Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2025.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

                        RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September be                    approved as a correct record.

The Leader expressed his thanks for comments received from the Overview & Scrutiny committee on the Local Government Reorganisation proposal report.

To provide an update on the packaging extended producer responsibility funding (pEPR) from Defra.

Members were presented with the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility funding (pEPR) report from Defra 2025 that was part of the new waste regulatory framework. The report confirmed that all producers of packaging waste would be required to pay into a fund which was then distributed to local authorities to cover the cost of collecting and disposing of this packaging.

Members thanked officers for the report and their work to date in respect of preparations for the forthcoming Food Waste Service.

It was moved by Councillor Hodgkins, seconded by Councillor Crooks and

                        RESOLVED –

(i)            That Executive note the funding for 2025 and the potential reduction in funding in future should HBBC be deemed to fail to meet the efficient and effective criteria.

(ii)          That Executive note the current assessment of low-medium risk of future reductions in funding reported in 3.11 and 3.12 of the report.

(iii)         That Executive endorsed the recommendations in 3.12 of the report:-

i)             HBBC appeared to currently have low – medium risk of reduced pEPR payments based on efficient and effective assessment.

ii)            Consideration be given to reducing the size of replacement bins and a sticker on residual bins. Funding for this sticker would be provided within the Government’s transitional food waste allocation to HBBC. Both of these changes would be discussed with the Leader/Executive briefing and built into the waste collection policy which is currently being updated.

iii)           In 2026 further consideration should be given to a separate paper and card collection. This should include dialogue with both Leicestershire County Council and the wider Leicestershire Waste Partnership. Due consideration should also be given to LGR impacts.

iv)           This review would be repeated annually or as clarity emerged from the scheme administrator.

To seek approval of the local government reorganisation proposal for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Executive were presented with this report that outlined the work undertaken by the District and Borough Councils in Leicestershire and Rutland County Council to produce the draft final Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) proposal for (North,City,South) for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR). The report also detailed the public consultation that had been carried out and overall support for the proposal.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Bools and

                        RESOLVED –

(i)            That Executive give consideration to the comments made by the Scrutiny Commission and any recommendations of Council.

(ii)          That Executive approve the final draft Local Government Reorganisation Proposal for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, along with any comments they wish to make which will be considered prior to final submission to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (MHCLG) by the 28 November 2025.

(iii)         That Executive endorse the overwhelming view of the Council meeting held on 18.11.25 where members cross-party expressed strong views in opposition to the scrapping of Borough and District Councils.

(iv)         That Executive instruct the Leader and Chief Executive to continue to express opposition to the principle to the Local Government reorganisation.

(v)          That Executive note the strong record of delivery of HBBC and expressed thanks to all Members and officers over the years that have contributed to serving the people of the Borough.

(vi)         That Executive put on record its gratitude to all officers for the work done on the North/City South proposals for LGR and approved it’s submission as the Council’s preferred Bid should the Government not u-turn on its proposals.

(vii)        That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader for any final changes prior to submission.