Agenda and minutes

LEICESTER NIRVANA FOOTBALL CLUB

The Lord Mayor congratulated the Leicester Nirvana Football Club who have been crowned the National Winners of the FA Club of the Year and highlighted the club’s outstanding contribution to football and the local community to become grassroots club of the year. The Lord Mayor expressed congratulations to all those who make Leicester Nirvana more than just a football club including the coaches, volunteers, players, parents, and supporters.

ANNIVERSARY OF TWINNING WITH THE CITY OF STRASBOURG

The Lord Mayor informed that the Mayor of Strasbourg visited Leicester last week to mark the 65^th Anniversary of twinning between the two cities. The Lord Mayor explained how town twinning creates opportunities to encourage social, educational, and cultural interactions. The Lord Mayor shared that a signing of the Declaration of Renewal of the Twinning Charter took place.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Motion: Housing Regulation and Leicester Housing Issues

Proposed by Councillor Haq to move that:

This council notes the following

The judgement by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) of Leicester City Council's Housing Department, identifying serious failings and the need to make significant improvements.

The judgment of Maladministration by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in the case of Ms X.

The refusal by Leicester City Council to pay Ms X a symbolic payment of £1300 for distress and £150 for every month Ms X experienced this distress.

The failure of Leicester City Council to deliver Hospital Close for rent which it purchased over 4 years ago.

The decision by Leicester City Council to sell multiple small sites and properties, including a number on existing city estates, which could have been used to build new houses to rent for the people of Leicester.

The move by the council instead to house people in unsuitable properties well below National Designated Space Standards.

This council resolves

That due to multiple failures, wasted opportunities, maladministration and the refusal to recognise these failings and the refusal to compensate for that maladministration; that this council has no confidence in the Leadership of Leicester City Council's Housing Department. If this is  continued we will not see any improvement in the situation and  it will continue the decline in the housing situation in the city. 

Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Special Council 1 September 2025 - YouTube at 0:07:57 – 1:21:50.

Motion: Housing Regulation and Leicester Housing Issues

Proposed by Councillor Haq, seconded by Councillor Rae Bhatia to move that:

This council notes the following

The judgement by the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) of Leicester City Council's Housing Department, identifying serious failings and the need to make significant improvements.

The judgment of Maladministration by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman in the case of Ms X.

The refusal by Leicester City Council to pay Ms X a symbolic payment of £1300 for distress and £150 for every month Ms X experienced this distress. The failure of Leicester City Council to deliver Hospital Close for rent which it purchased over 4 years ago.

The decision by Leicester City Council to sell multiple small sites and properties, including a number on existing city estates, which could have been used to build new houses to rent for the people of Leicester.

The move by the council instead to house people in unsuitable properties well below National Designated Space Standards.

This council resolves

That due to multiple failures, wasted opportunities, maladministration and the refusal to recognise these failings and the refusal to compensate for that maladministration; that this council has no confidence in the Leadership of Leicester City Council's Housing Department. If this is continued we will not see any improvement in the situation and it will continue the decline in the housing situation in the city.

FRIENDLY AMENDMENT

During the debate on the substantive Motion, the following Amendment was moved and seconded:

Proposed by Councillor Haq, seconded by Councillor Rae Bhatia:

This Council notes with deep concern the recent report from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) into the services delivered by the Housing Department of Leicester City Council. The report highlights serious failings and makes clear the urgent need for significant improvements.

The Council believes that these failures, particularly in meeting the required standards of care and support for tenants, stems from a lack of rigorous oversight and accountability within the Executive. In light of this, we call upon the Deputy City Mayor, as the portfolio holder responsible, to resign. Such a step would send a clear message about the importance of responsibility and accountability in public office.

In addition, this Council resolves that a cross-party committee of members should be established to scrutinise the RSH findings and oversee the implementation of its recommendations, ensuring that the necessary reforms are carried out effectively and transparently.

VOTE: There immediately followed a vote on the friendly amendment which was not carried.

During the debate on the substantive motion, the following Amendment was moved and seconded:

AMENDMENT

Proposed by Councillor O’Neill, seconded by Councillor Cutkelvin:

“Since declaring Leicester Cities Housing Crisis in 2022, pressures in Housing have continued to mount. Following various developments in the housing sector including new regulations for social landlords  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 18:21.