Desford and Peckleton’s Spring Art Exhibition

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Please find attached a poster for Desford and Peckleton’s Spring Art Exhibition on the weekend of 18th and 19th April.  I would be really grateful if you were able to promote this in any way possible.  We have been running our exhibitions for over 20 years and we have a variety of art available to view and purchase during our weekend event.  We are usually very well supported by local visitors and we feel this exhibition is a real hidden gem in what’s on in Leicestershire.  So many visitors comment on the quality of the artwork and we are a friendly group and always enjoy our exhibition weekends.  As part of the exhibition, we run our pop-up cafe serving home made cakes which always sell extremely well!  We can be found on Facebook and our instagram is @dandp_artclub.

Art Club Poster 2026 (1)

Leicestershire Buses: Spring Savings

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Good morning,

Leicestershire Buses: Spring Savings

This Easter half term there are selected savings across the Leicestershire Buses network.

 

  • Families and groups can enjoy up to 50% off Group and Family Day Tickets* when boarding in Leicestershire. These are for tickets/products managed by local bus operators.
  • Passengers on the FoxConnect service will get 10% off every journey.
  • It’s 5 for £5 on select routes across Leicestershire County Council’s fully funded services, these services include LC, MC and HC services.

 

The promotions will run from Monday 30 March to Sunday 12 April 2026.

 

*Ticketing options differ per operator, all information is available on the Choose How You Move website.

 

Please also see the attached promotional material if you wished to share the details with residents.

Read the press release here: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/news/up-to-50-off-leicestershire-bus-travel-this-easter

 

Kind regards,

Sustainable Travel Team

Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RJ

Email: ChooseHowYouMove@Leics.gov.uk

Sheepy Parish Neighbourhood Plan Review and Update 2026

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Information evenings

Thank you to all those who attended the Information Evenings this week. We hope you found it useful in explaining what neighbourhood planning is and the importance of having an up-to-date plan for the parish. For those unable to attend, you can find the presentation slides on the Parish Council website.

To those who indicated at the information evenings that they would be interested in being on the Neighbourhood Plan steering group. We will contact you soon to organise an informal meeting to explain what is involved and for you to consider this further. If anyone else is interested or wants to find out more, please contact the Parish Council directly (info@sheepyparish.com).

The need for the Neighbourhood Plan review

Whilst we already have a Neighbourhood Plan, it inevitably becomes out of date over time as Government planning policy changes and if our Borough Council manages to produce and implement a new Local Plan. One of the most important policy areas where the Neighbourhood Plan needs to be up-to-date is in ensuring that it makes adequate provision for housing numbers set out in the Local Plan. Having an up-to-date Neighbourhood Plan (one that is less than five years old) will give the community control over where it wants to see development take place and the type of development (size and design etc). It can also specify what additional infrastructure and/or improvements it wants to see and ensure that adequate protection is given to what the community values most. Our current plan has been very effective in doing this so far, but will become less so once new national and borough policies are approved.

Updating the current Neighbourhood Plan is therefore something that the Parish Council believes is necessary, but that it needs community support and involvement to deliver it. It will take somewhere between 12-24 months to complete the process, if it passes referendum. In the past, we have been successful in applying for grant funding to cover the costs. However, grant funding is no longer available and so if we are to carry out a review and update the plan, the cost will need to be borne by the Parish Council, i.e. by you as a council taxpayer. The Parish Council has approved this expenditure, subject to the community’s support for the review. This is why support from the beginning is critical.

Information-Evening-Presentation-March 2026_Final

PRESS RELEASE SAVE OUR PUB

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pressure mounts to save 800-year-old Cock Inn at Sibson

Growing concern is being voiced by residents and local representatives over the continued closure and deterioration of The Cock Inn in Sibson – one of the oldest pubs in England – six years after it shut its doors.

The Cock Inn dates to 1250 and is widely regarded as among the oldest surviving inns in the country, the Grade II-listed building predates the Battle of Bosworth Field and is steeped in national folklore. Local tradition holds that the notorious highwayman Dick Turpin used the inn as a refuge. It is a recognised iconic landmark throughout the midlands.
Despite its historic significance, the pub has remained vacant since November 2019 and residents say the building has visibly deteriorated during that time.

The Cock Inn is owned by Star Pubs & Bars, the pub business of HEINEKEN UK. The company has previously pledged at a public meeting attended by over one hundred local residents that it intends to invest in restoration works and a major refurbishment of the site. However, local campaigners say that a number of assurances about progress have not been fulfilled.

Local residents have now organised a petition calling for urgent restoration of the pub, which has already attracted more than 900 signatures. The building was registered as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), recognising its importance to the community.

The petition states:

“We the undersigned request the urgent restoration of our Grade II-listed historic village pub, The Cock Inn in Sibson, by the owners Star Pubs and Bars (Heineken UK).

The Cock Inn is registered as an Asset of Community Value and has been deteriorating since being left vacant in November 2019. It is a much-loved landmark in the area and a much-missed social hub for locals and visitors alike.”

Campaigners say that while plans and commitments have been discussed in previous years, essential and urgent repairs required under planning permissions have not been carried out within the necessary timeframe. Is this lack of action ‘demolition by neglect’?

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Hinckley and Bosworth, said ” The Cock Inn is a great community asset with so much history, I can see why the community have been fighting so hard for it.

“I commend the Parish Council, Cllr Joshua Melen and all those in the community who are working to get this historic pub back to its former glory.

“The petition shows the strength of feeling from residents, and I hope it will help to focus minds.

“I have not only met with everyone involved but visited the Cock Inn to try to help steer progress, and while I understand there have been encouraging words, I hope we can see definitive action that everyone is happy with.

“Now is the time to make a real impact and get the resolution this historic pub deserves.”

In February 2023, ‘Save our Pub!’ was founded by members of the Sibson community with the aim of re-opening the Cock Inn. County Councillor Joshua Melen chairs this group, alongside representing residents in the Market Bosworth area.

Councillor Melen said:

“The Cock Inn is not just another village pub. It is a building of national historic importance and a treasured part of our local community. For centuries it has been a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.
Unfortunately, residents have heard many promises over the past six years about restoration and reopening, but those promises have yet to translate into visible progress. Meanwhile the building continues to deteriorate.”

Councillor Melen added:

“As the owners, Star Pubs & Bars – a part of the wealthy global Heineken Brewing Group – have a responsibility to safeguard this historic building. It is vital that urgent restoration works are now undertaken before further damage occurs.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council is the local planning authority and has an important role in ensuring that necessary repairs are carried out to protect this Grade II-listed building. Residents rightly expect the Council to use the powers available to it to compel action where required.”Local campaigners say they want to work constructively with both the Council and Star Pubs & Bars to secure the pub’s future, but stress that time is running out for the historic building.

For villagers in Sibson, the Cock Inn represents far more than a commercial property. It is a living piece of local and national heritage that witnessed events surrounding the Battle of Bosworth and the start of the Tudor era and which has served the community for nearly eight centuries.

Residents say the priority now is simple: to ensure the building is properly restored and reopened so that it can once again serve as the social heart of the village.

ENDS

1.    The Petition can be viewed here:

https://www.change.org/p/save-our-pub-the-cock-inn-sibson-leicestershire-circa1250

Public invited to comment on proposed Article 4 Direction for Hinckley 

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PRESS RELEASE

ISSUED 18 FEBRUARY 2026

 

Public invited to comment on proposed Article 4 Direction for Hinckley

 

Residents, landlords and businesses are being invited to have their say on proposals that would give Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council greater control over where new Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) are located in Hinckley.

 

The Borough Council has launched a public consultation on a proposed Article 4 Direction, which would mean that planning permission would be required before new HMOs can be created within a defined area of Hinckley. The consultation runs until Monday 23 March 2026, and everyone is encouraged to take part.

