December 2025 - Our Month in Review

🎄 Merry Christmas 🎄
 

DRIVE SAFE AT CHRISTMAS

Fosse Highcross villages are surrounded by high-speed roads M69, A5, M1, A47, and B4114 but our minor roads are also susceptible to speeding through the villages with our roads more suitable to 1950’s cars rather than the larger, faster vehicles of today.

High Speeding Rates:      Research indicates that on Christmas Day, 91% of cars exceeded the speed limit, and 63% of vehicles were speeding on 30mph roads. This trend highlights a concerning pattern of reckless driving during the festive season. 

Distracted Driving: Alongside speeding, distracted driving also spikes during this time, with phone usage whiledriving increasing significantly. On Christmas Day, average screen interaction time while driving can jump to 70seconds, which is a 47% increase from the annual average.

Drink Driving: There are more than 100 arrests for drink-driving offences around the county every month but that figure tends to peak during the Christmas and New Year season thanks to the force's annual campaign, which starts today and continues until the New Year. Over the coming weeks, patrols across the county will be taking place around the clock, with officers carrying out checks at locations to catch anyone driving home after drinking or even setting off in the morning after far too many the night before.

White Ribbon Campaign – supported by Blaby District Council

When is White Ribbon Day 2025?

White Ribbon Day is observed on November 25th each year. It marks the beginning of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence,” a global campaign that runs until December 10th, International Human Rights Day.

News Releases

·         A Business Breakfast with a difference – Learn how recruiting from the Armed Forces makes sound business sense.

·         Blaby District Council group leaders united in support of North, City, South proposal.

·         Community Safety Boost – victims of domestic violence are among those benefitting thanks to £11,000 grant to buy practical gadgets to help keep people safe.

·         Council backs White Ribbon Campaign.

·         Sycamore Street change of use bid rejected.

·         Bring on the Festive cheer.

·         Councils submit bold vision for Local Government Reform.

Around the District

Last month we ran another successful business breakfast, this event was Armed Forces Employment themed. And demonstrated how easy and beneficial it is to recruit those from the armed forces community. And the support offered.

As Christmas is here, we’ve also had lots of village events, including the Sapcote Christmas light switch on. Many thanks to all the parishes and volunteers that make these events so great.

Fosse Meadows – Mason

As you can see below, Mason who runs the coffee van

At Fosse Meadows, has taken part in fund raising for the local charity HOPE.

Hope who provide help and hope to local families during the festive period with food hampers and vouchers. We both very much support Mason and his fund raising. If you can, please visit and donate.

Councils submit bold vision for Local Government Reform

Of the 10 Councils across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, 8 including Blaby District Council have submitted a bold vision to government for future council structures.

All seven Leicestershire district/ borough councils and Rutland County Council are formally backing the North, City, South plan which would see three strong unitary councils delivering services for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The plan has been developed following extensive engagement with communities, partners, stakeholders and businesses across two exercises which received around 10,000 responses. The engagement showed strong support for a three-unitary council approach.

The North, City, South proposal is in response to the government’s instruction to reduce councils in the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland area and create a mayoral-led strategic authority as part of its devolution agenda to give power and funding to the regions.

The eight council leaders say North, City, South is the most credible option for future council structures, is backed by compelling evidence and data, has community support and meets all criteria set by government. 

The plan would see 10 councils reduced to three, serving around 400,000 residents each. They would cover:

• North Leicestershire and Rutland
• South Leicestershire
• Leicester City

The North, City, South plan will enable:

• the delivery of devolution at pace by holding a Mayoral election in 2027
• accelerated economic growth
• more prevention focused services to improve lives and reduce demand
• savings of over £44 million a year
• councils to remain connected to communities
• the retention of Leicester’s current city boundary
• three financially sustainable councils

The business case is clear that the city council is financially stable without changing the boundary, largely thanks to government funding changes and a greater focus on prevention to reduce demand. The two new authorities would also be financially strong.

The city’s growth, along with that in the two new authority areas, can be supported and developed through collaboration which has happened for many years through joint growth plans. This would be led by the new mayoral strategic authority to drive investment into the area.

