Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Bulletin, spring 2025 (edition 97)

All change for local councils

The government has told Leicestershire and Rutland councils that local government reorganisation must go ahead in the region.

After publishing their plans for this in December 2024, the government has made it clear that it is not an option for council structures to stay as they are in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Currently, there are two tiers of local government in Leicestershire. This borough is governed by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council who are responsible for things like emptying bins, collecting council tax, housing and planning.

Then there is Leicestershire County Council, who are responsible for services like adult social care, education, roads and flooding.

Under their new plans, the government wants every area of the country to be covered by one council responsible for everything. That does not mean that existing councils will merge, or that the borough or county council will take full control of everything. Instead, existing councils as we know will be replaced with new single-tier councils.

Leicestershire County Council has opted to push forward with a plan for one single council to cover the whole county without involving the seven borough and district councils (Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council, Oadby & Wigston Borough Council) and Rutland County Council. The seven borough and district councils and Rutland Couty Council consider a single unitary authority would be too remote from our local communities and businesses and a huge financial risk for local taxpayers.

The County Council had asked the government to postpone county elections in May so they could fast-track this process, but their request was denied by the government in February.

Now Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, is working with the other six district and borough councils, plus Rutland County Council, to develop an alternative proposal. Together, they believe there is a clear case for smaller unitary councils to serve the region.

They propose three smaller unitary councils: one to serve north Leicestershire and Rutland, one for south Leicestershire and the third for the city of Leicester (based on its existing boundaries). 

The new unitary councils would build on district footprints and their local communities and would help to ensure decisions are still being made by local representatives.

The government requires Leicestershire to submit interim plans for local government reorganisation by 21 March 2025 and full proposals by 28 November 2025.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader Councillor Bray said: "I think this government reorganisation is going to lead to a local government structure that is less democratic, where people will pay more and will get less. I'm very clear about that.

“But if we have no choice then smaller unitary councils will be better than one large and remote council for the whole of the county.”

During a recent Council meeting, councillors representing wards across the borough raised their concerns about residents being represented by people from outside the area, the lack of public consultation and the lack of detail about how any savings could be made without cutting services that councils choose to provide – called discretionary services.

Councillors also pointed out that, in spite of what residents are being promised, local government reorganisation elsewhere in the country has consistently resulted in council tax increases and a huge bill for taxpayers.

Councillor Bray added “Residents trust us to empty their bins on time, provide support when most in need and welcome the jobs we have created in the area. Regeneration, CCTV, community safety, cost of living support, community grants, events - all these other discretionary services we provide here so brilliantly would be threatened. 

“Leicestershire County Council is forecasted to have a £100m budget shortfall due to the massive costs of providing social services, roads and schools. 

“On top of that, the costs of restructuring services on such a massive scale will be sky high, which will inevitably lead to drastic cuts to services and if there’s one single authority for the whole county, that’s a massive financial risk for local taxpayers who will be picking up the bill for this.”

Bill Cullen, Chief Executive of the Borough Council, added: “The council is determined to involve local people in shaping the new authority and have committed to consult with our residents, businesses and partner organisations.

“Alongside the other Leicestershire district and borough councils and Rutland County Council, we are now seeking initial views and comments to shape our initial plans which will be presented to the government in March.

 “Your feedback to support our vision is important to us. Please visit devolution to share your thoughts.

“There will be other opportunities for you to express your opinions, but we encourage you to provide your input now. In the meantime, it is business as usual for the Borough Council.

“We are still on hand to provide the services we offer and continue to serve our communities and our people.”

'Indie' market is coming to Hinckley

A new community ‘Indie’ market is coming to Hinckley town centre from the end of March.

There will be more than 30 independent stalls in Market Place and The Borough, with plenty of unique and quirky products for sale.

They will include handmade, personalised, home-baked and 'not on the high street' goods, meaning there will be something for everyone.

Stalls will be operating on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm. The first in Hinckley will be on Sunday 30 March.

The market, run by local non-profit group All Communities Matter, will also have a community space offering different activities and freebies for visitors each month.

Emma Clue, chairperson of All Communities Matter, said: "All Communities Matter set up Indie Markets with the aim of bringing communities together. This means we encourage people to visit to spend time chatting to our stallholders.

"We also have our little trader community where we all help and support each other and enjoy each other's company during the events.

"This is a fantastic way to gain confidence because as a small 'indie' business, it can be a lonely and difficult path to manage. With the support of All Communities Matter, we can help these small businesses make the big step to selling in person.

"It's these new small businesses that make where we live truly unique."

Leader of the Borough Council, Cllr Stuart Bray said: "We are delighted to be able to welcome Indie Markets to Hinckley town centre.

"This is another great opportunity for residents to support small local businesses and boost the local economy by spending their money in Hinckley and Bosworth.

"I urge all of you to pop along and pick up some goods, knowing that plenty of hard work has gone into making and selling them by and for local people. It will no doubt help support our local high street as well, and as a reminder its free parking on Sundays in council run car parks.”

School uniform swap shops to open again

School uniform swap shops are set to open again during April 2025. The uniform swap shops will appear in local Co-ops and community venues across Hinckley and Bosworth this Easter to help families that may need to top up on uniform.

The Borough Council is encouraging families to donate good quality school uniforms that are no longer required, as part of a scheme to support residents in saving money on school uniform costs. 

