Local Democracy Reporters highlight scrutiny of UK councils

Summarised from Leicestershire Live's report · Updated 4 Nov, 18:02 · Archive

The Local Democracy Reporting Service, funded by the TV licence fee, employs 165 reporters across the UK to scrutinise local authorities.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service employs 165 reporters across the UK, funded by the TV licence fee, to keep watch on councils, police, fire and health authorities. According to Leicestershire Live, the service forms an essential part of the country's democratic infrastructure, particularly as Westminster plans to shift more power to regional mayors.

Leicestershire Live's LDRS team has uncovered stories which might otherwise have remained hidden. The outlet reports that Leicester City Council spent more than £10m on an old student accommodation building to provide accommodation for the homeless, but a year on the building remained empty due to delays in securing approval from the Building Safety Regulator. The council has been spending at least £10,000 a month on security for the building meanwhile. The team has also reported on plans to close New Parks Leisure Centre and the impact on disadvantaged communities in the city.

With the BBC's funding currently under review, the future of the service is uncertain.

Read the report

• This is why local journalism still matters in LeicestershireA look back at the stories which would have stayed buriedLeicestershire Live · 4 Nov, 13:41

In this story: Leicester City Council · BBC · Leicestershire · Leicester · UK

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