From Your Green Party Borough Councillors

By the time you read this, we expect the first formal response from Government on the future of local councils in Leicestershire. These proposals could affect every part of our daily lives — from how bins are collected to how planning decisions are made.
Most controversially, the Mayor of Leicester submitted a last-minute proposal to extend the city’s boundaries into Charnwood — including areas like Syston and Queniborough. This was completely unacceptable and done without any meaningful consultation with the people who live here. We have consistently opposed any plans that would see our communities swallowed into the city or placed under an oversized ‘super council’. Local decisions must be made by local people who understand our towns and villages — not distant officials.
We’re also calling on the new Labour government to think again about their ‘Planning Reform’ Bill. As it stands, the bill risks cutting out local voices in the planning process, reducing consultation, and weakening protections for our communities. In areas like Syston – already under huge pressure from new developments – we need more local accountability, not less.
Flooding remains a major concern. The Scrutiny Commission at Charnwood has endorsed the findings of a cross-party investigation into how the council can better support communities during local flood events. However, we’re still waiting for the comprehensive report from the County Council. Until we have the full picture from all agencies involved, it’s hard to see how we’ll get the changes we urgently need. We will keep pushing for these answers and action.
Cllr Laurie Needham has also been working closely with the residents of St Peter’s Court, here in Syston, in response to the Council’s proposals to sell off sheltered accommodation across the borough. Residents have raised serious concerns about losing not just a place to live, but a vibrant, supportive community in a perfect central location. St Peter’s Court is more than a housing site – it’s a lifeline for many. Residents are calling for investment in improvements rather than closure, and for better promotion of the site to future tenants. We are standing with them and urging the Council to explore more positive, long-term options.
As ever, we’re here to represent you and will continue to stand up for Syston and surrounding villages.
Laurie Needham, Chris O’Neill, Sandra Woodward, Andy Haynes, Rebekka Yates & David Infield
Green Party councillors and campaigners for Syston and surrounding villages