Borough hosts 10th Rural Conference

Delegates representing the rural parishes of the borough, along with key partners including Leicestershire Police, the Rural Community Council, Leicestershire Communities and Sport in Desford attended.

The year’s event focused on looking to the future of our parish councils, networking opportunities and bringing delegates up to date on key priorities which included:

• The launch of household food waste collections in 2026
• Update on the local nature recovery strategy and the next steps
• Environmental crime and enforcement
• Hinckley and Bosworth tourism sector update
• Caring for Charnwood Forest and partnership approach to volunteering
• Local and neighbourhood planning
• Health and social opportunities for older adults
• Rural Community Council support for village and community halls
• Rural policing; and much more.

Delegates had the opportunity to meet police volunteers who showcased their mounted police work with a visit from Harry and Flossy the horses.

Plus, the Borough Council's youth engagement activator spoke about wellbeing courses being run throughout the borough’s rural schools. Pupils from Sheepy Magna Primary School presented on how the sessions had helped them to move more and to understand the benefits of physical activity and the benefits to their health and wellbeing.

Councillor Martin Cartwright, Executive Member for Rural Affairs said: “I am proud to say that this is our 10th conference and once again I would like to thank all our parish councillors and clerks along with our partners for all the work they do for the borough’s communities particularly over the past year.

“Topics have been varied, and we look forward to developing and progressing new initiatives both within the borough council and its partner organisations in the forthcoming year and beyond.”

For further details about the rural work programme and strategy contact Cultural Services on culture@hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk