Agenda and minutes

To issue a welcome to those present, and to confirm if there are any apologies for absence.

The Chair welcomed those present to the meeting.

Apologies were received from Cllr Rae Bhatia – Cllr Gopal substituted.

Apologies were received from Cllr Osman – Cllr Orton substituted.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed on the agenda.

Members were asked to declare any interests they may have had in the business to be discussed.

Councillor Porter declared that he had helped to word the Call-in on the Market Redevelopment.

The minutes of the meeting of the Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commission held on 22/04/2026 as well as the special meeting, which took place on 06/08/26, have been circulated and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

AGREED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Economic Development, Transport and Climate Emergency Scrutiny Commissions held on 22^nd April 2026 and 6^th August 2026 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Chair is invited to make any announcements as they see fit. 

The Chair welcomed members of the Young People’s Council to the meeting.

The Chair added that the Call in of the Market Development decision had been taken as a late item of urgent business.

Any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures will be reported.

The Monitoring Officer reported that none had been received.

Any petitions received in accordance with Council procedures will be reported.

The Monitoring Officer reported that none had been received.

The City Transport Director submits a report to the commission on the work done to date regarding young person’s bus travel. Highlighting initiatives both local and national and the next stages of work.

The City Transport Director submitted a report to the commission on the work done to date regarding young person’s bus travel. Highlighting initiatives both local and national and the next stages of work.

Members of the Young People's Council (YPC) attended the meeting to share their views.

Key points included:

• The City Transport Director thanked the YPC members for their previous contributions and for their work on the survey which had been very helpful.
• Since the previous discussion on the issue, there had been a commitment to look at the measures discussed.  Some of these had been able to be launched.  The Flexi Fare cap now meant it was the cheapest day fare available.  Additionally, the cost of student tickets had allowed cheaper access to education and meant that there was no need to purchase an annual ticket.
• The change in national government had led to schemes coming forward such as the £2 bus fare cap, and the extension of the 16-17 Railcard to be valid a year from purchase, even if the person turns 18 during that time.  The Railcard also gave a discount on Flexi Fare but tickets.
• There were still commitments to address, and work was ongoing with bus operating companies and the government, lobbying for national fare initiatives and looking for opportunities for grant funding.
• It was necessary to look at the impact of the £2 fare cap, looking at the impact of the bus market and the levels of fares and subsidies.
• There would be further engagement with YPC members.

The Chair raised that it had been requested that officers look into affordable options for reduced bus fares for young people over 16. 

The City Transport Director explained that the options that had been brought in were the options that were found to be viable and affordable, such as the Flexi Fare cap and the reduction of student tickets.

The YPC members shared their views on the issue.  Key points included:

• Issues were raised surrounding frequency and reliability, and it was noted that sometimes the times on the website and those at the bus stop were inconsistent.
• Officers were thanked for what had been done so far, especially regarding the free August bus travel. It was enquired as to whether this could be extended to other holidays.
• The cumulative cost of travel for families with multiple children was highlighted as a particular concern.
• Concern was raised surrounding the safety of young people on buses and ways to report Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB).
• Cleanliness issues were raised.
• It was suggested that adult fares should begin at 18 rather than 16.

In response to the points raised by the YPC members, the City Transport Director noted that:

• Issues surrounding bus times would be picked up with the team.  In theory the times should work form the same data set and printed timetables should only be changed twice a year.
• The free August bus travel was a government initiative, but the Department for Transport (DfT) would look at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 238.

The Chair agreed to an agenda variation.  Any Other Business: Call-in of Executive Decisions Leicester Market Redevelopment was taken prior to the Local Transport 2027/28 Programme.

The Chair announced that under Scrutiny Procedure Rule 4E Rule 15, she had agreed to accept the following item on the Call-in of a decision relating to Leicester Market due to the timings of the next scheduled meeting.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report informing the Commission that an executive decision taken by the City Mayor on 13 August 2026 relating to Leicester Market had been the subject of a 5-member call-in under the procedures at Rule 12 of Part 4D, City Mayor and Executive Procedure Rules, of the Council’s Constitution.

The Chair clearly outlined the process that she would follow in determining how to resolve the call-in. The Commission was recommended to either:

a) Note the report without further comment or recommendation. (If the report was noted the process continues and the call-in will be considered at Council on Full Council or 

b) Comment on the specific issues raised by the call-in. (If comments were made the process continues and the comments and call-in would be considered at Full Council); or 

c) Resolve that the call-in be withdrawn (If the committee wished for there to be no further action on the call-in, then they must actively withdraw it. If withdrawal was agreed the call-in process stops, the call-in would not be considered at Full Council and the original decision takes immediate effect without amendment).

