Engagement 2025
Oakfield School change of age-range
Date: 18 March to 30 April 2025
We asked
We are consulting to expand the age-range of Oakfield Short Stay School from primary only to include pupils of (secondary school age) 11 - 16. This is to enable some pupils who are not able to access mainstream school to be enrolled and access suitable provision. Secondary age pupils will not attend the existing primary school sites or mix with primary age children.
What happens next
Your views will be considered as part of the decision making process.
Pharmaceutical needs assessment
Date: 3 February to 30 April 2025
We asked
People across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for their views on pharmacy services and usage in their local community to feed into new pharmaceutical needs assessments.
What happens next
The Health and Wellbeing Boards across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland will publish the results of the initial survey, and these will be used to help prepare the draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments which will be consulted on later in the year.
Draft Adults and Communities Strategy 2025 - 2029
Date: 18 February to 14 April 2025
We asked
People across Leicestershire for their views on the refreshed Adults and Communities strategy for 2025-2029.
What happens next
The results of the consultation will be used to help us ensure that our services support the best outcomes for people in Leicestershire and the final version of the strategy will be published later in the year.
Draft Leicestershire SEND and Inclusion Strategy
Date: 12 February to 8 April 2025
We asked
We know that children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) achieve better outcomes when organisations work together to support their needs. The draft SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2024 - 2027 describes how organisations representing Education, Health and Social Care will work together across Leicestershire to improve services and support for children and young people with SEND. It sets out our shared vision, principles and priorities for the next 3 years.
We asked for your views on our draft SEND principles, how well you think the draft SEND and inclusion strategy accurately reflects what works well and the barriers and challenges for children and young people with SEND in Leicestershire, and our priorities for improving partnership services.
What happens next
The comments and feedback that you have submitted will be used to inform the final version of the strategy, and the corresponding action plan which will detail how the priorities will be achieved. The final strategy will be presented to partnership governance bodies, including the council’s Cabinet in June 2025.
One Council for Leicestershire proposal
Date: 20 February to 18 March 2025
We asked
The Government has made it clear it wants to move away from ‘two tier’ local government, so plans are being drawn up to create one council for Leicestershire (excluding Rutland and Leicester City), forging stronger links with communities, reducing duplication and simplifying local government.
What happens next
Your views on our proposal will be considered to help us ensure that our services support the best outcomes for people in Leicestershire.
Find out more about the One council for Leicestershire proposal.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Date: 19 February to 16 March 2025
We asked
Leicestershire County Council is responsible for over 1915 miles (3084km) of public rights of way, including paths in both the countryside and urban areas. They are important for leisure, travelling to work or school and health and wellbeing. They’re part of what makes Leicestershire a special place to live, work and thrive.
Although Leicestershire’s rights of way network has developed over hundreds of years, we recognise that it must meet the current and future needs of the public. Every council that is responsible for public rights of way must have a Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP). This spring, we will be reviewing our ROWIP, producing a draft document which sets out a long-term vision to develop and manage the public right of way network in Leicestershire.
A right of way is a public highway that anyone, by law, has the right to use. There are 4 types:
- Footpaths for walking, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
- Bridleways for walking, horse riding, cycling, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs
- Restricted byways for walking, horse riding, cycling, mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs and horse-drawn carriages
- Byways for all modes including motorised vehicles
What happens next
Your feedback will help to develop the priorities and actions of the draft Rights of Way Improvement Plan, which will be produced in spring/summer 2025 and will be published for formal consultation.
Draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland
Date: 6 January to 28 February 2025
We asked
The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland lays out practical actions to boost the area’s wildlife and natural spaces. It takes a big-picture look at how we can tackle habitat loss, shrinking species populations, and the effects of climate change.
Developed with input from local councils, environmental groups, farmers, landowners, and the community, the draft strategy focuses on what needs urgent action to build a healthier, more connected natural environment. It’s all about creating space for nature to flourish while supporting local people and their livelihoods.
The draft strategy highlights important habitats like woodlands, wetlands, and urban green spaces, along with key species that need our help. It also promotes using nature-based solutions to tackle climate challenges, improve ecosystems, and boost overall environmental health.
Community involvement is a big part of this, with chances to get involved through citizen science and partnerships aimed at protecting and restoring nature. The draft strategy offers a vision for the future, ensuring the region’s natural beauty can be enjoyed by generations to come.
It’s a call to action for everyone. By working together, we can protect the amazing landscapes and wildlife of Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland and create a more sustainable future for everyone.
You said
The community expressed resounding support for the LNRS. An impressive 97% of respondents agreed with the strategy’s aims, emphasising that our vision for nature recovery has strong public approval.
Key Consultation Findings
- High level of support: Nearly all respondents supported the LNRS’s aims, with 97% agreement, showing clear public backing.
- Incorporated suggestions: Many comments included valuable ideas. We updated the strategy document and the local habitat map where possible to reflect these suggestions.
- Future delivery input: A large number of comments focused on how the LNRS will be delivered in practice. While not included in the current strategy, these insights will inform the forthcoming delivery plan.
- Need for guidance: Some people asked how local authorities and land managers will use the strategy. We will address these questions with sector-specific toolkits being developed to support implementation.
We did
We noted this overwhelming endorsement. We made an addition to a strategic aim to include the need for education. Otherwise, the strategy’s aims remain unchanged and reaffirmed. Your support gives us confidence to move forward with implementing the LNRS, knowing that it aligns with other priorities.
What happens next
The comments and feedback that you have submitted will be considered in the final strategy. It’s the only way to produce something that brings about the benefits we all agree for people and nature in Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland. After all, nature’s future is our future too.
The final strategy will be presented to all supporting authorities in April 2025, and we will seek approval from the Responsible Authority on 2 July 2025, ahead of publication by the Secretary of State in late July, early August.
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Panel's effectiveness
Date: 16 December 2024 to 17 February 2025
We asked
The Police and Crime Panel (PCP) is responsible for supporting and challenging the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland in his role to hold the Chief Constable accountable for the performance of the force.
The PCP were keen to engage with members of the public on the work it undertakes in scrutinising the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The Panel wanted to receive feedback on the effectiveness of the Panel and hear ideas on what it could do differently, how it should engage with the public and anything else relating to the work of the Panel.
What happens next
The overall outcome of the consultation process will help to shape future engagement by the Panel with members of the public.
The responses received relating to the effectiveness of the Panel will be useful in improving communication on the work the Panel undertakes in scrutinising the PCC.
The responses received regarding the PCC and operational policing will be forwarded to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Budget proposals 2025 to 2029
Date: 18 December 2024 to 19 January 2025.
We asked
Councils across the country are grappling with extremely challenging financial pressures.
A firm grip on our budget means we’re not at a crisis point but rapidly rising demand for services, plus inflation, is set to increase costs by £216m by 2029. This compares to expected extra income and savings of £120m over the same period.
What happens next
Thank you for your feedback - this will now be used to help shape the final proposals for our budget.
These will be discussed by our cabinet on 7 February and finalised at our full county council meeting on 19 February.