 

At present, small HMOs of up to six people can be created without planning permission under national permitted development rules. An Article 4 Direction does not ban HMOs and would not prevent development from coming forward. Instead, it removes the automatic right, allowing the Borough Council to consider each proposal on its individual merits and apply local planning policies when deciding applications.

 

The Council is consulting on the proposal in response to concerns from residents, councillors and local communities about the growing concentration of HMOs in parts of Hinckley town centre and surrounding streets. National planning rules require Article 4 Directions to be evidence‑led and focused on specific areas, which is why the proposal applies to a defined part of the town rather than being borough‑wide.

 

If introduced, the Direction would not be retrospective. Existing lawful HMOs would not be affected, and landlords would still be able to apply for planning permission for new HMOs. Licensing arrangements for HMOs would remain separate and unchanged.

 

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Leader Stuart Bray said: “For some time now, councillors and officers have been extremely frustrated that we have had very limited ability to influence where HMOs are located, even when communities raise strong concerns. This proposed Article 4 Direction would, if approved, give us a way to look properly at each application, consider the local impacts and work towards a more balanced and sustainable spread of HMOs across Hinckley. An Article 4 Direction is about having a say and assessing proposals properly, not stopping development.”

 

People can take part in the consultation by completing the online survey at https://www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/article4 , emailing the Planning Team at planning@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk, or by viewing the consultation documents in person at the Council Offices or Hinckley Library during normal opening hours.

 

All comments received will be carefully considered before the council decides whether to confirm the Article 4 Direction and it would need confirmation from the Secretary of State.

 

For more information, contact the Planning Team on 01455 238141 or email planning@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk.

Sheepy Parish Neighbourhood Plan

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Sheepy Parish Neighbourhood Plan

The Parish Council has agreed to undertake a review of the Neighbourhood Plan. It will be holding information evenings on the 3rd March (Sibson VH: 6-7pm) and 4th March (Sheepy MH: 6.30-7.30pm) to explain more about this. If you are a parishioner you should receive a leaflet through your door with further details. With the Borough Council planning to allocate sites for large scale housing development, this is our communities chance to have a say in what, where and how any development should proceed, as well as what additional infrastructure and services we want.

The current plan has been very effective, but now is the time to make sure it remains up-to-date and effective. However, the review will need your support. Without it, we risk being vulnerable to speculative development with very little say. Please come along to one of the information evenings or contact the Parish Council directly if you’d like to get involved.

New investment will secure 30 years of habitat enhancement  in Hinckley & Bosworth 

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Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council  

Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0FR  

 

  

PRESS RELEASE  

 

 

ISSUED 11 FEBRUARY 2026 

 

  

New investment will secure 30 years of habitat enhancement 

in Hinckley & Bosworth 

 

  

A landmark agreement will secure the maintenance and enhancement of Burbage Common and Woods for the next 30 years. 

  

The Borough Council has agreed to establish parts of the popular nature site as a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) habitat bank. 

  

The move will improve biodiversity in the area and generate income to help towards the costs of providing sustainable habitat improvements at Burbage Common and Woods as well as other countryside sites for at least 30 years.  

  

The additional revenue will also help Burbage Common and Woods cope with increasing visitor pressures. 

  

BNG is a legal requirement that means when developers build something, they must leave nature better off than it was before. This is like a savings account, but instead of money it stores ‘biodiversity units’ created by improving nature. Developers who can’t achieve their required BNG on their own land can buy these units from landowners who are on the BNG sites register. 

  

Cllr Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Parks and Open Spaces, said: “I am proud that we are among the first council in the area to be taking such an important step. 

  

“We are securing the future of Burbage Common and ensuring that it can flourish for at least the next three decades. 

  

“This move is also attracting welcome investment into Hinckley and Bosworth. The money will be reinvested into our green spaces and help to reduce the council tax burden on residents who rightly expect these sites to be looked after to the highest standards. 