The proposer of the call-in, Councillor Kitterick, was not present. Councillor Porter, as one of the signatories to the call-in, presented the case.

The following points were raised:

• Support was expressed for Leicester Market and its long-term success, recognising its importance as one of the oldest markets in the country.
• Concerns were raised regarding a lack of clarity about the final vision for the market and whether the redevelopment would ultimately deliver the intended outcomes.
• It was acknowledged that archaeological discoveries had delayed the project and that Leicester's heritage should be preserved. However, questions were raised regarding the impact of those delays on project costs and the potential for further budget increases.
• Clarification was sought regarding the original project budget, the amount allocated for archaeology, the extent of borrowing required, the financial impact of delays and the measures in place to control future cost increases.
• Assurances were requested that taxpayers would receive value for money and that the additional expenditure would deliver tangible benefits to the overall scheme.
• Concerns raised by market traders were reported, including views that the original intention had been to improve existing market facilities rather than create a larger, more flexible open space.
• It was suggested that the archaeological expenditure should be subject to further scrutiny and that a detailed breakdown of costs be provided.
• Questions were raised as to whether the scale of the archaeological discoveries could reasonably have been anticipated given previous city centre redevelopment projects.
• Concerns were expressed regarding the overall cost of the scheme, its long-term financial implications and the adequacy of consultation undertaken with traders and stakeholders.

The Chair reminded Members that the call-in related specifically to the additional £1.9 million funding required for archaeological works and that wider matters concerning the future operation and design of the market would be considered through a separate report at a future meeting.

The Chair invited the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 240.

The City Transport Director submits a report to the Commission on the proposed transport capital works programme for the 2027 – 2028 financial year. The report details the Local Transport Grant, its requirements and aims make Members of the Commission aware of forthcoming opportunities to refresh ward priorities and feed into the programme

The City Transport Director submitted a report to the Commission on the proposed transport capital works programme for the 2027 – 2028 financial year. The report details the Local Transport Grant, its requirements and aims make Members of the Commission aware of forthcoming opportunities to refresh ward priorities and feed into the programme.

In addition to the slides as attached with the agenda pack, other key points included:

• The scheme involved a significant amount of money across the city and there had been lots of investment in works across the city and in the neighbourhoods.
• Other surfacing works would take place, but the ones on the slide were the ones that had been identified at this time.
• Reactive maintenance took place to bring standards up.
• Every project needed to show to be beneficial.

In response to member questions and discussion, the following was noted:

• It was clarified that the £6.3m was only a capital allocation, although there was a revenue allocation that had been used for student and flexi fares.
• In response to a query on the pedestrian crossing on the junction between Welford Road and University Road, it was clarified that local people and the university had asked that a pedestrian phase be installed on University Road.  It was further explained that in any schemes with traffic signals, area traffic control was worked with so people could cross where and when they needed to whilst still ensuring movement for vehicles.
• It was explained that many streets in the Cultural Quarter still needed maintenance on their surfaces.  The plan for this could be shared with the Commission nearer the time.
• In response to a query on the costs surrounding the Beaumont Leys temporary scheme, it was acknowledged that costs could be extensive for such schemes, but the council were keen to deliver a solution that tied in with existing infrastructure.  There were lots of active travel schemes, and resources were better directed to high-quality schemes designed to be of considerable value.
• In response to further comments on the Beaumont Leys temporary scheme, it was reported that it was currently in the very early stages.  A topographical survey had been requested, and this would determine what could be done and how.  Concept work and preliminary work would then be carried out, and Councillors would be worked with on what could be taken forward.  Many variables still needed to be worked through, but a more detailed discussion could be had once more information was available.
• Responding to a query on parking in the Beamont Leys scheme, it was too early to discuss specifics, but it was acknowledged that there was a level of parking and this would look to be retained as much as possible whilst staying safe.
• Reports form the public informed the Council on where road maintenance was needed.  Additionally, there was a routine maintenance programme that was assessed on standards, and intervention would be made if needed.  Work was undertaken when issues were raised and concerns raised through the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 241.

Members of the Commission will be asked to consider the work programme and make suggestions for additional items as it considers necessary.

It was noted that the work programme would be revisited in the new municipal year.

The work programme was noted. 

The meeting finished at 19:22