November 2025 - Our Month in Review
Fosse Highcross Remembrance Services
On Tuesday 11th November a two-minute silence will be held across the country to mark Armistice Day. On 9th November Remembrance Sunday services will be held around the country. Locally, the laying of wreaths will be held at St. Helens Church, Sharnford and Sapcote War Memorial beginning at 10.45am. The church service for the three churches of St. Helens, Sharnford; All Saints, Sapcote; and St. Mary the Virgin, Wigston Parva will be held at St. Helens Church, Sharnford at 10.00am. Cllr. Ben Taylor will attend Sapcote and Cllr. Mike Shirley will attend Sharnford.
A Remembrance Holy Communion Service will be held at St. Mary’s Church, Elmesthorpe at 9.15am.
Around the District
Blaby District Council Armed Forces Coffee and Wellbeing Mornings
The Coffee and Wellbeing mornings usually take place on the first Wednesday of every month in the Chamber at the Council Offices on Desford Road in Narborough from 10am to 12pm. Our next scheduled dates for 2025 are as follows:
- Wednesday 5 November
- Wednesday 3 December
Refreshments will be provided at each session and specialist workers will be in attendance to offer various activities, support, and guidance. Spouses, family members and carers are welcome to accompany those who wish to attend. Please note, the running of these events is subject to change. If you or someone you know is a veteran in the Blaby District and would like to know more about our Armed Forces support, please email [email protected]
Ward Councillor Surgery
On the 18th October we ran another Councillor Surgery. This time at Elmesthorpe Village Hall. Many thanks to the Parish Council for letting us use their venue.
Thank you to those that managed to come have a chat.
It’s important to us that we run these events and will look to do more in future.
Local government is going through so much change, with reorganisation, new local plans and food waste changes to name a few. Please get in touch if you want to learn more or raise any local issues.
Thank you – Ben & Mike
Councillor Activities
The following plan shows a full timetable for November where Ben and Mike will attend committee meetings, cabinet meetings, local functions and meetings with residents.
· Training – Data & Managing Council Performance – 4th
· Bi-Monthly Catch up with Executive Director (Place) – 4th
· Local Plan Member Development Group – 4th
· Veterans Coffee Morning – 5th
· Council Meeting Agenda Review – 5th
· Planning Obligations Monitoring Group – 6th
· Elmesthorpe Parish Council – 6th
· Sapcote Parish Council – 6th
· Remembrance Day Services – 9th
· Local Government Reform Agenda Review – 10th
· Member Presentation – Land West of Stoney Stanton – 11th
· Cabinet meeting with Senior Leadership Team – 12th
· A5 Transport Partnership – 14th
· Bi-Monthly Catch up with Executive Director (Place) – 17th
· Grievance & Standards Committee – 17th
· Full Council meeting – 18th
· Portfolio Holder meeting with Group Manager (Planning & Strategic Growth) – 19th
· Grievance & Standards Committee – 19th
· Cabinet Executive – 20th
· Sharnford Parish Council – 20th
· Leadership Training (Warwick Uni) – 22 & 23rd
· Joint SLT/Cabinet Meeting – 25th
News Release
- Solar Panel Project at Enderby Leisure Centre complete
- Still going strong at 101 - Proving age is just a number, a 101-year-old former hosiery machinist is among hundreds of people keeping healthy thanks to Active Blaby
New Local Plan
October 2025 Update
The timeline for our new Local Plan, which will guide future development across the District, has been updated. The plan aims to deliver well-designed and sustainable places to live, work and visit, with transport to ensure the best access to local services and facilities.
We want to better understand the impact of the plan on transport across the District and beyond and are working with Leicestershire County Council to complete a transport study. This will help us ensure the plan is as robust as possible and provides for future public transport and active travel needs.
We now aim to produce the next version, 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.
Local Government Reorganisation
The Districts and Boroughs with Rutland, continue to work towards a joint bid for a 3 Council model – North, City, South.
For the latest info, please visit https://www.northcitysouth.co.uk/
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.
24/0398/FUL – Land to South of Ratcliffe Road, Huncote.
Residential development of 154 homes
Application approved by Planning Committee on 30th October 2025
21/1155/FUL – Potters Kiln, Stanton Lane, Potters Marston
Demolition of existing equestrian buildings and erection of storage barn, machinery store, courtyard stable block with tack rooms and offices, site office/ admin building, indoor arena, manège with 8 no. floodlighting columns and associated parking and landscaping and diversion of existing public right of way.
Application approved by Planning Committee on 30th October 2025
Minor Planning Applications in Fosse Highcross
25/0899/HH - 22 Harecroft Crescent Sapcote
Proposed two-storey side extension and single-storey rear extension,
including demolition of existing single-storey rear extension.
25/0944/HH - 29 Leicester Road Sapcote
Proposed erection of a two storey side extension and single storey front extension
25/0882/FUL - Sharnford Arms 31 Leicester Road Sharnford
Erection of a single-storey extension to the existing public house/restaurant
(Use Class Sui Generis) with erection of a detached building to be subdivided
into a small convenience retail unit (Use Class E(a)) and a hot food
takeaway/fish and chip shop (Use Class Sui Generis), including the
installation of an external extraction flue.
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.
