Agenda and minutes

HEARTSHIELD PROJECT

The Lord Mayor thanked those in attendance for Heartshield Presentation which highlighted the vital importance of performing CPR using a defibrillator in the event of someone suffering a cardiac arrest and showcased the need for more defibrillators into the local communities. It was noted that less than 1 in 10 survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without a defibrillator and by using one, together with CPR, chances of survival increase by up to 50% and is also supported by The Joe Humphries Memorial Trust. The Lord Mayor stressed the importance of making sure defibrillators available in every community encouraged constituents to increase these life-saving opportunities across the wards.

ASHVIR SINGH JOHAL

The Lord Mayor updated that Ashvir Singh Johal had been appointed Manager of National League side, Morecambe Football Club and became the first Sikh Manager of a professional British football club. At only 30 years of age, he also becomes the youngest head coach in the history of the top five tiers of the game. It was shared that Ashvir Singh Johal was born in Leicester, was a player and coach at Leicester’s GNG Football club before moving to Leicester City Academy where he spent 10 years. The Lord Mayor expressed congratulations to Ashvir on his appointment and wished him much success in his new role.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2025 are available to view at:

Agenda for Council on Thursday, 3 July 2025, 6:00 pm

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2025 are available to view at:

Agenda for Council on Monday, 1 September 2025, 5:00 pm

Copies are also available from Governance Support on (0116) 454 6350 or governance@leicester.gov.uk

The Lord Mayor, seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor, to move:

"That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 3 July 2025 be taken as read and are approved as a correct record.”

“That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 1 September 2025 be taken as read and are approved as a correct record.”

The Lord Mayor put the motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.

• Department of Health and Social Care response to letter sent by the City Mayor and Assistant City Mayor Councillor Dempster with regards to the GP to patient ratio in Leicester.

Councillor Dempster provided a statement to the Council on Department of Health and Social Care response to the letter sent by the City Mayor and Assistant City Mayor Councillor Dempster with regards to the GP to patient ratio in Leicester and shared that a further letter will be sent in due course.

·                     Presented by Members of the Public – None

·                     Presented by Councillors

1.    Cllr Sood, Neighbourhood conditions in London Road, Victoria Avenue and Victoria Alley area

2.    Councillor Batool and Malik, One-way Traffic Flow on St Saviours Road, Kitchener Road and Dorothy Road Roundabout.

·         Petitions to be debated – None

Petitions from Members of the Public

No petitions were received from Members of the Public.

Petitions from Councillors

Councillor Sood presented the petition with 15 valid signatures in the following terms:

“We, the undersigned residents of London Road, Victoria Avenue, and Victoria Alley in Leicester, hereby submit this formal statement to express our deep concern and frustration regarding the current conditions in our neighbourhood, which have become increasingly intolerable.

Over the past two years, shop owners on the main street have been using our residential alleyways as a dumping ground for their commercial waste. Large industrial bins, clearly belonging to businesses, are being placed directly in front of our homes, under our windows, along the primary paths we use to enter and exit our residences.

This has led to persistent foul odors, especially during warmer months, making it impossible to open our windows. Additionally, flies and other pests are constantly drawn to the area.

Another major issue is the overgrown trees, whose dense foliage has created a dark and hidden pathway. This environment has attracted homeless individuals who now sleep behind the bins, and even worse, drug users who inject heroin and leave behind used, potentially infected needles on the ground.

More recently, we have also witnessed drug dealing activities taking place late at night, and to our absolute shock, individuals engaging in sexual activity under our windows.

Furthermore, the ground is constantly littered with overflowing trash, leaking bin liquids, and scattered cardboard and waste left behind by those rummaging through the bins.

We believe this situation is not only a serious health and safety hazard, but also a disgrace to the historic and cultural value of our neighbourhood. This area is part of a heritage community, and its dignity is being severely harmed by the actions of irresponsible businesses and the lack of oversight.

We, the local residents, are requesting the following urgent actions:

1.       Immediate enforcement to prevent commercial bins from being placed in our residential alleyways.

2.       Installation of a secure gate to restrict public access and make the alley a private and safe space for residents only.

3.       Tree trimming and lighting improvements to eliminate dark corners and discourage illegal activities.

4.       Regular cleaning and waste management oversight by the local council or responsible authority.

We hope our voices will be heard, and this longstanding issue will be addressed for the safety, well-being, and dignity of our community.”

Councillor Malik to present the petition with 138 valid signatures in the following terms:

“We the undersigned Residents and Business of Dorothy Road, request Leicester City Council to make changes to the roundabout on St Saviours Road, Kitchener Road and Dorothy Road making it a ONE-WAY traffic flow of either along Kitchener Road leading to the roundabout and Dorothy Road.