  

“It’s important to note that, despite the fact developers will ‘buy’ these biodiversity units, the land remains the property of the Borough Council for the use of everyone exactly as it is now and the council will carry out the improvement works.” 

 

Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of the Borough Council, added: “For a number of years the Borough Council fought tooth and nail to protect Burbage Common from the threat of a massive rail freight depot on land adjacent. This further shows our commitment to safeguard and enhance Burbage Common for future generations and increase wildlife and biodiversity in the area.” 

The Borough Council now has a 30‑year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan setting out the work needed to deliver the required 10% biodiversity gain. 

The next step is to formally partner with a responsible body and agree a conservation covenant, which will set out the improvement works and how progress will be independently monitored over the coming decades. 

Caroline Roffey, Assistant Director for Streetscene Services at the Borough Council, said: “This covenant is really important. It sets the expectations for the next 30 years and ensures that an independent body will regularly check our progress so we can demonstrate the 10% boost in biodiversity we’ve committed to.” 

Once the covenant is in place later this year, the Borough Council can register its biodiversity units with Natural England so developers can purchase them. These units – not the land – are what developers buy, and the Borough Council will continue to own and manage Burbage Common. 

 

ENDS  

Food waste recycling caddies to be delivered from next week

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Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council  

Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leicestershire, LE10 0FR  

 

  

PRESS RELEASE  

 

  

ISSUED 10 FEBRUARY 2026 

 

  

Food waste recycling caddies to be delivered from next week 

 

  

Caddies for the new food waste recycling scheme will be delivered to homes in Hinckley and Bosworth from Monday 16 February. 

  

Food waste caddy delivery is due to begin next Monday and will be staggered for a period of six weeks. 

 

There will then be weekly collections on the same days that waste and recycling are taken in each area. This new service from the Borough Council will not cost residents anything and is being mandated and fully funded by the government. 

 

The following areas will see their caddies arrive by 28 February: 

 

Bagworth, Barlestone, Barwell, Cadeby, Desford, Earl Shilton, Groby, Kirkby Mallory, Market Bosworth, Markfield, Newbold Verdon, Ratby, Stoke Golding, Thornton. 

 

By 7 March, caddies will have been delivered in: 

 

Barton in the Beans, Congerstone, Fenny Drayton, Orton on the Hill, Ratcliffe Culey, Sheepy Magna, Shenton, Sibson, Twycross. 

 

And in these areas, they will arrive by 21 March: 

 

Burbage, Higham on the Hill, Hinckley, Witherley. 

  

A map has been made (see below) for residents to see the latest date by which they can expect to have their food waste caddies delivered. The council will also be keeping residents updated on social media in the coming weeks to make sure everyone knows when to expect their caddies. 

  

Cllr Lynda Hodgkins, Executive Member for Street Scene and Neighbourhood Services, said: “The food caddies and starter packs for the new food waste recycling scheme will soon start arriving on your doorsteps. 

  

“I encourage you all to get involved and make the borough a greener, cleaner place. If you still have any questions about the scheme, please go to www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk/foodwastefaqs and hopefully we have already answered your question. If not, you can email wasteservices@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk or call 01455 238141. 

  

“Please get in touch with the council if you have not received your caddy by the ‘arrive by’ date listed for your area.” 

 

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ENDS  

 

Have your say on future of local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland  

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A bold vision to reset and reimagine local government in Leicester, Leicestershire
and Rutland and deliver better outcomes for communities, led by the Leicestershire
district and borough councils and Rutland County Council

Media release

Date: 5 February 2025

For immediate release

Have your say on future of local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland  

Communities are encouraged to have their say in a Government consultation on the future of local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Government is seeking views on three different proposals to reorganise the existing 10 councils into a smaller number of unitary councils which would each deliver all services.

