Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Bulletin, summer 2026 (edition 102)

Waste not…

Residents across the borough are being thanked for embracing the new weekly food waste collection service, launched in March and already making a big difference. 

Early figures show households are diverting nearly 15 tonnes of food waste a day from black bins. Instead, it is being used to generate renewable energy and produce nutrient-rich compost for local farmland, supporting the council’s environmental goals. 

Since the service began, which was mandated by the government, participation has grown week by week, with many residents saying separating food waste has quickly become part of their routine. 

Council leaders say the early success is down to residents’ willingness to try something new and their commitment to a cleaner, greener borough. 

Many residents have praised the service for being simple and convenient. Others say it has made them more aware of how much food they throw away and encouraged them to waste less. Weekly collections also mean cleaner kitchen bins, fewer smells and more space in the black bin. 

Councillor Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “We are collecting around 75 tonnes of food waste every week, which is about one sixth of all black bin waste. In simple terms, 75 tonnes is around 180,000 meals or 600 full black bins now being recycled instead of thrown away. 

“That means we are already capturing around half of the food waste produced in the borough, which is a fantastic achievement so soon after launch.” 

The importance of the service is underlined by recent waste analysis. In October 2025, food waste made up 31 per cent of black bin contents in Hinckley and Bosworth. Of that, 66 per cent was avoidable — food that could have been eaten rather than thrown away. 

Council Chief Executive Bill Cullen said: “This is a brilliant example of what we can achieve when we work together. Our residents deserve real credit for embracing the change so positively, and the benefits are already being felt across the borough. My thanks to all the teams involved in rolling out this new service, which has involved a lot of hard work and planning.” 

With continued participation, the service could divert around 3,755 tonnes of food waste a year from landfill, typically saving around 5,600 to 7,500 tonnes of CO2 — about the weight of 10 fully loaded Boeing 747-400 aircraft. It is also improving recycling rates and reducing the amount of waste sent for disposal. Every bit of food waste counts. 
To report a missed bin, order an additional bin or get tips on making the most of your weekly food waste collection, visit our food waste page

Extra planning checks on shared homes

Councillors have approved extra planning checks on new shared houses in and around Hinckley town centre, while launching a new consultation on extending similar controls to parts of Barwell and Earl Shilton.

An Article 4 Direction for a defined area of Hinckley has now been agreed following strong public support in a recent consultation. 

This means that from 1 May 2026, planning permission will be required to change a family home into a small, shared house, known as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), within the area. Existing lawful HMOs are not affected.

An Article 4 Direction removes the automatic right under national planning rules to convert a property into a small HMO. Instead, proposals must be considered on their individual merits through the planning process.

The Hinckley decision follows a public consultation that received 656 responses from residents, landlords, businesses and other stakeholders. 

Around two thirds of those who answered supported the proposal, citing concerns about the concentration of shared housing and associated issues such as parking pressure, waste, noise and pressure on local services.

Those who opposed raised concerns about the supply of lower cost housing and whether well-managed shared homes should face additional restrictions.
National planning guidance requires Article 4 Directions to be evidence-led and targeted, which is why the Hinckley Direction applies only to a defined area rather than borough-wide.

At the same time as approving the Hinckley Direction, the Borough Council committed to monitoring potential for future HMOs across the borough. Following this, a new public consultation has now been launched on introducing an Article 4 Direction in parts of Barwell and Earl Shilton.

If introduced, the proposed Direction would require planning permission for new HMOs within a defined area of those communities. It would not be retrospective, and does not ban HMOs or prevent development, but would allow the council to assess each application carefully against local planning policies. Licensing arrangements for HMOs would remain unchanged.

The consultation is open until 2pm on 6 July 2026, and residents, landlords and businesses are encouraged to have their say.

Council Leader Stuart Bray said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their views on the Hinckley consultation. It’s clear that people want us to take a more active role in managing where HMOs are located.

“We have listened and acted in Hinckley, and we are now taking the same proactive, evidence-led approach in Barwell and Earl Shilton.

