Minutes:
Public Toilets
There is one public toilet in Wigston on Peace Memorial Park, which is open everyday except at weekends. A resident asked if the toilets on Junction Road car park will be brought back into use – there are no plans to do this. There was an attempt by the Council to encourage local businesses to open their toilets for public use but there was resistance to their use by non-paying customers.
Oadby & Wigston Civic Orchestra – 60th Anniversary Season
The Orchestra was founded in 1966 and is coming up to its 60th year. The Orchestra is looked after by a gentlemen named Keith Smith who has conducted most of their concerts over its 60 years. The anniversary season was brought to the attention of residents for concerts on 3 January and 28 February 2026. There is a possibility that the Orchestra will not continue after these events unless another individual is prepared to take on the running, and organisation, of it. Venues for the concerts will be confirmed in the near future.
Greater Wigston Historical Society – Search for New Premises
From 2019 the Society operated out of a premises at the former Guthlaxton College, but has recently moved to Fenix Pharmacy in South Wigston. The pharmacy is expanding which means the Society has to now move. A suitable premises is to be sought which can be opened to the public for 1 day a week, with a request made for any suitable premises to be brought to the attention of the Society.
The Elms Bar and Restaurant - Windows
This is subject to an enforcement process with no further update available due to this. Timescales for this are set within legal frameworks so the Council cannot expedite enforcement.
Planning Portal
Residents noted that the portal is not great and this makes it difficult to find information regarding planning. It was asked where else applications are advertised. The Council undertook a survey on the returns received from site notices and online returns for planning applications – the majority of them came via online returns. Site notices will still go up but letters to houses are no longer being delivered.
Rectory Close
Drains blocked from Council grass cutting – Cllr Bentley has been shown pictures of this and will follow up. Residents were unhappy that a Council maintenance officer was supposed to attend the site and didn’t do so. Housing Officers have informed residents that there will not be a gate installed at the rear of Rectory Close – residents note that this would be a replacement gate for one that had blown down, and that rear access to the property is not possible with residents having to go via Falmouth Drive.
Bus Stops
The stop outside of Bushloe House is still advertised on the buses as “Council Offices” which is no longer the case. Residents have raised this with the bus operators but nothing has changed – it was asked if Councillors could do this but it is likely it will need to be raised by County Councillors.
The electronic bus timetable near the shops is stated by the County Council to be included in the current programme of works.
Flags on Lampposts
A resident asked why there weren’t many flags placed on lampposts in the Borough, and who had put them up, and had the Council taken any down? OWBC has not been involved in any of these works, with the lampposts belonging to the County Council. In formal cases OWBC has had to apply to the County Council for permission to affix items to lampposts. The Leader of the County Council has confirmed that they will not take any action to remove flags form the lampposts, or fine anybody caught placing them on them – the PCC has also noted a similar position with local Councillors placing objections to this lack of action on record. Cllrs noted that when raising queries with them it is usually best practice to email all Ward Councillors collectively to ensure a response.
Children’s Park on Kelmarsh Avenue
A new swing was noted as being installed. Any further works will occur when a budget is available. A new play area at Willow Park for disabled children is also to be created, placed here due to the adjacent car park. UKSPF funding is also available for some works in parks across the Borough.
Grass Areas on Meadows Estate
The areas purchased by a private individual must be maintained by them, with enforcement action being considered. Some of the areas owned by Jelsons are also not being maintained.
Ash Trees on Cooks Lane
Several of these have died and are either falling down or shedding branches, particularly heading toward the canal. There is a concern that these may cause injury to pedestrians or motorists. The landowner will be notified of this, and it may be possible for the dead trees to be replaced under some national schemes.
Pigeon Droppings
Previous minutes state that the Council can’t do anything about pigeons, especially where they are being fed on private land. It was asked if a polite letter could be sent to residents in affected areas asking for pigeons to not be fed – the Chair indicated that this is probably not feasible.
Meadow Way Development
A resident asked if the development would be starting soon. It was noted that it is already underway as it will be built piecemeal. The existing local plan which included the site to the rear of Brocks Hill was paused due to a change in government legislation, with a new local plan being developed. The Council is currently looking at if it can achieve its government set housing targets, with concerns that it will not be able to due to the land it has available. If OWBC declares an ‘unmet need’ then other neighbouring councils must pick up the development of those houses – this is partly why the City is thought to have its designs on parts of the Council. More of a variety of house sizes is being sought within the Borough’s local plan.
A resident queried if “permission given” developments that aren’t yet being built are included in the decision-making process for successive planning applications, particularly for large housing developments. It was confirmed that this does form part of the planning process.
Increase in Contractor Parking on Cooks Lane
Residents are concerned that a large number of vehicles are parking here on the grass verges, with some signage having been placed advising against this. This is likely down to the County Council to enforce, but OWBC cannot force them to park elsewhere. It is uncertain if there are conditions in place on the development regarding parking, but if there are the Council may be able to undertake some enforcement – Cllr Bentley will look into this.
Former Birkett House Site
This will likely be sold off for housing development. The three-storey house adjacent to the site on Newgate End is not a part of this site and will not be included in the sale.
The Old Crown
This has been bought but there is no planning application submitted for a change of use to date.
Aylestone Lane – Bus Stop near Car Park
Corrugated fencing at the bus stop near Leicester Road is dilapidated. This is owned by a private individual.
Christmas Lights Switch On
29 November.