Following the sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, residents may wish to know of arrangements and events across Oadby and Wigston during the period of mourning and to mark the proclamation of the King.

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Borough Proclamation

His Majesty The King was proclaimed at the Accession Council this morning at St James’s Palace, London.

The reading of the borough Proclamation on the accession will take place at The Peace Memorial Park in Wigston at 2pm tomorrow on Sunday 11th September.

All are invited to attend. Please aim to arrive by 1.45pm.

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Books of Condolence

Books of Condolence are available for people to sign at the main Council Offices, Bushloe House in Wigston, between 9am and 5pm every day until the day following the funeral.

Online books of condolence are available to sign via Buckingham Palace and the HM Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire.

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Floral Tributes

Floral tributes can be laid in designated areas at:

Council Offices, Bushloe House, Wigston
Peace Memorial Park, Wigston
Blaby Road Park, South Wigston
Ellis Park, Oadby

Yesterday afternoon, senior members of the council laid a floral tribute at each of the locations listed above.

The Borough Council respectfully ask that all floral tributes are removed from their cellophane wrapping.

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Reflection Park, Leicester Rd, Oadby

Oadby Community Stakeholders have announced that the Reflection Park (opposite St. Peter’s Church) has paper flowers you can write on and attach to the trees to express thanks for The Queen at this time of national mourning.

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Contacting your Councillors

We have joined Liberal Democrat colleagues across the United Kingdom in suspending political campaigning with immediate effect. As your councillors, we will continue to be contactable if you wish to raise an issue about local services.

Severn Trent have written to many residents to let them know that they are replacing mains water pipes along The Parade between 19th September & 18th November. A second phase will replace pipes along London Road between January and May.

The water company will be holding a drop-in session at the Walter Charles Centre next to the Royal British Legion on Wigston Road this Wednesday (24th Aug) from 2.30pm to 6.30pm to answer questions.

No information is yet online from Severn Trent but I’ve uploaded a scan of their letter to residents.

Councillor allowances frozen for a 5th year; Liberal Democrats want to keep weekly bin collections

A quick round up of Tuesday’s Full Council:

Council voted to freeze the Councillors’ allowance for the 5th year in a row. A single overall amount covers all expenses to prepare for and attend regular council and other meetings within the Borough, responding to residents’ enquiries, travel costs, phone calls, internet, stamps and so on

The basic allowance of £4750 before tax is the lowest in Leicestershire and Rutland, and represents 1 hour 22 minutes a day at the minimum wage. Whilst MPs wages and councillors’ allowances in nearby authorities have gone up over recent years, Oadby and Wigston councillors deliver the best value for money in the county, recognising the importance of careful use of public money.

The meeting then viewed a presentation from the Senior Strategic Development Manager on the Refuse and Recycling Review. The presentation was held in closed session on legal advice due to the commercial implications of this area.

Liberal Democrat councillors want to keep the weekly bin collections favoured by residents and will do so unless prevented by central government or the county council.