“Article 4 Directions are about having a say and assessing proposals properly, not stopping development. 

“They help us ensure that new HMOs are appropriately located, well managed and that local communities are properly considered.

“It is also important to remember that HMOs are not solely used for asylum accommodation. They are a vital part of our housing mix, providing affordable and practical homes for many residents.”

He added that while concerns about asylum accommodation had been raised during consultation, the Borough Council does not operate the national asylum dispersal programme, which is managed by the Home Office and its contractors.

The council has also agreed that any future decisions on Article 4 Directions elsewhere in the borough can be taken more quickly by the Leader of the Council and the Director of Place, in consultation with local ward councillors.

People can take part in the Barwell and Earl Shilton consultation by completing the online survey, emailing us: Planning contact form, or viewing the documents at the Hinckley Hub, Earl Shilton Library or the George Ward Centre in Barwell during normal opening hours.

New plaque unveiling at war memorial 

Crowds gathered to pay their respects as a new memorial plaque was unveiled recently at the war memorial in Argents Mead, Hinckley.

The plaque was installed in memory of the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (PFAB), the American unit that called Hinckley their home from April to September 1944. Representatives from veterans’ associations, members of the church and other local groups attended, while former Deputy Mayor Cllr Cathie Gibbens led a group that represented the Borough Council at the ceremony.

Cllr Gibbens was part of an official party that included the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Michael Kapur; High Sheriff of Leicestershire, Meldin Thomas; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Mahoney of the US Army and Lieutenant Colonel Matthew England of the British Army.

Several other borough councillors attended, including Deputy Leader Mark Bools and Heritage Champion Paul Williams. The councillors were joined by Honorary Alderman David Bill and Chief Executive Bill Cullen.

The memorial is part of a national project spearheaded by Mission 82 who have set out to build three memorials in England to coincide with the 82nd anniversary of the 82nd Airborne Division being stationed in England during WWII. 

Ten men remembered by these memorials were all killed in accidents or died during their time stationed in England.

The unveiling coincided with the anniversary of PFC John E. Davey’s death on 7 May 1944 during a practice parachute jump in Leicestershire. It also honours his colleagues, T/4 Alfred A. Ranio and Pvt Richard E. Duncan, as well as the entire 376th PFAB.

After the unveiling, a special edition of Music in the Mead paid tribute to the battalion, with live performances from Julie Sings and Rob Wilson.

Deputy Leader Cllr Mark Bools said: “It was wonderful to see everyone at the war memorial for the plaque unveiling. “We will always remember the American servicemen who made Hinckley proud during their time here in the Second World War.”

Cllr Paul Williams, Heritage Champion at the Borough Council, said: “Thank you to everyone who came along. In Hinckley and Bosworth, we always take pride in honouring our local history and the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion are an important part of that.”

Darren Bond, of organisers Mission82, said: “It was a beautiful day as we remembered the 376th PFAB. The ceremony was well attended, and it felt like a real community-spirited day. My special thanks to the Borough Council, G. Seller and St Mary's Church.”

Work begins to secure pub future

Restoration work to bring The Cock Inn pub in Sibson back into good repair is now under way, marking a welcome step forward for the historic building. 

The work follows the Borough Council’s decision to grant listed building consent for repair works and follows pressure from the Borough Council and residents to see the building brought back into use. 

Soda, on behalf of Star Pubs, began internal prep work on Monday 18 May. A new listed building application is expected to be submitted shortly for further works to ensure the building’s long-term preservation. 

The news follows a strong show of local support, with more than 2,500 residents signing a petition presented to Full Council in April calling for the historically significant pub to be renovated and reopened. 

Cllr Bill Crooks, Executive Member for Planning, said: “It is very encouraging to see work now under way at The Cock Inn. This is an important building for Sibson and the wider area, and these repairs are a significant step towards securing its future. We know how much this pub means to the local community, and the council has been committed to working with Star Pubs and doing all it can to support its preservation and help bring it back into use.”

