We Asked, You Said, We Did

We sought views on a proposal to charge double the standard council tax for properties that are substantially unfurnished and unoccupied from one year instead of two from 1 April 2024, and secondly, to charge double the standard charge for properties that have no resident and are substantially furnished from 1 April 2025.

59 people responded to the online consultation. The majority (81%) were Leicester residents and 8% responded as property owners.

71% of respondents agreed that we should charge double the standard council for properties which have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished after one year, instead of the current two years.

66% agreed that we should charge double the standard council tax for properties that have no resident and are substantially furnished.

49% agreed that certain types of property or ownership should be exempt from the changes.

On 21 February 2024 Full Council approved to double the standard council tax for substantially unfurnished and unoccupied properties from one year with effect from 1 April 2024, and to double the charge for properties that have no resident and are substantially furnished from 1 April 2025. 

The current exemptions to the additional charge that apply to empty unfurnished properties will continue. We will further consider exemptions once the Government has published its policy guidelines. This will include suggestions made by consultees.

We sought views on a proposal to change the speed limit from 30mph to 20mph on streets in the Osmaston Road area.

29 responses were received to the online consultation. All were within the consultation delivery area.

We also carried out a paper consultation to residents in the area covered by the 20mph zone.
 
1,556 letters were delivered. 194 replied, including 29 via the online consultation, which equats to a 12% response rate.

168 (87%) of respondants were in favour of the proposed 20mph zone, 22 (11%) against and 3 (2%) were unsure.

As a result of the support of the proposal, the Deputy City Mayor for Climate, Economy and Culture has approved the implementation of the scheme which is scheduled to come into force in Spring 2024.

In August 2023, we and our partners (De Montfort University, University of Leicester and Arts Council England) published initial recommendations for a cultural and creative industries strategy for Leicester to help the city raise its collective ambition, create a compelling vision for what it can become, and guide priorities for the next five years. The partners undertook citywide public consultation for comment.

77 responses were received, 62 from individuals and 15 representing organisations.

Most responses were positive and supported the vision and objectives of the strategy. Some respondents thought it should go further, more clearly prioritise between the themes and actions of the strategy and set out a more ambitious vision for cultural and creative industries and communities in Leicester.

The responses gave greatest priority to:

Industry focus and accessibility: There was a strong call for the strategy to focus on creating a robust framework for developing creative talent and skills and supporting recognised events like film festivals and art shows. This included providing accessible space for creatives, which was deemed crucial for fostering growth, attracting investment, and enhancing the city's cultural and economic appeal.

Inclusivity and diversity: The strategy needs to go beyond recognising ethnic diversity and include a broader scope of community representation, including the LGBT+ community and micro-businesses. The strategy should ensure that support mechanisms are equitable and reflect the city's demographics.

Evidence-based claims and local identity: Respondents asked for the strategy to present evidence-based claims about Leicester's cultural offerings to avoid generic statements. There was a desire for the strategy to resonate with local identity, ensuring honesty about the reality of life in the city and recognition of local assets, which would help drive meaningful change and prevent the strategy from being perceived as an out-of-touch, top-down approach.

Others saw a greater opportunity to highlight and capitalise on the benefits of creative health, and the need to link the recommendations explicitly to sustainability and addressing the climate emergency.

All comments have been scrutinised and noted. We and our partners will be hosting a further engagement event at Hansom Hall on Friday 1 December 2023 to set out eight ‘Big Ideas” which have been developed on the basis of feedback from the responses. This event will include live performances which showcase the excellence of cultural activity in Leicester as well as an opportunity to comment further on the ‘Big Ideas’ and provide input into the final strategy. 

In April 2023 we published a draft cycle storage document and undertook citywide public consultation for comment.

25 responses were received, 21 from individuals and 4 representing interest groups.

Many comments were positive and supported the provision of the document but felt it should go further.

Requests were made for greater provision of cycle storage and facilities by the city council and that the needs of wider groups of cycle users and cycle types should be better considered.

Many responses asked for more stringent requirements for new-build developments while others asked for a more lenient approach to allowing cycle storage in front gardens and for more detailed guidance to be published on what types of cycle store would be likely to be approved.
 

All comments have been scrutinised and noted and the document has been amended to incorporate suggestions made. The revised document will be made available on the city council website in due course and will be used as informal guidance to guide cycle parking provision in planning applications.

Comments made about city council cycle provision, which fell outside the scope of the document have been passed to the relevant department for further consideration.

