County Councillor Report

Syston Summer Fayre
This year was another great success for the Summer Fayre, whilst the weather wasn’t as kind as previous years there was still a great atmosphere with more stalls than ever and a real Community spirit to the whole event, I would like to thank all the organisers and volunteers especially the stage crews and parking team who were up at the crack of dawn to prepare everything for the stall holders and performers.
Syston Mental Health & Wellbeing Network
I was pleased to attend this networking event at Beedles lake on 1st September, it bought together many local wellbeing community Groups and Healthcare Professionals from Syston and the surrounding area in an informal atmosphere where we could share ideas about new ways to support our community.
Syston Community Flood Group
I joined the Flood Group Volunteers on two Occasions to help with clearing weeds and vegetation around the brookside areas and Millenium Bridge, this area now looks much better and the work to remove the raised tree roots and subsequent patching has made it safer for pedestrians to use.
LCC Saves £540,000 by dimming streetlights
The Previous Conservative administration at Leicestershire County Council identified that savings could be made and in February 2023, the MTFS (Medium Term Financial Strategy) 2023/24 to 2026/27 was approved by the County Council. It identified a requirement to save £500,000 on street lighting. This was reduced to £430,000 in the 2024/25 MTFS following safety concerns raised as part of the consultation exercise and further exceptions to the dimming proposals. During 2024/25, a further £110,000 savings target was agreed for the 2025/26 MTFS as a result of savings being higher than expected due to change in energy rate, bringing the total revised savings requirement to £540,000.13. Any reduction in street lighting energy will also provide a reduction in the Council’s carbon emissions therefore also contributing to its environmental commitments.
The Council currently maintains approximately 70,190 street lighting assets
The dimming trial took place from January 2024 until June 2025 and dimmed the vast majority of all County streetlights to 30% intensity from 20:00 hours until 07:00 hours, apart from those that met the criteria (listed below) of the risk assessment :a) Vertical traffic calming features; b) Town centres; c) Zebra crossings – in line with methodology for lighting zebra crossings, but at new reduced lighting levels, providing increased illumination on the crossing itself; d) Areas with evidenced increased night time crime/anti-social behaviour where maintaining streetlights at existing levels was supported by the police; e) Areas with increased night time road traffic accidents with increased killed or serious injuries at conflict areas;) Currently illuminated steps.The following were also monitored as part of the risk assessment: a) Increased pedestrian interactions with street furniture. B) Increased interactions between vehicles outside of conflict areas. C) Increased interactions between vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians outside of conflict areas.
Any streetlights that met the criteria in the risk assessment remained at their previous lighting levels. Trial Findings18. Savings achieved during the trial period are a) Total energy savings – 1,442,770 kWh, b) Total financial savings – £539,759,c) Total carbon savings – 319.3 tonne (T)2022/23Baseline -Dimming to British Standards a/an/an/a 2023/24 Implementation of 20:00 hours dimming to 30% power in Q4370,688£131,22482.5
It is hoped that the new administration will continue with this initiative as the savings speak for themselves.
Simon Bradshaw CC
Syston Ridgeway Division