Local Plan progressing

The Borough Council is continuing to make good progress on its new Local Plan. 

The Local Plan will guide how the borough grows and changes over the coming years, including where homes, jobs and community facilities should be located.

Council officers are currently finishing the next draft of the Local Plan, known as the pre submission version. This is an important milestone and follows detailed evidence gathering and earlier consultation with residents, businesses and other organisations.

This summer, council officers will be asking councillors to approve moving the Local Plan to its next stage, known as the Regulation 19 consultation.

If approved, the consultation will begin shortly afterwards and will run for a minimum of six weeks. This is a formal consultation required by national planning regulations. At this stage, comments should focus specifically on whether the Local Plan is:

• Sound – meaning it has been positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy
• Legally compliant – meaning it has been produced in line with the legal and procedural requirements

This stage is not an opportunity to comment on the detail of the plan, such as which sites are allocated for development or the overall approach of individual policies.

Further comments on these matters can be made later, during the independent examination of the Local Plan by a government appointed planning inspector.

All comments received during the Regulation 19 consultation will be submitted alongside the Local Plan to the Secretary of State later this year, in line with the government’s timetable. 

The Borough Council remains committed to delivering a clear and deliverable Local Plan that supports sustainable growth, protects the borough’s environmental and heritage assets, and provides certainty for residents, businesses and service providers.

More information about the consultation, including how and when to make comments, will be published on the consultation web page, following Council approval: Regulation 19 (Pre-submission) Local Plan Consultation 2026

Consultation material will also be published on the consultation web page, and printed copies of the Local Plan will be available at the Hinckley Hub and libraries across the borough throughout the consultation period.

Residents and local organisations are encouraged to stay involved as the Local Plan reaches this important stage. To support this, council officers will be holding events across the borough during the consultation, where people can drop in to ask questions and discuss the proposals. 

Full details will be available on the consultation webpage following Council approval.

Fly-tipping – no more rubbish excuses

Fly-tipping isn’t just an eyesore. It’s a crime that damages the environment, puts public health at risk and takes valuable funding away from services residents rely on every day. 

While most people dispose of their waste responsibly, a small number of individuals — and sometimes rogue waste collectors — continue to dump rubbish illegally. 

To tackle the problem, councils across Leicestershire are supporting the No Rubbish Excuses campaign, which highlights the real impact of fly-tipping and reminds everyone how easily it can be prevented. 

There is also a significant cost to the community. Clearing fly-tipping costs councils millions of pounds nationally every year, using money that could otherwise support parks, community events, or help keep waste and recycling services affordable. 

Once rubbish appears in an area, it often encourages further dumping, leaving neighbourhoods looking neglected and making residents feel less safe and less proud of where they live. 

Residents are reminded to always check that anyone they pay to remove waste has a valid waste carrier licence, which can be verified using the government’s public register. 

Even if you didn’t dump the waste yourself, you could still face enforcement action if your rubbish is found fly-tipped. 

There are plenty of safe, legal, and low-cost alternatives available. The council offers bulky waste collections, big bin collections, garden waste bins, and specialist collections for certain types of rubbish. 

Items in good condition can also often be reused by donating or selling them through charities, community groups, or online platforms. 

Fly-tipping can be reported quickly and easily through the council website, and prompt reporting helps ensure waste is removed and investigated before others are tempted to add to it, visit our fly-tipping web page 

Councillor Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Clean Neighbourhoods said: “Fly-tipping isn’t inevitable — it’s preventable. But we all have a role to play. During the No Rubbish Excuses campaign, we are making it clear that fly-tipping is a crime and showing how most incidents could have been avoided through lawful disposal. 
“There were 843 fly-tipping incidents in our borough in 2025, and we have increased fines to £1,000 to demonstrate how seriously we are treating this issue. 

“We will be strengthening enforcement and treating fly-tipping as the crime it is. With low-cost, legal waste collections available from the council, there really is no excuse for using a rogue trader.” 