In March / April 2023 we undertook a public consultation with parents/ carers, families, and the workforce delivering, and receiving, the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme, to gather views on the use of a Section 75 Agreement to re-commission Leicestershire Partnership NHS’s Healthy Together service to continue to run the offer, as well as to get feedback on proposed changes to the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme offer. 

We asked respondents to give their views on the following proposals:

• The use of a Section 75 Agreement between Leicester City Council and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust to provide the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme in Leicester.
• Alterations to the delivery of the 3-4 month review for babies, including signposting to online resources and support, with face-to-face contact offered for families who need it. Introduction of a review for children aged 3-3.5 years, predominantly digitally, with face-to-face support offered for families who need it.
• Removal of the intensive health visiting (Early Start) offer, replaced by support provided by local neighbourhood public health nursing (health visiting) teams.
• Increased roll out of the Year 7, 9, and 11 Digital Health Contact.

114 responses were received via our online consultation platform from parents, carers, 0-19 Healthy Child Programme workforce, Leicester City Council staff and other relevant workforce staff. Responses were analysed by council officers, and a summary of the findings are below:

Section 75 Agreement:

• 55 respondents ‘Strongly Agreed’ or ‘Agreed’ with the proposal (70.5%)
• 10 respondents ‘Strongly Disagreed’ or ‘Disagreed’ with the proposal (12.8%)
• 13 respondents ‘Did Not Know’ or had ‘No Opinion Either Way’ (16.6%) 

3-4 Month Contact

• 59 respondents were fully or partially supportive of the proposal (53.2%)
• 39 respondents were not supportive at all of the proposal (35.1%)
• 13 respondents either had no opinion either way or did not answer (11.7%)

3-3.5 Year Review

• 87 respondents were fully or partially supportive of the proposal (80.5%)
• 10 respondents were not supportive at all of the proposal (9.3%)
• 11 respondents either had no opinion either way or did not answer (10.2%)

Intensive Health Visiting (Early Start)

• 59 respondents were fully or partially supportive of the proposal (52.7%)
• 39 respondents were not supportive at all of the proposal (34.8%)
• 14 respondents either had no opinion either way or did not answer (12.5%)

Year 7, 9, and 11 Digital Health Contact

• 86 respondents were fully or partially supportive of the proposal (78.2%)
• 7 respondents were not supportive at all of the proposal (6.4%)
• 17 respondents either had no opinion either way or did not answer (15.5%)

Additional stakeholder feedback was also received outside of this online process including sessions with young people and parents.

A decision has been made by Leicester City Council to use a Section 75 Agreement to continue to commission Leicestershire Partnership Trust to deliver the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme in Leicester.

The changes proposed in the consultation will be implemented and the new contract will commence October 2023 and run for seven years. 

Feedback and comments received reflected what the council had already considered, and issues will be addressed and mitigated in the new contract due to start in October 2023.

The consultation aimed to find out your thoughts on the current sexual health services model, what works well and what could be better, and what else you think is needed. This was to inform our new service contract, due to commence on 1 April 2024.

We wanted to find out:

• If we should increase the number of online booking appointments available for the sexual health service
• How you would prefer to access face to face services
• If we should increase the amount of online information available.

275 people completed the consultation survey, along with a number of in-person focus groups.

64% of responses answered 'definitely' and a further 17% answered 'possibly' for increasing the number of online booking appointments.

53% of responses were in favour of having a mixture of both drop-in (turn up and wait) and bookable appointments, whilst 32% of responses stated that they would prefer bookable fixed appointments only.

55% of responses answered ‘definitely’ and a further 23% answered ‘possibly’ for increasing the amount of online information available.

The findings from the consultation have been extremely useful in helping to shape the future model of the integrated sexual health service (ISHS) and we have read each and every one of your responses and comments with interest. We would like to say a big thank you to all of those taking part in the consultation.

Although the main purpose of the consultation was to understand what people want and need from their sexual health service in order to inform the specification for the new service, where possible, we have worked with the provider to take immediate steps to improve the current experience.

We have worked with providers to ensure that online appointment booking is made available again as this had had to be reduced or suspended during Covid. As a result, online appointment bookings are now fully operational again and are very popular.

For the new contract we will: Work with our provider to ensure that online booking for appointments is always available, where possible, rather than having to phone up. Where patients do need or want to phone up for an appointment, we are working with the provider on making this a more straightforward and faster process.

Walk-in appointments (sit and wait rather than pre-booked) have also been reinstated by popular demand, and these are up and running again. These appointments tend to be particularly popular with younger people. It was clear from the responses, however, that some people prefer to be able to book in advance, so this option remains available - and is now available again online too (see above).

