A jam-packed month. I enjoyed an evening out, accompanying the Mayor of Charnwood at his Burn’s Night evening in Loughborough, and I managed to win a bottle of whiskey in the raffle, so a good evening!
I led interviews to recruit two new independent members of the public to the Police and Crime Panel, which I chair. We found two great members to help provide scrutiny of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). I was also part of the interview team, along with the PCC and the Deputy Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police, to recruit 10 new members to the PCC’s new Ethics and Transparency Committee. This committee will help the PCC to ensure that the police force is held to account.
Leicestershire County Council’s Children’s Department has received a focused visit from Ofsted. These visits are made in-between full inspections, to look at current progress against the improvements that are needed, as highlighted at previous inspections. I was interviewed for an hour by the lead inspector and then the team spent two days in the department, speaking to staff and families and also looking at the data. We are now awaiting their written report, expected at the beginning of March.
I took part in a few training sessions and briefings this month with more to come in March. We are now beginning to do more face-to-face work in a safe way and I really enjoyed my visit this month to our two Oakfield Schools, Oakfield North (Shepshed) and Oakfield South (Earl Shilton). These schools are our short stay schools that work with children who are struggling with mainstream schools. By working therapeutically with the children, we can support most of them back into mainstream schools or specialist schools. It was a pleasure to meet the staff and the children, and it was great to meet the lovely therapy dog, Orla, who was on site in the south school on the day that I visited.
County Deal
The county has taken the next step towards securing a ground-breaking deal to bring more devolved new powers to a local level. The Government has confirmed that Leicestershire County Council will be one of the first nine areas that it will invite to agree a new ‘county deal’. The announcement is part of the Levelling Up White Paper published in February 2022 and follows a bid submitted by the council in the autumn. This will be an opportunity for the county council to have a greater say over our local services and their funding, matters which affect everyone in Leicestershire. The County Council are very grateful to the County’s MPs and District Council Leaders for their support.
The ‘county deal’, which includes financial funding and local powers, is likely to focus on providing sustainable local transport, supporting local businesses and skills training, public health and local control of major infrastructure decisions (roads, schools etc.). With these devolved powers and funding there is likely to be some changes to the governance structure at the county council, and these will form part of the discussions with the government about how the ‘county deal’ will look.
There will be plenty of negotiations to come and early meetings with civil servants and government ministers are now fully underway.
Leicestershire Waste Partnership
People are being encouraged to give their views on what happens to waste and recycling in the county. Leicestershire Waste Partnership is asking residents to help shape its blueprint for future services, known as the Leicestershire Resources and Waste Strategy 2022-2050.
A range of pledges, such as delivering refuse services and encouraging residents to prevent unnecessary waste, are set out in the strategy. Subject to Government policy and funding we are also likely to see the implementation of household food waste collections.
This consultation also seeks views on the future frequency of household waste collections.
The partnership is made up of Leicestershire County Council and all the seven districts. The consultation is open until April 25th 2022 and can be found on the county council’s ‘Have your Say page’: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/have-your-say/current-engagement/leicestershires-resources-and-waste-strategy-2022-2050
For copies in other formats, please email: [email protected]
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
A host of special events will be held both in the city and county this year to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70-year reign as monarch.
The events, announced by Mike Kapur, Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, include a garden party which he will host for people turning 70 in 2022 as well as the planting of trees and an art competition for primary school children.
There are also awards for businesses and communities for 70 organisations.
All you need to know can be found at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/platinum-jubilee with information also available on how you can arrange your own community event or street party. An extended four-day bank holiday, from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 5th June 2022 has been chosen for the celebratory weekend. Events include:
- An art competition, open to primary school children.
- A 70 at 70 garden party is the Lord-Lieutenant’s special invitation to people who are celebrating their 70th birthday this year. It will take place on Tuesday 31st May at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse near Loughborough. Nominations can be made by anyone meeting the criteria and the closing date is Friday 1st April 2022.
- An award for 70 organisations, such as school, businesses, voluntary and community groups that have done something exceptional to develop community spirit.
- Dozens of beacons will be lit on the evening of Thursday 2nd June 2022 to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Local communities, parish councils, schools, youth groups, and farming communities can get involved by setting up and lighting beacons, sponsoring beacons, or illuminating a home or building, e.g. the National Space Centre will be lit up.
Everyone in the city and county is invited to plant a tree as part of The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative. Anyone wishing to plant their own tree for the Jubilee can access trees through schemes offered by the Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/
Thinking of holding an event to celebrate? Detailed below is some information and key dates that you may find useful to get you started.
Planning on having a street party to celebrate the event?
You will need to apply to Leicestershire County Council to close your street/road to traffic by completing sections 3 and 4 of the Queen’s Jubilee event registration form, the form can be found here: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/platinum-jubilee
All fees associated with the legal application have been waived for The Queen’s Jubilee and the application time reduced to 6 weeks, please note this is only for The Queen’s Jubilee and does not apply to other events.
If you wish to apply for a road closure or any other restrictions the last date for submission is Friday 15th April 2022. The forms can be found on the link above.
Given the occasion and following Government guidance the council will not be asking for the usual required documentation for a road closure, however consideration still needs to be given to ensure the safety of all attendees. Within the registration form you will find some additional information for you to consider. Further Government advice on road closures for street parties can be found here; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/your-guide-to-organising-a-street-party
The information you supply regarding your event will be shared with the emergency services so they can put their own plans and resources in place.
Signs and Cones
Leicestershire County Council Highways is offering the loan of signs and cones. Should you require these, please complete the ‘signs form’. Signs and cones must be collected from, and returned to, the LCC Mountsorrel Highways Depot. Appropriate arrangements will need to be made for collection or a quote for delivery can be requested. The deadline for your cones and signs applications is Friday 15th April 2022. Again, the forms can be found on the link above.
