Agenda and minutes

Maganbhai Patel OBE

The Lord Mayor informed that Maganbhai Patel passed away on 4 February 2025. Maganbhai was a prominent member of the Hindu community but was also known more widely across the whole city as a kind and warm-hearted gentleman.  He was the former President of Gujurat Hindu Association and the Mandhata Samaj and for many years chaired the Hindu Festival Committee.  The Lord Mayor expressed condolences to Maganbhai Patel’s family, friends and colleagues.

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Retirement of Rob Nixon QPM

The Lord Mayor thanked the Chief Constable, Rob Nixon QPM, for his dedication, commitment and long service over the last 32 years as he retires from the Leicestershire Police at the end of March 2025. The Lord Mayor shared that the Chief Constable took the role in 2022, guided the force through significant transformation, change and led major national initiatives, particularly in criminal justice. The Lord Mayor on behalf of all council members, wished Rob Nixon every success and offered sincere thanks for his service to the people of Leicester.

Charity Jailbreak

The Lord Mayor informed that on 3 April, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Teresa Aldred, will be raising money in support of Triple Skillz Charity, a local charity based in Leicester. The charity’s work focusses on the development, inspiration and achievement of young people through sports, music, drama and shared activities. The Lord Mayor encouraged support of the initiative which will raise funds for a project to mentor young people who may be at risk of offending, reoffending and exploitation.

The Lord Mayor used his discretion under Council Procedure Rule 11 to vary the Order of Business, and to bring forward item 8a to follow item 5.

The Lord Mayor invited Members to declare any interests they might have in the business to be discussed.

There were no declarations.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2025 are available to view at: Agenda for Council on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 5:00 pm

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

Moved by the Lord Mayor, seconded by the Deputy Lord Mayor and carried:

"That the minutes of Council held on 19 February 2025, be taken as read and are approved as a correct record.”

The City Mayor echoed the Lord Mayor’s sentiments regarding the sad passing on Maganbhai Patel OBE, recognising his significant contributions to the community. He also extended his thanks and best wishes to Rob Nixon QPM on his retirement.

The City Mayor highlighted the success of the recent Light up Leicester event, which featured parades and performances by local schools and community groups. The event attracted 93,000 attendees over four days and generated an economic impact of approximately £4.5m. The total cost of the event was £320,000, funded by a range of sources including a £50,000 contribution from the City Council. The City Mayor congratulated and expressed appreciation to all Council staff, volunteers, participating artists, organisations and presenting partners BID Leicester, Leicester Cathedral and Art Reach. He also thanked the Arts Council England, National Heritage Lottery Fund, Global Streets, PPL PRS, and the headline sponsor, Highcross, for their generous support.

The City Mayor informed Council that in February 2025, Leicester City Council alongside Leicestershire County Council, Districts and Rutland were invited by the government to submit proposals for a single-tier model of local government for the area. An interim submission has been sent to government proposing expansion of the City’s boundaries. The City Mayor emphasised that this remains an initial proposal, with the government expecting final proposals by 26^th of November 2025. He reiterated that there will be opportunities for members of the council to engage in discussion and contribute their views ahead of the final submission. He also noted that detailed research and analysis will be undertaken as part of the process.

-           Presented by Members of the Public - None

-           Presented by Councillors - None

-           Petitions to be debated - None

Petitions from Members of the Public

No petitions were received from Members of the Public.

Petitions from Councillors

No petitions were received from Councillors.

Petitions to be debated

No petitions were received to be debated.

Please note that a full record of the questions and responses is available on  the recording of the meeting at Council 20 March 2025 - YouTube Time codes for each question will be provided before the wording of the question.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

No questions received from Members of the Public.

QUESTIONS FROM COUNCILLORS

Note

The Lord Mayor requests that Members take account of the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14 in the Council’s Constitution in putting questions and in particular Rule 14 (a) (vi) regarding supplementary questions:

“(vi) At the meeting, after a question has been given a reply (including by way of a consolidated reply), the person who asked the question may ask one supplementary question for the purposes of clarifying the reply and, in the following paragraphs of this part of this Rule the word 'question' shall include such a supplementary question.”

1.    Cllr Haq

0:35:14 - 0:38:35

“What is the total amount of Staff hours spent by council Staff on Send appeals and hearing in 2024 ? And the cost?”

Councillor Pantling provided a response to this question and to Cllr Haq’s supplemental question.

2.    Cllr March

0:38:35 - 0:41:50

“The Clarendon Park playground remains closed and has done for too long. It is a vital asset to the local community, a lifeline for many families and very well used throughout the year, especially as the weather is improving. When can people expect the park to be open safely again,  please?" ”

Councillor Dempster provided a response to this question and to Cllr March’s supplemental question.

3.    Cllr Haq

0:41:50 - 0:47:10

“Why and When did Leicester city council decide to count PIP allowance as income? And how much extra money will be raised by the extra council tax received?”

City Mayor provided a response to this question and to Cllr Haq’s supplemental question.

4.    Cllr Haq

0:47:10 - 0:50:40

“How much was the cost of the Dial a ride service? And why has it ceased ? ”

Councillor Whittle provided a response to this question and to Cllr Haq’s supplemental question.

5.    Cllr Singh Patel

0:50:40-0:55:15

“Over the years, more and more children's homes are being opened. But what is City Council doing to help children recover and return to their families? How many children have successfully gone back home? What measures are being taken to improve the service in reuniting children with their parents/families?”

Councillor Pantling provided a response to this question and to Cllr Singh Patel’s supplemental question.

6.    Cllr Gopal

0:55:15-0:57:25

“Private hire taxi drivers are facing difficulties dropping passengers at St Margaret Bus Station due to the limited parking space as there is only one designated spot in front of the taxi rank. If they attempt to use any other area the traffic marshals either stop them or issue a ticket. Could Council look into providing additional spaces for private hire taxi drivers too?”

Councillor Cutkelvin provided a response to this question.

7.    Cllr Chauhan

0:57:25-1:00:37

“Under Museums  ...  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 20 March 2025 - YouTube at time 2:47:12-3:22:45.

Councillor Malik, seconded by Councillor Sood MBE, to move that Council:

“That Council approves the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/2026 (Appendix A)

b) That Council notes the Gender Pay Gap Report for 2024 (Appendix B)”

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 20 March 2025 - YouTube at time 3:22:45-4:00:45.

Councillor Whittle, seconded by Councillor Sood MBE, to move:

“It is recommended that the Council approves the Air Quality Action Plan 2025-2030 for adoption”

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

The Lord Mayor used his discretion under Council Procedure Rule 11 to vary the Order of Business, and to bring forward item 8a to this part of the meeting.

Please note that a full record of the of the discussion is available on the recording of the meeting at Council 20 March 2025 - YouTube at time 0:25:00-0:31:00

City Mayor, seconded by Councillor Cutkelvin, to move that Council:

“To agree that pursuant to Section 54 of the Courts Act 1971, His Honour Judge Timothy Spencer KC be appointed to the office of Honorary Recorder of Leicester during his tenure as Resident Circuit Judge.”

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

The Lord Mayor informed that the Overview Select Committee on the 19^th of March 2025 resolved that the call-in be withdrawn and therefore Council does not have the requirement or the mandate, to consider it.

There were no notices for a motion.

There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 21.04.