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. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Osman and Cllr Bhatia. Cllr Chauhan attended as substitute.

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

Members were asked to disclose any pecuniary or other interests they may have in the business on the agenda. There were no declarations of interest made.

The minutes of the meeting of the Overview Select Committee held on 2^nd February 2026 have been circulated, and Members will be asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Cllr Porter updated the Committee on the outcome of his Freedom of Information request in relation to the X Ltd case. It was stated that the required information had not been received and a complaint had been submitted to the Information Commissioner.

An update was provided on the call in of the executive decision relating to the Mr X case. The Council had recently announced that it had reversed its original decision and would pay the compensation.

AGREED:

·       That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2nd February 2026 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

The Chair informed the Committee that there would be a 15 minute break at 6.15pm to allow Members who were fasting to break their fast.

To note progress on actions agreed at the previous meeting and not reported elsewhere on the agenda (if any).

The Chair noted that members had been updated via email on progress on previous actions from the meeting on 2^nd February. No queries were made in respect of progress on actions agreed at the previous meeting.

The Monitoring Officer to report on the receipt of any questions, representations and statements of case submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no questions, representations and statements of case had been submitted in accordance with the Council’s procedures.

The Monitoring Officer to report on any petitions received.

The Monitoring Officer reported that no petitions had been received.

The Monitoring Officer submits a report that updates Members on the monitoring of outstanding petitions. The Committee is asked to note the current outstanding petitions and agree to remove those petitions marked ‘Petitions Process Complete’ from the report.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report which provided an update on the status of outstanding petitions against the Council’s target of providing a formal response within three months of being referred to the Divisional Director. The following was noted:

Cllr Waddington stated that she had received a large number of petition proformas to sign off, with an increasing number relating to residents’ parking zones across the city. It was noted that there were a significant number of areas awaiting consideration for parking schemes and that the process was staff intensive prior to completion.

The City Mayor explained that when the schemes were first introduced there had been resistance, however this had now changed significantly, with a growing number of residents requesting them. He had asked officers to provide an understanding of the timescales involved, how long residents were waiting, and whether additional resources were required. He confirmed that he would be supportive of additional resources if needed to meet demand on a cost neutral basis and would follow this up and update the Committee.

Cllr Dave explained that at the previous 3 meetings he had requested an update on the Oakland Avenue petition, as he was being contacted by residents in his ward and had been unable to provide them with an update.

Cllr Kitterick outlined the process he had experienced in his Ward with Resident Parking Schemes.

The Governance Officer explained that there had been updates to the monitoring sheet since publication. It was noted that Gopsall Street and residents’ parking at Dixon Drive had both now been completed.

The process for engagement with ward councillors throughout the petition process was explained to the Committee. It was noted that ward councillors were consulted from the beginning of the process and that Governance Services advised the lead director to continue to update ward councillors throughout the process.

AGREED:

1.     That the status of the outstanding petitions be noted, and to remove those petitions marked ‘Petition Complete’ Ref:   from the report.

2.     Officers to follow up on the Oakland Avenue petition and provide an update to Cllr Dave

The City Mayor will answer questions raised by members of the Overview Select Committee on issues not covered elsewhere on the agenda.

The Chair invited Members to raise questions for the City Mayor.

The Chair accepted questions to be asked to the City Mayor.

Cllr Waddington asked a question relating to capital allocations, particularly in relation to adventure playgrounds. It was noted that these projects were not quick or easy to deliver and sought an indication of when funding would be allocated and spent.

The City Mayor replied that:

·       He had written to all adventure playgrounds requesting an update on their current position and future plans.

·       Most were expected to provide a way forward by the following week.

·       A template had been developed to assess the requests received, with further detailed consideration to follow.

The City Mayor replied that:

·       He welcomed the support for the museum and recognised it as an important asset.

·       Consideration was being given to how the museum could reflect modern interpretation and responsibilities.

·       Whilst it would remain open, the adjusted hours reflected current usage levels.

Cllr Zaman added that:

·       Officers had reviewed options for additional opening during school holidays.

·       It would not be possible to extend opening for the Easter period, however additional days were being considered for half term, summer and autumn holidays.

Cllr Chauhan asked a question regarding the Local Plan and whether amendments could be made prior to consideration at Full Council, particularly in relation to housing figures.

The City Mayor replied that:

·       He would not want to revisit earlier stages of the process at this point.

