Leicester’s Labour Council has once again ignored the concerns of residents by voting down a crucial amendment at Wednesday's Council budget meeting proposed by Conservative, Liberal Democrat, and Green opposition groups to the 2025-26 Capital Budget. The amendment aimed to save £4.78 million, redirecting these funds to essential frontline services, including flood protection, street cleaning, and public infrastructure improvements.
The proposal would have reduced spending on non-essential projects and reinvested in areas that directly impact residents' daily lives—such as drainage improvements, park upgrades, and public toilets—while also introducing measures to limit the City Mayor’s powers and increase accountability in spending decisions.
Cllr Rae Bhatia, Leader of the Conservative Group, commented:
“We put forward a responsible and thoughtful amendment that put Leicester residents first. Labour’s refusal to back it shows a complete disregard for the needs of our city. People want better flood defences, cleaner streets, and improved public spaces—Labour just wants to keep funding their vanity projects.”
How the Savings Would Have Been Spent:
- Local Environment Improvements – £0.6m for residential car parking, street furniture, and community lighting.
- Flood and Drainage Protection – £0.6m for essential flood defences and drainage schemes.
- Highway Drainage – £0.5m to address road drainage issues.
- Street Cleaning – £0.55m for upgraded cleaning equipment to improve city cleanliness.
- Public Toilets – £0.38m for modernising facilities, including automatic locking systems.
- Sports Facilities in Beaumont Leys – £0.25m for a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA).
- Victoria Park and Aylestone Projects – £1m total for environmental projects and park improvements.
- Golden Mile and Thurncourt Road Shopping Precinct – £0.9m for much-needed revitalisation.
Cllr Bhatia added:
“This is a missed opportunity for real change. We put forward a plan to tighten up wasteful spending while improving the services that people care about most. Labour has chosen to continue with its top-down, out-of-touch approach, ignoring the very real needs of Leicester’s residents.”