The roundabout is causing traffic congestion, and we have noticed many accidents to vehicles and pedestrians on this route.

We urge Leicester City Council to take immediate action to make the necessary changes in consultation with the local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Please note that a full record of the questions and responses is available on the recording of the meeting at Council - 18 September 2025 - YouTube. Time codes for each question will be provided before the wording of the question.

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

1.         Alan Fox

0:20:03 - 0:30:00

South Highfields Neighbours has become increasingly concerned by the rapid proliferation of external insulation cladding obliterating the architectural features of our Victorian terraces. Decorative brickwork, carved house names, decorative masonry, features such as boot scrapers, are being obliterated. Even sympathetic cladding requires planning permission.

We began reporting these properties to the Leicester City Council Planning Department in January. We have thus far reported 87 in South Highfields (polling district STA). Although the Council plays a role in determining eligibility of individuals for funding, it had no idea of the scale of the problem until we pointed it out. It has no mechanism for informing householders of the requirement to obtain planning permission prior to the work being done.

Much of the work is shoddy. We all want warm homes, but we also want beautiful and healthy homes. The lack of any joined-up thinking by the Council on the issue of external wall insulation is destroying our Victorian heritage and endangering the health of some of the poorest people in our community:

The Head of Planning told us in January that the Council is “currently engaged in member Briefings and a process of determining priorities for action in this field including actions to raise awareness of the need for planning permission with people looking to take up grants with the Environment Team and Trading Standards”. We have still not been told of any outcome.

We understand that the Planning Department’s Enforcement Team has paused enforcement action in external insulation cladding cases.

What progress has the Council made to ensure that officers in different departments understand and talk to each other? What progress has been made to inform applicants of the need for planning permission before the work is done? What has been done to ensure that residents are not suffering bad health because of shoddy work? When will the Council resume its planning enforcement duties?”

Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question and to Alan Fox’s supplemental question.

2.         Nitesh Dave

0:30:00 - 0:36:00

“Local authorities have an important role to play in integrated care systems and in the improvement of local population health outcomes through the planning and provision of services. The 2022 Act established local authorities as mandated members of the Integrated Care Board, giving local authorities a greater voice than ever before in NHS decision making. How does the closure of the GP branch surgery at 10, The Common, Evington improve local health outcomes?”

Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question and to Nitesh Dave’s supplemental question.

3.         Nitesh Dave

0:36:00 - 0:39:15

“The primary aim of health scrutiny is to act as a lever to improve the health of local people, ensuring their  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council - 18 September 2025 - YouTube at time 2:36:38-3:10:30.

Councillor Dempster, seconded by City Mayor to move:

“That Council approves the adoption of the revised Community Asset Transfer (CAT) Policy in Part 4H of the Constitution”

Following the debate, the Lord Mayor put the motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.

Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council - 18 September 2025 - YouTube at time 3:10:30-3:26:45.

Councillor Cassidy, seconded by Councillor Joel to move that:

“Full Council is asked to note the report and endorse the work of scrutiny during 2024-25.”

Following the debate, the Lord Mayor put the motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.

Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council - 18 September 2025 - YouTube at time 3:26:45-4:14:08.

City Mayor, seconded by Councillor Cutkelvin to move that:

“The further report of the Ombudsman is noted. The City Mayor shall write to the Secretary of State in response to this case. We ask the Overview Select Committee to consider the Council’s letter to the Secretary of State letter, together with his reply, in considering whether a payment should be made.“

AMENDMENT

Councillor Kitterick proposed, seconded by Councillor Porter:

'This Council makes the payment to Ms X as soon as possible'

Following the debate on the amendment, under Council Procedure Rule 29 of the Council’s Constitution, three Councillors requested a recorded vote.

For the Amendment (17): Councillors: Adatia, Chauhan, Dave, Gregg, Haq Joannou, Kennedy-Lount, Kitterick, Mahesh, Modhwadia, Orton, Osman, Porter, Rae Bhatia, Sahu, Singh Patel, Westley

Against the Amendment (26): Councillors: Agath, Aldred (Lord Mayor), Bajaj, Barton, Batool, Bonham, Cassidy, Cutkelvin, Dawood, Dempster, Halford, Joel, Kaur Saini, Malik, March, Mohammed, O’Neill, Pantling, Pickering, Russell, Singh Johal, Singh Sangha, Sood, Soulsby (City Mayor), Surti and Whittle.

The Lord Mayor declared the amendment lost.

