News and consultations | Leicestershire County Council Professional Services Portal

All paper copies can be emailed to cassandra.haywood@leics.gov.uk or posted for Cassandra Haywood’s attention via Room 700 County Hall, Glenfield, Leicestershire, LE3 8RJ.

The survey is designed to accept one response from each Parish Council so its important to ensure the responses represent the overall views of the Parish Council.

The survey closes on 31 October however, if your parish meeting falls outside of this time please contact cassandra.haywood@leics.gov.uk who will do her best to accommodate a later return date.

Changes to Waste Sites from October

Changes to the opening days of some recycling and household waste sites (RHWS) in Leicestershire will come into effect from the first week of October 2024.

The changes, which were agreed at the Leicestershire County Council’s Cabinet in May following two public consultations – in which feedback from residents played an important part in modifying the original plans - will save £300,000 per year.

From the week beginning 30 September, the following changes to waste site arrangements will take place:

Somerby RHWS will close permanently
Market Harborough RHWS will open three days a week
Shepshed RHWS will open two days a week
Kibworth RHWS will open four days a week

The sites at Coalville, Lount and Melton Mowbray will be open for the same number of days per week, but their opening days will change. Visitors to all sites are being urged to check the Council’s RHWS website for the updated opening days and times before setting out for a waste site.

Find a recycling and household waste site.

The changes to the operation of the recycling and household waste sites have been made in response to the ongoing financial pressures faced by Leicestershire County Council, including a budget gap of £85m by 2028 due to spiralling costs and a growing demand on services.

The £300,000 annual savings will help to reduce the budget gap. Feedback from residents was gathered during two public consultations on the original plans, and played a big part in revising and modifying them.

The Council recognises that the closure of the Somerby site will have an impact on residents, but the nearby Melton Mowbray site will be open five days a week.

All waste sites will remain on the standard summer opening hours until 30 September (9am to 7pm). All sites will move to standard winter opening hours on 1 October until 31 March (9am to 4pm on days they are open). We encourage residents to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to closing, with the last admittance no later than 6.55/3:55pm respectively).

Snow Warden training

We have one date remaining with spaces for Snow Warden training at the Croft Depot.

Monday 14 October – 1pm - 3pm

If you would like to attend on this dates, please contact etdspecialprojects@leics.gov.uk.

Local Transport Plan 4

The councils current Local Transport Plan, LTP3, is coming to an end in 2026, and no longer accords with national planning, transport, and environmental policies. It also has a limited focus on health and well-being and the potential benefits that active travel provides Leicestershire for local communities. We have taken the decision to update it with a new Local Transport Plan which will know as LTP4.

For more information visit Local Transport Plan.

The Environment and Transport Department is also working to develop supporting strategies, including Leicestershire Highway Design Guide, Electric Vehicle Strategy and Cycling and Walking Strategy which allow more opportunities for you to feed in your thoughts and views.

Consultation

A public consultation on the draft Local Transport Plan 4 started on 12 August and is due close on Monday 23 September. You can feed in your thoughts by completing a survey questionnaire at Draft Local Transport Plan (LTP4)

To request a hard copy of this survey or for more information please direct your messages to: LeicestershireLocalTransportPlan@leics.gov.uk

Remembrance 2024

This year Leicestershire County Council will be processing all road closures and restrictions for Remembrance Day. Please get in touch with eventnetworkmanagement@leics.gov.uk with your plans for this year’s event.

Deadline for applications is Friday 13 September 2024.

Other news

Network North

In October 2023, the Government announced the cancellation of the HS2 north of Birmingham and that funds had been reallocated to the Midlands and the North under the umbrella of the Network North plan.

This funding is in addition to existing resources to ensure the benefits are realised in the North and Midlands region. This funding will be split and cover the following areas:

Local Transport Fund (£238m for 7 years from 2025/26)

In February 2024, the government published the Local Transport fund allocations 2025 to 2032. This funding has been allocated by formula, based on the population and levelling up need of each local transport authority area. The focus of this funding is to:

Drive better connectivity within local towns, suburbs and cities
Drive better connectivity between local towns and cities
Improve everyday local journeys for people

Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP+) and Network North Public Transport Funding (£7.63m 2023/24 to 2024/25

This funding is to improve passenger transport by delivery the best overall outcomes in growing long-tern patronage, revenues, and therefore maintaining bus service levels and providing essential social and economic connectivity for local communities

Road Resurfacing Fund (minimum uplift of £131m over 11 years)

This funding is for local highways maintenance, particularly the resurfacing of carriageways, cycleways and footways to prevent potholes and other road defects from occurring. £2.258 million was received in each of 2023/24 and 24/25 and we are awaiting announcement on the remaining funding.

Urban wildlife verges

If you wish to develop your own wildlife verge. Expressions of interest to be received by 31 October 2024.

Electric Vehicles Webpage

Please see the County Council’s Electric Vehicle (EV) webpage.

The page provides an update on the progress of the Council’s work on EV charge points, following the public engagement exercise the authority carried out at the end of last year. 

Leicestershire Collaborate to Accelerate (LCAN)

Successful funding bid of £2.6m to accelerate decarbonisation in Leicestershire - Community Energy South, Green Fox Community Energy and Leicestershire County Council are working in partnership to deliver a climate action programme called Community Energy Pathways.

The programme aims to build up community energy capacity across Leicestershire, supporting a network of new community energy organisations to establish locally driven low carbon projects and take action on climate change. The programme offers communities a real opportunity to take part in Leicestershire's future energy system. The Green Fox website provides further information and advice on how to join up.