For the new contract, we will: Ask the provider to ensure a proportion of appointments at the hub and spoke clinics remain pre-bookable, and that there is a straightforward way for people to see what options are available to them when accessing the website or phoning up to make an appointment.

We have spoken to our current providers about updating and adding to the website content. One of the things that was brought up in our face-to-face sessions was a lack of awareness around the availability of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, a programme for HIV prevention) and how to access it, and this section of the website has been reviewed and updated.

For the new contract, we will: Ensure that clear, accessible information is available in a range of formats, which includes online information. The website will have clear information about sexual health and contraceptive services available and how to access them, as well as clear, reliable information on all aspects of sexual health. The website will have a ‘self-help hub’ which will include:

• Sexual and reproductive health advice and information
• A section where people can self-triage to support managing their own care where appropriate, including STI self-testing
• Online appointment booking where possible
• Information on access points for things like STI testing and contraception, and including key links to provision offered in General Practice and beyond
• Clear descriptions of what is on offer for the following areas: sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and treatment services, free pregnancy testing, contraception, emergency contraception, HIV PEP and PREP, psychosexual counselling, sexual violence, domiciliary services, C-Card
• Ability to request an interpreter or translator for your appointment
• There should be automatic appointment booking for three-month post STI testing with a text reminder
• Signposting to other useful services and sources of help
• A professionals page for links to those delivering other sexual and reproductive health services such as GPs, pharmacies, public health nursing, maternity.

Visit the website: leicestersexualhealth.nhs.uk/

The full report on the results of the survey is available on request.

During February/ March 2023 we undertook a public engagement with residents and businesses in the Stoneygate area to obtain views on a potential residents parking scheme. We asked respondents: "Do you support the introduction of a permit scheme on your street that operates at all times of the day, 7 days a week?"

Approximately 1,680 residential and business dwellings were invited to take part in the consultation. In total we have received 518 responses on paper and via this website from residents and businesses in the area. Responses were analysed by council officers.

• 139 residents and business responded ‘No’ to the proposed residential parking scheme (27 %)

• 366 residents responded ‘Yes’ to the proposed residential parking scheme (71 %)

• 13 residents and businesses did not answer the question or had no opinion (2 %) 

In addition, respondents included comments both for and against residents parking in the area.

The response data and comments have been analysed in more detail to determine whether or not to continue with further engagement with residents and businesses over potential measures to manage parking in the area. 

Residents’ responses to our 2023 public engagement on possible traffic measures in the Stoneygate area indicated that there is a significant support for a residents’ parking scheme in area affected by non-residents. 

Based on these consultation responses, we are now preparing for a formal engagement involving Traffic Regulation Order process.

In February/ March 2023 we undertook a public engagement with residents and businesses in the Woodgate area to obtain views on a potential residents parking scheme. We asked respondents: "Do you support the introduction of a permit scheme on your street that operates at all times of the day, 7 days a week?"

Approximately 701 residential and business dwellings were invited to take part in the consultation. In Total we have received 144 responses on paper and via this website from residents and businesses in the area. Responses were analysed by council officers.

• Fifty-four residents and business responded ‘No’ to the proposed residential parking scheme (37.5 %)

• Ninety residents responded ‘Yes’ to the proposed residential parking scheme (62.5 %)

In addition, respondents included comments both for and against residents parking in the area.

The response data and comments have been analysed in more detail to determine whether or not to continue with further engagement with residents and businesses over potential measures to manage parking in the area. 

Residents’ responses to our 2023 public engagement on possible traffic measures in the Woodgate area indicated that there is a strong support for a residents’ parking scheme in area affected by non-residents. 

Based on these consultation responses, we are now preparing for a formal engagement involving Traffic Regulation Order process. We will be contacting local residents and businesses to seek views on these proposals in due course. 

In February / March 2023 we undertook a consultation with residents and businesses in the Aylestone Park area to obtain views on a potential residents parking scheme and new one-way streets.

We asked respondents to give their views on the following options for residential parking: 

• Do you support the introduction of a residents permit scheme in operation from 1-9pm, 7 days a week?

We also asked residents and businesses for their views on introducing one-way streets in the area to reduce through traffic and help improve safe parking provision.

Approximately 3,630 residential and business properties were invited to take part in the consultation. 817 responses were received on paper and via this website from residents and businesses in the area. Responses were analysed by council officers.

• 580 residents and business responded ‘No’ to the proposed residential parking scheme (71%)
• 218 residents responded ‘Yes’ to the proposed residential parking scheme (26.7%)
• 17 residents selected ‘No opinion either way’ (2.1%)
• 2 respondents didn’t provide any information on their choice (0.2%)

In addition, respondents included comments both for and against residents parking in the area as well as for the proposed one-way streets. 