Following the debate on the original motion a vote was put to the chamber and the Lord Mayor declared the motion carried.

City Mayor, seconded by Councillor Cutkelvin to move that:

“The Petitions Scheme Amendment Report be withdrawn, with the view to being brought to the November meeting.”

The Lord Mayor put the withdrawal motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.

Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council - 18 September 2025 - YouTube at time 4:16:10-4:23:40.

Councillor Sood MBE, seconded by City Mayor to move that:

“Confirm the conferment of the City of Leicester Award to the Elvy Morton and Professor Sir Nilesh Samani in recognition of both excellence in serving the city of Leicester and for the wider recognition brought to the city through their work and endeavours.”

Following the debate, the Lord Mayor put the motion to the vote and declared the motion carried.

Motion

Proposed by Councillor Rae Bhatia, seconded by Councillor Kitterick:

“This Council notes with deep concern the continued and serious failures in core services across Leicester, which have been subject to formal criticism from multiple independent regulators and courts:

• The Care Quality Commission has rated Adult Social Care as “Requires Improvement” where carers stated lack of support and choices during their assessments, with difficulties in getting information, long median wait times for assessments including Care Act assessments, Occupational Therapy assessments and carers’ assessments.

• The Employment Tribunal found the Council guilty of racial discrimination against a senior social services employee. The Council pursued the case through two appeal defeats, wasting public funds and refusing to accept accountability.cc

• The Housing Regulator delivered one of the most severe reports, revealing that no full condition surveys have taken place since 2009, over 70 percent of homes have had no EICR checks.

• Inspectors rated the Children and Young People’s Justice Service (CYPJS) also as requires improvement - the second lowest mark possible.

• Ofsted rated Children’s Services as requiring improvement to be good in all areas, showing a marked decline in performance and raising questions over safeguarding.

These are not isolated incidents. They form a pattern of failure in which basic standards have not been met, public money has been wasted, and residents have been denied both legitimate input and justice.

The current mayoral system has enabled these failures by concentrating power in one office, removing effective scrutiny, and cutting communities out of the decision-making process. It has not delivered better outcomes. It has removed the ability of ward councillors, and residents themselves, to hold leadership to account. It is an experiment that has now failed this city.

This Council believes that the governance model must be one that serves residents, not work for those in power.

This Council therefore resolves to support a change in governance structure. The Council should move to end the mayoral system and return to a more accountable and locally responsive cabinet-and-leader model. This change is essential to restore public trust, improve service delivery, and give communities a real say in how Leicester is run.

A timeline for this change must be agreed and approved within next three months."

Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council - 18 September 2025 - YouTube at time 4:23:40-5:23:20.

A motion was presented to Council.

Proposed by Councillor Rae Bhatia, seconded by Councillor Kitterick:

“This Council notes with deep concern the continued and serious failures in core services across Leicester, which have been subject to formal criticism from multiple independent regulators and courts:

• The Care Quality Commission has rated Adult Social Care as “Requires Improvement” where carers stated lack of support and choices during their assessments, with difficulties in getting information, long median wait times for assessments including Care Act assessments, Occupational Therapy assessments and carers’ assessments.

• The Employment Tribunal found the Council guilty of racial discrimination against a senior social services employee. The Council pursued the case through two appeal defeats, wasting public funds and refusing to accept accountability.cc

• The Housing Regulator delivered one of the most severe reports, revealing that no full condition surveys have taken place since 2009, over 70 percent of homes have had no EICR checks.

• Inspectors rated the Children and Young People’s Justice Service (CYPJS) also as requires improvement - the second lowest mark possible.

• Ofsted rated Children’s Services as requiring improvement to be good in all areas, showing a marked decline in performance and raising questions over safeguarding.

These are not isolated incidents. They form a pattern of failure in which basic standards have not been met, public money has been wasted, and residents have been denied both legitimate input and justice.

The current mayoral system has enabled these failures by concentrating power in one office, removing effective scrutiny, and cutting communities out of the decision-making process. It has not delivered better outcomes. It has removed the ability of ward councillors, and residents themselves, to hold leadership to account. It is an experiment that has now failed this city.

This Council believes that the governance model must be one that serves residents, not work for those in power.

This Council therefore resolves to support a change in governance structure. The Council should move to end the mayoral system and return to a more accountable and locally responsive cabinet-and-leader model. This change is essential to restore public trust, improve service delivery, and give communities a real say in how Leicester is run.

A timeline for this change must be agreed and approved within next three months."

Following the debate, the Lord Mayor put the motion to the vote and declared the motion lost.

There being no other urgent business the meeting closed at 22:05pm.