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 form Cllr Waddington.

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

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting of the Culture and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission held on Thursday 22^nd January 2026 have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

AGREED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Culture and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Commission held on 22 January 2026 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

The Chair suggested that reports be taken as read where possible.

The Chair also made members aware of the first meeting of the Task Group on Community Asset Transfer would be on 12^th March.

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 Director of Tourism Culture and Economy submits a report to provide an update on the delivery of the Museums and Galleries Strategy, focusing upon operational changes at Abbey Pumping Station and Newarke Houses Museum.

The Director of Tourism Culture and Economy submitted a report to provide an update on the delivery of the Museums and Galleries Strategy, focusing upon operational changes at Abbey Pumping Station and Newarke Houses Museum. 

The Assistant City Mayor for Health, Culture, Libraries and Community Centres introduced the item noting that continued investment into the museums was key. Maintenance and upkeep continued throughout the venues.  

The Head of Arts and Museums provided an overview of the report, key points to note were as follows: 

• The strategy was implemented nearly a year ago, the vision had been to develop a cost effective, accessible service. 

• Significant investment had taken place over the previous decade which included an investment of £1.9m at Newarke Houses Museum. A recent Stage 1 grant had been secured from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Leicester Museum and Art Gallery. In total £29m would have been invested in the service, upon completion of the development. 

• Further Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding had recently been secured. Since 2018 National Portfolio Organisation funding of just over £400K a year has enabled a range of activities, in addition to those provided by the core budget. Further funding of £400k was confirmed for this year and a further application had been submitted for the following year. 

• Offsite activities were highlighted and engagement had increased by 12% during the year, it was expected that by the end of the 2025/26 year 110,000 people would have been reached. 

• Operational Changes at Abbey Pumping Station and Newarke Houses Museums were made from 1^st May 2025. The relocation of the Food and Craft Fair from Belgrave Hall to the Abbey Pumping Station had resulted in an 70% increase in visitor numbers. 

• Initiatives to increase engagement for children and young people included the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme at Abbey Pumping Station over the summer, with 416 participations. Children received a nutritious meal as part of the visit. 

• In total there had been nearly 16,000 visitors from 1^st May, with additional offsite activity with volunteers. 

• Newarke Houses Museum had been open for special events such as the Siege of Leicester event programme and for Heritage Open Days. School visits had also continued. 

• The museum service was on track to deliver on the vison and strategic objectives.  

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

• The Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation funding is would be used at multiple sites, including Newarke Houses Museum and Abbey Pumping Station. 

• The steam train continued to be in operation at Abbey Pumping Station, including on event days and railway days.  Families had the option to visit the free museums. A proposal to open Newarke Houses Museum at Easter would be considered. 

• The team had designed a portable cabinet of curiosities to engage with the wider community. A calendar of events would be distributed to the commission.  

• Regular surveys were conducted to capture the amount of new engagement from taking the service out into the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 190.

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services submits a report on progress with selective licensing schemes in the city.

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Environmental Services submitted a report on progress with selective licensing schemes in the city. 

The Deputy City Mayor for Housing, Economy and Neighbourhoods introduced the item, noting that the process had been very thorough and was delivering on targets. The first five-year cycle was coming to an end. Implementation of the Renter’s Rights Act 2025 was imminent and would impact on the responsibilities for the private sector teams. 

The Head of Regulatory Services gave a presentation as attached to the agenda, key points to note were as follows: 

• It was estimated that there were around 8000 licensable properties in the 3 areas. At the end of 2025 around 77% of the applications expected across the 5 years had been received, with the majority having been dealt with. 

• For the number of applications within each designated area, Westcotes and the Fosse area had the highest numbers received. 

• Most hazards were category 2 and were required to be addressed for licensing. In many cases formal action did not need to be taken after issues being highlighted to the landlord.  

• Where necessary work to rectify was not organised by the landlord, the council may undertake these works in default and the costs recharged to the landlord. 

• Formal actions included hazard awareness notices, improvement notices and prohibition orders - an incremental approach was usually taken. 

• There were a number of investigations in process. 

• Landlords were invited to regular forums. 

• Team changes had included new management.  

• A planned piece of work included reviewing designations, all three of which were due to end next year. Consideration would be given as to whether they needed to continue.  

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

• The Council was not permitted to generate a profit on the scheme, and any income was reinvested back into delivery. A realistic fee was set to cover programme delivery costs and support the empowerment, education and signposting of landlords. Unlike some authorities, the scheme used a combined fee of £1,290 and included inspections to confirm properties meet minimum standards before a licence is granted. The cash flow forecast was under review. 

• A different framework of standards was in place for council properties. A dip sample had taken place to support the Housing service which found consistency with the Housing team. The Decent Homes Standard would be implemented as part of the Renters Rights Act in the future, bringing changes to the private letting sector. 

• The timescale to resolve hazards was dependent on the severity of the hazard. Landlords were responsible for arranging any alternative accommodation during rectification periods. 

• The private rented sector team could investigate housing standards issues such as damp and mould, overcrowding and fire safety across all rented properties in the city regardless of licensing. 