The response data and comments have been analysed in more detail prior to determining whether or not to continue with further engagement with residents and businesses over potential measures to manage parking in the area.

Officers found that over 71% of residents and businesses did not give their support to a resident parking scheme in the consultation area, therefore there are no plans for council officers to pursue this scheme further on this occasion. 

There was feedback that was supportive of managing obstructive pavement parking and this will be explored further.

The analysis of the one-way system direction results revealed that there was some interest for those ideas, which will require further review and examination.

We consulted on our proposal to extend existing Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) for three elements of dog control in the city:

1. Dog fouling
2. Dogs on leads
3. Dog exclusion areas

We asked the public and stakeholders if they had any objections to the proposal and provided an opportunity to leave feedback.

337 responses were submitted. Nearly 99% of respondents were members of the public.

In summary, the responses were highly in support of extending all three PSPOs, as follows:

1. Dog fouling - 95% in favour
2. Dogs on leads - 91% in favour
3. Dog exclusion areas - 88% in favour

Additional supportive stakeholder feedback was also received outside of this online process.

All comments have been scrutinised and noted.

The evidence from reports and complaints to our customer services team, and enforcement action taken since the PSPO orders were introduced is in support of them being extended.

We now intend to seek approval from the city mayor to extend the PSPO orders for a further three years. Subject to this approval, notices will be posted in November 2022 confirming reintroduction, and we will publish the renewed orders on our website.

We sought views on the proposed intordution of a new Zebra crossing

15 valid responses were received to the online consultation. 
  
We also carried out a paper consultation to residents close to the proposed crossing and traffic calming
 
40 letters were delivered. 17 replied (plus 15 online consultation replies)
 
25 (78%) were in favour of the proposed zebra crossing and associated traffic calming, 5 (16%) against and 2 (6%) made no selection.

As a result of the support of the proposal, the Deputy City Mayor has approved the implementation of the scheme. Work was due to start on site in October 2022 and has now been completed.

We asked residents and businesses in the Tudor Road area for their views on proposals to introduce a residents parking scheme - in particuler, the following options: 

•    24 hours a day, seven days a week
•    24 hours a day, weekdays
•    8am-6pm, weekdays
•    Weekends 
•    Other times

Out of 2,170 residential properties and businesses contacted, 141 responsed via our online consultation.

Responses showed some streets were against the introduction of a residential parking scheme. However more support was expressed in favour of the scheme towards the southern end of Tudor Road and around Tudor Close where inconsiderate and illegal parking is taking place.

Amongst other comments, 77 responses asked for a 24 hours a day, seven days a week residential parking scheme; 19 responses asked for the scheme at other times; and 18 responses asked for 8am-6pm scheme during weekdays. A further nine responses asked for 24 hours a day during weekdays only scheme; seven responses asked for a weekend only scheme and six for the 10.30-11.30am, weekdays option. Five respondents did not answer the question. 

All comments have been scrutinised and noted. The overall consultation response has been relatively low and inconclusive. Therefore, no further action will be undertaken by the Leicester City Council at present. Whilst the council will not be taking forward resident parking scheme at the moment, it is looking into the issue of ongoing inconsiderate parking in and around the Tudor Close area and how it can be prevented. 

We asked residents and businesses for their views on a potential resident parking scheme in the Woodgate area. We also asked for views on following options for residential parking: 

• 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• 24 hours a day, weekdays
• 8am-6pm, weekdays
• Weekends

90 responses in total were received from residents and businesses. Amongst other comments:

• 44 responses selected 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• 16 responses selected Weekend
• 12 responses selected Other
• 7 responses selected 8am-6pm, weekdays
• 3 responses selected 10.30-11.30am, weekdays
• 3 responses selected 24 hours a day, weekdays
• 33 responses were against the introduction of residential parking in the area.

All comments have been scrutinised and noted. We now intend to carry out a consultation for the 24 hours a day, seven days a week residential parking scheme, which was the most popular option.

We sought views on the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures in the area.

26 valid responses were received to the onlineconsultation. 22 were in the consultation delivery area. We also carried out a paper consultation to residents in the area covered by the 20mph zone.
 
375 letters were delivered. 133 replied (including via the online consultation) which was a 35% response rate. 
116 (87%) were in favour of the proposed 20mph speed limit, 14 (11%) against and 3 (3%) made no selection or were unsure.

92 (69%) were in favour of the traffic calming proposals, 35 (26%) against and 6 (5%) made no selection or were unsure.