“By working together — disposing of waste responsibly, checking collectors are licensed and reporting fly-tipping when it happens — residents can help keep Hinckley and Bosworth clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.”

New Mayor takes office

One of the highlights of the civic year took place at Annual Council (12 May) when the new Mayor of the Borough was installed for the next 12 months. 

Councillor Cathie Gibbens, who represents Hinckley Clarendon, was handed the chain of office from former Mayor, Councillor Richard Flemming before a council chamber that was packed with specially invited guests.  

Councillor Gibbens was first elected to the Borough Council in 2023 and her consort for the year will be her husband Scott, himself a Borough Councillor and former Mayor.

The new Mayor will be raising funds for Project 2030 Concordia Theatre and the Hinckley District Poppy Appeal.

In her spare time, Councillor Gibbens enjoys quizzes, watching films, knitting and grilling outdoors.

The new Deputy Mayor is Councillor Pete Stead-Davis who represents Burbage St Catherines and Lash Hill. His consort is Councillor Charlotte Green. 

The mayor’s first major challenge is tackling the world’s fastest zip line at Penrhyn Quarry in July to raise money for her two charities on her birthday, despite not liking heights. 

To donate or sponsor her, visit Cathie’s go fund me page (gofund.me.com)

By George, it was a fun-filled day

Hinckley came together to celebrate St George’s Day with a vibrant programme of traditional entertainment and activities in Argents Mead.

Organised by the Borough Council, the popular event offered a wide range of free attractions for residents of all ages. Families enjoyed lively morris dancing, storytelling from Tom the Tale Teller, community stalls, children’s crafts, led by the United Reform Church, and hands-on activities, creating a welcoming atmosphere in the heart of the town.

Continuing a long-standing tradition, the Hinckley District Scouting Association paraded through the town, proudly carrying flags and representing scouting groups from across the borough.

Cllr Mark Bools, Deputy Leader of the Borough Council, said: “It was another great turnout this year to celebrate St George’s Day in Argents Mead, our 21st year of running such an event. 

“There was plenty of fun had in the sunshine by those of all ages, with the town’s shops and bustling market stalls benefitting too. I look forward to our other great events throughout the year, details of which you can find on the Borough Council website.” Visit events

Waiting game on future of councils

Residents across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are now waiting for a government decision on how local councils will be re-organised, following the close of a major public consultation. 

 The consultation – which invited views on proposals to reshape the current system of 10 county, borough and district councils into a smaller number of unitary authorities – has now ended. 

A final decision from the government is expected in early summer, when the next steps will be announced. 

During the consultation, people were asked to comment on three different proposals for the future structure of local government: 

• Two-councils model (city expansion): An enlarged Leicester City Council alongside a single council covering the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland 
• Two-councils model (existing city boundary): One council for Leicester and a second covering Leicestershire and Rutland 
• Three-councils model – 'North, City, South': Separate councils for north Leicestershire and Rutland, south Leicestershire, and Leicester city 

The proposals were put forward by different councils across the area, each setting out how services such as waste collection, social care and planning could be delivered under new unitary arrangements. 

Whilst the Borough Council does not think the current system is broken, it has supported the 'North, City, South' proposal which would create three strong and financially sustainable authorities while maintaining close links to local communities. 

Supporters of this option say it could:

• Keep councils closely connected to residents 
• Retain Leicester’s existing city boundary 
• Focus more on prevention-based services 
• Save more than £44 million annually 
• Support economic growth and future devolution 
• Preserve Rutland’s historic identity 

With the consultation now closed, the government is reviewing feedback from residents, businesses, and organisations across the area.

A final decision is expected in early summer 2026, when councils will share further details on what the chosen option means locally and how changes may be implemented. 

If approved, the new council structures are expected to come into effect from April 2028 replacing the existing system. 

More information about the proposals remains available online, and updates will be shared as soon as the next stage is confirmed

Last updated: 08/07/2026 09:18