Leicester Conservatives have today laid down a clear challenge to city councillors from every party: stand with the people of Leicester, or back the out-of-touch decisions made under one-man rule at City Hall.
A cross-party motion submitted by Cllr Hemant Rae Bhatia, triggering a Special Meeting of Leicester City Council on 30 April 2025, demands an immediate halt to the City Mayor’s plans to strip public access from much-loved libraries, community centres and museums across the city.
The motion urges councillors to suspend the Council’s so-called “Museum Service Vision”, which would leave Abbey Pumping Station, Newarke Houses Museum, and Belgrave Hall virtually closed to the public. It also calls for the city-wide consultation on defunding libraries and community centres to be scrapped, after causing widespread distress and confusion.
“This is a moment of choice for every councillor in Leicester,” said Cllr Bhatia. “Do you stand with residents who want to protect the services they use and love – or do you back a City Mayor who’s pushing through cuts with no scrutiny, and no accountability?”
The motion points to:
- Rising public anger over Labour’s plans to shut down much-loved services
- The £16 million cost of the still-closed Jewry Wall Museum – funded by Leicester taxpayers, who now face a likely £10 entry fee
- A bizarre new £550,000 spend on the King Richard III Visitor Centre café, even as vital facilities elsewhere face closure
- The refusal to consider any savings from the Council’s 150 highest paid officers, who together cost around £20 million a year
- A total lack of scrutiny over major spending and service changes
Cllr Bhatia added:
“This can’t go on. Services are being gutted while pet projects go unchecked and top salaries remain untouchable. We’re asking councillors to stop rubber-stamping and start standing up for the people who elected them.”
The motion demands:
- An immediate suspension of the Museum Service Vision
- Withdrawal of the consultation on libraries and community centres
- Full Council approval before any similar proposals are brought forward again
- Urgent work to find alternative savings – including from senior management costs
“We’re offering every councillor a choice,” said Cllr Bhatia. “Do you side with the people of Leicester, or do you defend decisions made behind closed doors by one man at the top?”
For more information on the consultation for libraries and community centres, click here.
