11/06/2026
Annual Report – From the Outgoing Chair of the Council
Over the last year, the council has worked hard doing various projects round the hall and the parish to make it a better place to live. Sadly, we lost Cllr Sharon Garner who resigned from the council this year and also Cllr Carole Bent who joined the council with her husband Malcolm but very sadly passed away after only a short time on the council. We thank both Sharon and Carole for all the work they put in. As a council, we still have vacancies for people who would like to come and make a difference. If you are interested, please get in touch at the parish office. If people are interested, we also have a parish app which can be downloaded if you are interested. In August, we had our annual Picnic in the Park which was well attended by all members of the public. The Chairman thanked members of the parish council for all their work during the year, their support and the jobs taken on by them.
Projects started and completed in the past year were:
• Council adopted a dignity at work policy and signed up to the civility and respect pledge.
• The council added 17 more Christmas lights around the area to improve the image of Leicester Forest East.
• The main parish hall floor was completely refurbished after years of wear and activity.
• We had a new store room created, within the existing building, as a safe, secure store for parish council equipment.
• Significant work was carried out round the perimeter path around the playing field to make the path more usable in all weather conditions.
• The council has regularly advertised councillor vacancies. We would like to have more councillors on the council who represent Leicester Forest East.
• We have had issues with people dumping asbestos on the park which has cost a considerable amount of money to have removed as this has to be carried out by specialist people which is beyond our control.
• We installed air conditioning during this year which also works in the winter as heating which we have more control over than just using a gas boiler and radiators. At the moment it is working in our favour as we can control it more.
• We have had two volunteer litter picks round the playing fields and the parish which were both well attended and all those who attended received a free hot drink and breakfast cob, supplied by the parish council.
• The parish council are continuing to support the community group, the Film evening, which is run by volunteers and is free (funded by Leicester Forest East Parish Council) - everyone is welcome.
• The parish council has installed a new double-wide gate onto the playing fields and is listening to residents, many of whom want the existing tarmac path extended to and around this new gate so the path still reaches the car park. As a result of this, the council is currently getting quotes to extend the tarmac path accordingly.
• Also, our thanks go out to Bev, our Premises Officer, who is retiring after many years’ service to the parish council. We wish her all the best.
• Also, my thanks go to Council staff members Holly Mann (Clerk) and Leigh-Ann O’Brien (Assistant Clerk) for all their work and support during the past year.