As a result of the support of the proposal, the City Mayor has approved the implementation of the scheme which is scheduled to come into force later this financial year.

We sought views on the proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit in the area

22 valid responses were received to the online consultation. 17 of these were within the consultation delivery area.
  
We also carried out a paper consultation to residents in the area covered by the 20mph speed limit.
 
924 letters were delivered. 184 replied (including the 17 via the online consultation) which was a 20% response rate.

167 (87%) were in favour of the proposed 20mph speed limit, 18 (10%) against and 6 (3%) made no selection or were unsure.

As a result of the support of the proposal, the City Mayor has approved the implementation of the scheme which is scheduled to come into force.

In October / November 2021 we undertook a consultation with residents and businesses in the Aylestone Park area of the city to obtain views on a potential residents parking scheme, new one-way streets and controlled pavement parking. 

We asked respondents to give their views on the following options for residential parking: 

•    Residents only, 24 hours a day, seven days a week
•    Residents only, for a limited time period.
•    Residents only, during events at the nearby sports grounds
•    No residents parking scheme at all

We also asked respondents to give their views on introducing one-way streets to help improve safe parking provision and to reduce through traffic.

Finally, we asked for views on introducing controlled pavement parking to help improve safe parking provision.

Approximately 4,600 residential and businesses properties were invited to take part in the consultation. A total of 527 responses were received from residents and businesses in the area (paper and online).

Results showed overall support for some form of residents’ parking scheme in the area with 50% for and 46% against. However, there was greater support for an residents' parking scheme in the north of the consulted area impacted by football match parking, and also closer to the cricket ground. These two areas together gave 57% support for and 41% against. There was overall no support for a residents parking zone further away from these sports grounds, with 65% being against any residents parking scheme.

There was a 61% approval for bringing in new one-way streets.

There was a 55% approval for bringing in controlled pavement parking.

In addition, respondents included many comments for and against residents parking in the area. Very few comments were received regarding one-way streets or pavement parking. 

The overall consultation response showed that there is support for some form of residents’ parking scheme in parts of the consultation area. There will now be further consultation by the Leicester City Council in the areas that showed support for such a scheme.

Further consultation will help be to establish clearer support for any scheme and how it might operate.

If any residents’ parking scheme is progressed after further consultation, then controlled pavement parking and new one-way streets will be included as part of the overall design of any scheme. 

We asked for views on our draft Gambling Policy for 2022-25. The draft policy had been updated to take account of minor changes to the Gambling Commission's guidance but was not significantly different to the existing policy.

There were 12 responses to the consultation. The comments were generally favourable, with some specific suggestions for minor amendments to the policy.

The draft policy was amended to take account of the consultation responses, namely:

• removal of a table showing suitable locations for gambling premises
• additional text relating to risk assessments
• additional text relating to mandatory and default conditions

The draft policy was approved at Full Council on 25 November 2021 and has been published online. It will take effect on 1 February 2022.

What improvements would you like to see to the cul de sacs in Clarendon Park?

158 responses were received from street surveys and via this website. Amongst other comments, 34 responses asked for resurfacing of the cul de sacs, 68 people asked for more trees and 22 asked for new cycleways.

Leicester City Council has ordered a refresh of the plants in the planters. One planter on Montague Road is in a poor condition and will be removed completely with a new tree planted in its place. Shared use cycleways will be installed in six of the cul de sacs. This will help to reduce the number of cyclists riding on the footway.

We asked for views on the proposed 20mph Zone for Abbey Mead School.

Twenty four valid responses were received to the online consultation, 8 of which were outside the consultation delivery area.

We also carried out a paper consultation to residents in the area covered by the proposals - 994 letters were delivered.

In total, 157 people replied (16% response rate).

142 (90%) were in favour of the proposed 20mph speed limit, 12 (8%) against and  3 (2%) made no selection.

136 (87%) were in favour of the proposed traffic calming proposals 15 (10%) against and  6 (3%) made no selection.

As a result of the support of the proposals, the City Mayor has approved the implementation of the scheme which is scheduled to come into force in Spring 2022.

We asked for views on various school term date options covering 2022/23 up to 2026/27.

A total of 5,514 responses were received to the online consultation.

3,628 respondents (65.8%) chose Option A to keep the existing pattern of term dates, which matches the Leicestershire County Council dates.

1,143 chose Option B and 625 chose Option C. 

As a result of the support of the proposal, the Deputy City Mayor for Education and Housing has approved the implementation of the dates set out in Option A. These can be viewed on the Leicester City Council website.