading in children and adults alike. 

Some statistics from the national literacy trust in 2025 have found just 1 in 3 children enjoy reading. Fewer than 1 in 5 read daily. It should come as no surprise that young people who enjoy reading have statistically significant improved literacy scores, which directly links to school grades and comprehension in our increasingly feed focused online world.

As part of the initiative, individuals, businesses, and communities are being asked to get involved. I have signed up to become a National Year of Reading Champion. I, currently, coordinate with one of my local schools, Manorfield C of E Primary School, as a member of the Parent, Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA), to run a Literary Festival which is in its 4th year. We have had Masked Reader games, writing competitions, Library integration events, a Roving bookshop, and a Book Swap. which sees families donate unwanted books which are subsequently made freely available for other students to take, ensuring every child has book of their choice to read. The spine (pardon the pun) of the event is a read-a-thon, an optional participatory fundraising event to promote the students to raise money in exchange for reading books, or however parents and guardians want to encourage them to read, with suggestions and new themes each year.

I have been promoting reading of any type as beneficial, as long as the child enjoys it. This includes, but is not limited to; graphic novels, manuals, walk-through guides for games, fiction and non-fiction books, poetry and, even, community information boards.

I know we are not the education authority, however, we have a remit in the community and I would like to ask our community and youth focused cabinet members and champions what we will do for our communities to promote this worthy initiative for 2026? 

I also ask whether Blaby District Council, as an employer, and our councillors will sign up to be champions, like I have, and actively encouraged our residents to find the joy in reading, once again?"

Cllr. Ben Taylor, Leader of the Council responded:

“This is a great initiative and I fully support us encouraging children across Blaby District to read and enjoy reading.  If you are happy to co-ordinate I think we should all be encouraged to get involved in the book swap by giving you suitable books we might have.  In addition, I would encourage all Councillors to look at the champions roles and if they are interested encourage them to sign up.  I’d also advocate us to spread the word about this work through our community networks.  I would like to add that as part of the volunteering scheme we run for staff that many have in the past been and read with children in local schools and we will continue to operate and facilitate opportunities such as this going forward.  As this is a question there is no time to debate this matter, as such perhaps this is something we can explore further at our group leaders meeting, with the option to consider as a motion at our next Council meeting.”