Social Value Ideas for Charnwood Borough Council

Council tax rise approved

The council approved its 2026/27 general fund and HRA revenue budgets with a 2.5% council tax increase, after rejecting an amendment to freeze council tax. Members cited the need to preserve reserves …

“I believe these budgets strike an appropriate balance between financial prudence, sustainability, provision of excellent services and also fairness to…”

2025/26 budget approved

The council approved the 2025/26 general fund and HRA revenue budgets and council tax. The budget included a general fund working balance forecast of £6.36m at March 2026, additional community grant f…

“Thank you Madame mayor I'd like to introduce the proposed 2025 26 budgets for the general fund in the HRA Revenue accounts I believe these budgets str…”

Freeze amendment rejected

A Conservative-led amendment sought to freeze council tax for one year by drawing on reserves, but the council rejected it. The debate centred on whether reserves should be used to relieve cost-of-liv…

“Thanks very much, Mr. Mayor. So the motion is in light of the cost of living burden Charwood residents are facing, we propose that this council resolv…”

Treasury portfolio performing well

Council noted the mid-year review of treasury management and annual investment strategy, with the investment portfolio outperforming benchmark. The item indicates no significant change to strategy but…

“So, this item concerns a midterm review of our Treasury management strategy. It outlines the rules and regulations in which we operate as well as upda…”

Affordable housing mix confirmed

Officers corrected the affordable housing mix to three one-bed units rather than six, and the agent stated the scheme will provide 19 affordable homes, representing 30% of the 64 dwellings. This is a …

“The mix that is stated at paragraph 9.3.8 of the report is incorrect. The um number of one bed affordable units proposed is three not six. um the affo…”

100% affordable homes scheme

The applicant’s consultant stated the scheme would deliver 100% affordable homes and that the council’s latest monitoring showed it was behind on affordable housing delivery. The committee heard that …

“The development is being brought forward in partnership with a social housing provider and is anticipated to deliver 100% affordable homes although th…”

Nine affordable homes transferred to council

A section 73 amendment at Haven reduced affordable housing from 22 units to 9 units, with the nine homes to be transferred to the council for a nominal £1 per property and then managed as social rent.…

“So, these properties the 12 13 units sorry um the nine affordable units will be gifted to the council for a nominal fee of £1 per property and once th…”

40% affordable housing uplift

The housing proposal was highlighted as delivering 40% affordable housing, above the policy requirement of 30%, equating to 46 affordable homes. This materially affected the decision and was presented…

“The proposal will deliver 40% affordable housing above the policy requirement of 30% at a time when there is an unmet need for affordable housing. The…”

Refusal of campsite use at Manor House

The committee refused planning permission for a seasonal campsite and associated use of the domestic garden and swimming pool at The Manor House, 70 Main Street, Covington. Officers concluded that whi…

“Speaker 2: So in conclusion, it is considered that there are benefits to the scheme and the applicant has altruistic notice for offering the site to c…”

Adjournment for new NPPF

The committee agreed to adjourn consideration of the planning application because officers had only just received the government’s updated National Planning Policy Framework and could not yet advise o…

“thank you Mr Moy um members in the light of the advice that we have just received from our planning officer Mr Wy um uh I would like to move a motion …”

Neighbourhood plans funding response

The council debated a motion responding to the government’s withdrawal of funding for neighbourhood planning support services. Members agreed to write to the minister opposing the removal of funding, …

“Mr. Mayor, I move the motion in my name on uh neighborhood plan funding on page 19. Following the spending review, the government announced that it is…”

Defer Hobie Road layout-driven outline

The committee decided to defer the Hobie Road outline application because members were uncomfortable that layout issues were being determined too early, rather than left to reserved matters. The main …

“Councelor Infield. Yeah. I wonder whether we could shortcut this in a different way. Could we simply defer the application and ask them to do no furth…”