·       The matter would be noted, however the process had reached a stage where changes could not be made.

Cllr Chauhan clarified that:

·       The question had been raised previously during a presentation by Cllr Osman.

·       Once approved and submitted to Full Council, amendments could not be made.

The Chair noted that this was not a decision within the remit of the City Mayor.

AGREED:

That the responses be noted, with any further responses to be provided outside of the meeting.

The Director of Finance submits a report to the Overview Select Committee which is the third in the monitoring cycle for 2025/26 and updates the forecasts presented to the committee in September 2025. The overall forecast spend of £432.7m against the current approved budget of £436.5m, a net underspend of £3.7m.  

The Director of Finance submitted a report which was the third in the monitoring cycle for 2025/26 and updated the forecasts presented to the Committee in September 2025. The overall forecast spend was £432.7m against the current approved budget of £436.5m, representing a net underspend of £3.7m. The report was taken as read.

Members were invited to ask questions and make comments.

·       It was noted that the reported underspend of £3.7m was largely attributable to vacancies, with concerns raised that this masked underlying pressures in other departments.

·       Concerns were raised regarding expenditure within Housing Services, particularly in relation to temporary accommodation and homelessness, and it was noted that investment had helped mitigate further projected increases.

·       It was confirmed that vacancies continued to contribute to in year savings, although recruitment challenges remained and work was ongoing to reduce vacancy levels.

·       It was noted that there had been a downturn in planning applications, and a report with further details on this would be shared with Members.

·       Clarification was sought on the use of contingency budgets and recent budget adjustments across services.

·       Concerns were raised that savings arising from vacancies, could impact service delivery across the Council.

·       Concerns were raised regarding reductions in income from traffic enforcement and car parking, and the potential impact on city centre usage.

·       Members sought clarification on how vacancy related savings would be reinvested into services, and which targets had been reduced following approval of the revenue budget.

·       Clarification was sought on the allocation and use of the Household Support Fund, with a further report to be brought to a future meeting.

AGREED:

1.     That the report be noted.

2.     That details of annual savings be circulated to Members.

3.     That a report on planning applications be shared with Members.

4.     That further information be provided on cleansing services, parks and open spaces.

5.     That reports detailing the rise in cost for looked after children be shared with Members.

6.     For the City Mayor to look into additional funds of £0.7M to be used towards vaccination uptake. 

The Director of Finance submits a report to update the Overview Select Committee on the position of the capital programme for 2025/26 as at the end of December 2025.

The Director of Finance submitted the third Capital Monitoring report in the monitoring cycle for 2025/26, which presented the position of the Capital Programme as of the end of December 2025. The total spend was £87.4m and progress on the delivery of major projects was provided. The report was taken as read.

Members discussed the report and the following points were raised:

·       While there was no clear date expected for the start of the Leicester Railway Tender process, it was noted that several variables were being taken into consideration and discussions with stakeholders were productive and ongoing. It was emphasised that there had been no spend on the Railway project to date, and that contingency plans for alternative funding were available if later required.

·       Members discussed the Leicester Market project in detail and raised concern regarding the additional costs incurred from delays to the project. It was noted that archaeologists had since left the site and that a meeting with stall vendors was due to discuss logistics, stall design and progress moving forward, with the hope to resume partial use of the new market space by Christmas 2026. It was further noted that temporary, portable stalls would be in use while more permanent structures were being considered.

·       Members queried the lack of progress surrounding the land south of Phoenix. The City Mayor noted that the work was in the hands of competent officers and would be happy to arrange a briefing with officers for all Members to ask questions and discuss progress to date.

·       Members raised concern regarding the provisions detailed on page 79 of the report and requested further information and assurance on the progress made against areas listed for provisions. It was noted that the enquiry would be brought to the two relevant Scrutiny Commissions for further information, Culture and Neighbourhoods and Housing.

·       It was noted that the budget set aside for Multi-use Game Areas would also be used to restoring current areas in disrepair.  

AGREED:

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That further information on the provisions listed on page 79 of the report be given to the Lead Director for the relevant service areas to update the applicable Scrutiny Commissions.

The current work programme for the Committee is attached.  The Committee is asked to consider this and make comments and/or amendments as it considers necessary.

The work programme for the Committee was noted.

There being no other items of urgent business, the meeting closed at 7:26pm.