The North, City, South plan places a strong ocus on prevention with the proposed creation of neighbourhood partnerships to help council services work more closely with other public services like the NHS, police and the voluntary and charity sector. This would get help to people sooner, improve lives and reduce demand to help councils be more sustainable.

There is also a commitment to retain Rutland’s name and ceremonial status.

Councillor Activities

The following plan shows a quiet timetable for December with Christmas just around the corner. Ben and Mike will attend Parish Council meetings, committee meetings, cabinet meetings, local functions and meetings with residents.

·         Better Mental Health with residents – 1st

·         Meeting with parish council chairman – 2nd

·         Planning Portfolio meeting with Executive Director (Place) – 2nd

·         Armed Forces Veterans Christmas Special – 3rd

·         Treasury management training – 4th

·         Sapcote Parish Council – 4th

·         Sharnford Bacon Buttie – 6th

·         Cabinet meeting – 10th

·         Local Development Group meeting – 16th

·         Cabinet Agenda Review – 17th

·         Portfolio Holder meeting with Planning Manager – 18th

·         Planning Obligations (S106) meeting – 18th

·         Sharnford Parish Council – 18th

·         Sharnford Xmas hamper distribution – 20th

New Local Plan

In his role as Portfolio Holder for Planning & Strategic Growth, Mike attended a two day training course organised by the Planning Advisory Service in conjunction with the Local Government Association, at Warwick University, held over the weekend 22nd November. The programme was designed to:

·         Understand what the latest government changes mean for planning and give early insights into new policies and reforms.

·         Discover what these changes mean for your council’s plan-making and decision-making.

·         Learn how to become a champion of placemaking and help to recognise the key skills needed.

·         Allow you to review and compare your council with others.

·         Allow you to learn from each other’s experiences.

The course was attended by 14 delegates representing 12 district, borough, and county councils from across England. Each council is at a different stage of producing their Local Plan.

Blaby now aim to produce the next stage of the Local Plan, known as the Regulation 19 version, by April 2026. This is a full draft that we will consult on, asking residents, businesses and communities their views on proposals for development across the District until 2042.
After public consultation, the Local Plan will be put to the Planning Inspectorate for examination by an independent inspector.

Major Blaby District Planning Applications

The Planning Committee has been actively reviewing these applications as part of the district’s ongoing development initiatives. Particular attention is being given to the impact of these projects on local infrastructure, green spaces, and community amenities, ensuring that future growth aligns with sustainable and inclusive planning principles. Upcoming meetings will further address the concerns raised during public consultations with an emphasis on balancing housing needs and preserving the unique character of each area.

24/1092/FUL- Wardens Walk, Leicester Forest East
Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 58 affordable houses.
Approved by Planning Committee on 27/11/2025

25/0723/FUL- Sycamore Street, Blaby
Change of use to enable standing of residential caravan plus erection of new gates.
Refused by Planning Committee on 27/11/2025 at officers’ recommendation.

24/0770/FUL- Springfield Farm, Forest Road, Huncote
Demolition of dwellings and erection of 191 new dwellings.
Approved by Planning Committee on 27/11/2025

25/0927/FUL- Land West of Park Road, Sapcote
Residential development of 176 dwellings
Decision to be made at future Planning Committee

25/0845/FUL- The Close, Aston Lane, Sharnford
Change of use of agricultural land to form an extension to existing haulage yard for open air storage of timber frame parcel sections.
Applicant has carried out changes without planning permission.

Minor Planning Applications in Fosse Highcross

25/1020/HH - 23 Harecroft Crescent, Sapcote
Erection of First Floor side extension and single storey rear extension.

25/0903/HH - 9 Stanton Road, Elmesthorpe
Removal of hedge with replacement UPVC fencing and electric gates (retrospective)

25/0815/HH – 16 Bridle Path Road, Elmesthorpe
Two storey side extension, First Floor extension over garage.

Planning Appeals in Fosse Highcross

24/0834/OUT – Land north of Leicester Road, Sharnford
Appeal to Secretary of State against Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for erection of up to 98 dwellings. Appeal awaiting decision on 6/01/2026