Research by The Children’s Society found in 2020 secondary school uniforms were costing parents £337 a year and primary school uniforms were setting parents back £315 a year. 

The scheme is designed to help those feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Families who have good condition, clean, useable plain coloured clothing or have a school uniform with a logo that they no longer need can drop them into their nearest School Uniform Swap Shop venue. 

This includes school coats, jumpers/blazers, trousers, polo shirts / shirts, dresses, skirts, PE kits (not personalised) including bags and shoes, school shoes and book bags.
Clothing will be displayed in the local venues and there will be collection boxes for items donated.

Families can then access free-of-charge school uniform for their children from their local venue. You don’t have to donate to take uniform.

Councillor Michael Mullaney, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety said: “We all recognise how quickly children grow and how many local schools insist on the pupils wearing logoed clothing, further adding to the increasing cost for our households so we hope this scheme will help local families.

“By swapping uniforms, we are also supporting the environment, cutting down on clothes going to landfill.

“Following the success of the summer Uniform Swap Shop we wanted to be able to help families that may need a little bit more uniform to see them through to the end of the school year. 

“We really want to encourage families to take whatever uniform they need.”

School uniform swap shops, which are open to everyone, will be opening in Bagworth, Newbold Verdon, Markfield, Hinckley, Market Bosworth, and Barwell to name a few locations. 

For an up-to-date list of locations visit uniform swap shop

Leisure Centre goes solar

More than 700 solar panels have been installed on the roof of Hinckley Leisure Centre this month.

The new solar panels are expected to reduce over 52,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide in the first year.

The project cost £250,000 and is partially funded by a £120,000 grant awarded to Hinckley Leisure Centre from Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund. The Borough Council has funded the difference.

The Borough Council, which has led the project with Leisure Centre operators Places Leisure, was granted planning consent last September.  

Simon Churchman, Area Manager for Places Leisure, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council with the installation of solar photo-voltaic panels at Hinckley Leisure Centre. This project will have a significant impact on reducing utility consumption as well as carbon reduction.

“Places Leisure is committed to supporting and collaborating with our partners to decarbonise the centres we manage.”

Executive Member for Climate Change, Councillor Martin Cartwright, said: “This project is a great example of how the Borough Council is being proactive in its quest to look after the environment.

“It feeds into the council’s desire to decarbonise the facility and supports the Climate and Biodiversity Strategy.

“Hinckley Leisure Centre was the first in the country to be fully LED lit, so this new package will further enhance its environmental credentials.”

Two fined for tipping waste

Two people have recently been fined by Leicester Magistrates’ Court for fly-tipping in the borough.

Taniescha Norton of Marshall Street, Leicester has been ordered to pay a total of £352 after pleading guilty to an offence of fly-tipping that occurred at Burroughs Road, Ratby in November 2023. 

The court heard that a clean neighbourhood officer attended the location and found a variety of waste which included four black bags, nappies, broken drawer units and general household waste. Evidence was found within the fly tip which led our officers to investigate Norton.

In court, Norton stated that she had received a ‘cold call’ from someone with a van asking to collect waste, she paid £40, and the waste was taken away. 

Norton did not ask for a waste carriers licence, or checked to see if the business was registered or to get a receipt from the business who was taking the waste away. This waste was subsequently fly-tipped on Burroughs Road Ratby and the person(s) responsible for the deposit of the waste have not been identified.

Norton was fined £180, with a victim surcharge of £72 and ordered to pay £100 contribution towards our costs, making a total of £352.

Meanwhile, a Hinckley man has been ordered to pay a total of £924 by Leicester Magistrates Court after failing to clear waste that posed potential health risks. 

Matthew Farrell of Trinity Lane, Hinckley, whose private land contained dumped waste which had spilled onto a public pavement and was not cleared was convicted in his absence. 

The Borough Council had tried contacting Mr. Farrell since the end of May 2024, but he had not responded to any communication. Council officers had cleared the pavement on one occasion, but the waste had continued to over spill onto it again. 

Mr. Farrell was served a Community Protection Notice (CPN) by the Borough Council. Earlier this month at Leicester Magistrates Court, he was found guilty of breaching the CPN in September 2024. 

The magistrates took a dim view of the offence. They were particularly concerned about the waste spilling out over the pavement, concluding that it caused potential health risks to the public. 

Mr. Farrell, who did not attend the court hearing, was fined £660 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £262. A collection order was also made.

Speaking after the case, Councillor Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Parks, Open Spaces and Neighbourhood Services, said: “It is a shame to see that fly-tipping continues to be a problem, but successful prosecutions like these will hopefully make people think twice before illegally dumping or failing to clear their waste in future.

“This is reminder that you must get a receipt and waste transfer note, ask for a waste carriers licence and get a copy of it and ensure that you know where your waste is going, use reputable carriers or contact the council as we offer a range of different collection services for all types of waste. You have a responsibility for your waste, and you can be fined if you do not dispose of it correctly.”

If you are unsure if a waste carrier is legally operating contact the council’s Streetscene team on 01455 238141 or complete the Streetscene contact form. Alternatively, you can contact the Environment Agency with the same request. 

Find details on how to report fly-tipping

Last updated: 19/03/2025 16:00