A seven-week consultation is now underway with views sought on the following proposals:

  • Two councils with an expanded Leicester city boundary and a single council for the rest of Leicestershire and Rutland (proposed by Leicester City Council)
  • Two councils with one single council for Leicestershire and Rutland and one for Leicester on its existing boundary (proposed by Leicestershire County Council)
  • Three councils with a council for north Leicestershire and Rutland, a council for south Leicestershire and one for the city on its existing boundary. It is called the North, City, South proposal (proposed by the seven district and borough councils and Rutland County Council)

Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and speaking on behalf of the Leaders of the North, City, South councils, said: “We are proud of what our councils deliver and do not believe the system is broken, but the Government has made it clear that things have to change across the whole country. Therefore, this represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset and reimagine local government in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and our proposal offers the best option available.

“The eight North, City, South councils have worked hard to develop a proposal which would deliver three strong, financially sustainable councils, capable of improving services and accelerating economic growth.

“Our proposal is built on collaboration, evidence and engagement, with thousands of residents helping to shape the final document. If things need to change, we believe North, City, South is the best way forward for our communities.

“I strongly urge residents, businesses, partners and organisations to take part in this this consultation and have their say.”

The North, City, South Councils say their plan would:

  • ensure councils remain connected to communities
  • retain Leicester’s current city boundary
  • deliver more prevention focused services to improve lives and reduce demand
  • save over £44 million a year
  • create three financially sustainable councils
  • support devolution and accelerate economic growth
  • commit to retaining Rutland’s historic name and civic status

To have your say in the Government consultation visit  https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/local-government-reorganisation-in-leicestershire-leicester-and-rutland/proposals-for-local-government-reorganisation-in-leicestershire-leicester-and-rutland

The deadline for responses is 11:59pm on 26 March 2026.

Government is expected to choose a final proposal by the summer and the new authorities are due to come into effect from 2028.

For more information about the North, City, South proposal, visit www.northcitysouth.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors

Here’s a link to a map of the proposed new areas under the North, City, South plan: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCt67h

The leaders of the district and borough councils and Rutland County Council are listed below.

Cllr Ben Taylor, Leader of Blaby District Council

Cllr Jewel Miah, Leader of Charnwood Borough Council

Cllr Phil Knowles, Leader of Harborough District Council

Cllr Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council

Cllr Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council

Cllr Richard Blunt, Leader of North West Leicestershire District Council

Cllr Samia Haq, Leader of Oadby and Wigston Borough Council

Cllr Gale Waller, Leader of Rutland County Council

 

This email and any files sent with it are confidential. If this email isn’t intended for you, please notify the sender immediately and then permanently delete it. You must not read, print, store, disclose, copy or take any other action in respect of this email. We routinely monitor incoming and outgoing email messages to ensure they comply with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s policy on the use of electronic communications. The contents of emails may have to be disclosed to a request under the Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. The views expressed by the author may not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. Attachments to email messages may contain viruses that may damage your system. Whilst Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise this risk, we cannot accept any liability for any damage you suffer as a result. You are advised to carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment. Save paper – only print this email if necessary. Visit us online: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk Main office: Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leics LE10 0FR

This email and any files sent with it are confidential.

If this email isn’t intended for you, please notify the sender immediately and then permanently delete it.

You must not read, print, store, disclose, copy or take any other action in respect of this email.

 

We routinely monitor incoming and outgoing email messages to ensure they comply with Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council’s policy on the use of electronic communications.

The contents of emails may have to be disclosed to a request under the Data Protection Act 2018, Freedom of Information Act 2000 and/or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

 

The views expressed by the author may not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council.

 

Attachments to email messages may contain viruses that may damage your system.

Whilst Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has taken every reasonable precaution to minimise this risk, we cannot accept any liability for any damage you suffer as a result.

You are advised to carry out your own virus checks before opening any attachment.

 

Save paper – only print this email if necessary.

 

Visit us online: www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk

 

Main office: Hinckley Hub, Rugby Road, Hinckley, Leics LE10 0FR. Main switchboard: 01455 238141