• There was not a ruling on how often properties would be inspected but robust checks were completed. 

• For the numbers awaiting licensing, work was in place which included door knocking and leaflets being left. Tenants were also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 191.

The Director of Neighbourhood & Environmental Services and the Head of Safer Communities will give a presentation providing an update on the development of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the outer city areas.

The Director of Neighbourhood & Environmental Services and the Head of  Safer Communities gave a presentation providing an update on the development of a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for the outer city

areas.

The Deputy City Mayor for Housing, Economy and Neighbourhoods introduced the report and noted that it needed to be a data-driven exercise and that expectations would need to be managed.

Slides were presented as attached to the agenda pack.  Additional key points to note were as follows:

• This was a work in progress, but the presentation gave an early insight into the formation of the proposed second PSPO (PSPO2).
• There had been a limited amount of responses from Ward Councillors, and there was a need to encourage the public to take part of the consultation process.
• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) had been recorded in different locations by different teams, so a variety of data had been collected.
• Types of ASB were sometimes interconnected.
• E-bikes had been an issue with regard to vehicle-based ASB.
• The timeline had changed since the slides had been published and it was currently aimed to push back the timeline to give a realistic timeframe, the timeline was now running 2-4 weeks behind.  It was important to ensure that this was done correctly and not rushed through.

In response to member discussion, the following was noted:

• In response to a query on the clarity of boundaries, it was noted that geolocations were mapped by postcode and the boundaries were exact.  It was further noted that it was useful for ward residents to encourage them to take part in the consultation.
• It was also important for residents to report ASB.  The Love Clean Streets app could be used for this, there were also QR codes that could be scanned.  Additionally, a new tool and web portal was being launched.  People could also report via computers in libraries, where staff could help.  If people did not report, data was not available.
• With regard to fly-tipping this was dealt with by City Wardens.  This used a similar data set and dashboards.  This work could increase as more data was received.
• This work would have a team of 11 officers to look after PSPO1 and to do targeted work in PSPO2.
• Data could be analysed to see where problems were likely to occur and when.  Some issues, such as fireworks, were seasonal.
• This scheme was about project-based intervention work.  The team could support and intervene where necessary and work could be done and measured to see if had a positive impact.
• As the project was data-led, if there was a specific issue then hotspots and trends could be identified, and the team could look to be deployed, highlighting the importance of reports.
• The scheme would go live in the Autumn, and staff would be appointed from April.  These staff could be deployed in Wards for targeted intervention work.
• Councillors were encouraged to bear in mind the key facts (as set out on the slide) when talking to constituents.
• It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 192.

The Director of Corporate Services submits a report setting out the details of the Government’s Pride in Place Programme (PiPP), including information on compliance, mobilisation, governance, and early groundwork actions required for this long-term initiative.

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report setting out the details of  the Government’s Pride in Place Programme (PiPP), including information on compliance, mobilisation, governance, and early groundwork actions required for this long-term initiative.

Key points to note were as follows:

• The Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) was distinct from the Pride in Place Impact Fund.
• A government initiative had been launched at the end of 2025, and an understanding of what was required had been developed.
• The programme looked to focus on creating thriving places, stronger communities and community democracy (giving residents a say over what was needed in the area).
• Up to £20m over 10 years had been identified by the government.  This would be split into 63% Capital (i.e. buildings) and 37% Revenue (i.e. services).
• Deprivation data was used to identify areas that needed investment.  The government also used a Community Needs Index, although the Council did not have access to this.
• Three areas were considered in the report, these were Middle Layer Super Output Areas (MSOA).
• The money would not be received in one go, it would be received over three periods.  The first would be received between now and the 2029/2030 financial year, the second between 2030 and 2031/32, and the last between 2033/34 and 2035/36.
• The Council had a responsibility to an outside body to ensure spending was consistent with financial spend rules.  Procurement was taken into account.  Transparency on spending was needed.  It was necessary to ensure that each area was spending within government guidelines.
• It was necessary to support programme delivery.  Part of this was recruiting an independent Chair with the local MP.  A job profile had been identified for this and it was now out to expressions of interest.  There were specific rules on who qualified around local connections and the skills and capabilities to fulfil the role.
• It was necessary to create a plan for each area on how to spend the money over a ten year period.
• Neighbourhood Boards would be resident-led with between eight and fifteen people on each board.  The bards would contain at least one Ward Councillor, and MP, as police officer and representatives from anchor institutions, but the majority would be residents.
• It was necessary to collect information as the accountable body and then it would be necessary to go through the process of engagement and to go through designs for areas and spending plans.  Each plan needed to be submitted by the end of November.

In response to member discussion, the following was noted:

• It was clarified that areas were based on MSOAs rather than Wards.
• It was acknowledged that there could be logistical problems for MPs and it was being asked as to whether MPs could send representatives.  The programme needed to be community-led, but the MP would have a role in the recruitment of the Chair.
• With regard to questions about how this differed from historical schemes, it was noted that there had been lots of investment in buildings and spaces  ...  view the full minutes text for item 193.

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

The work programme was noted.

There being no further items of urgent business, the meeting finished at 8:12pm