County Council election 1st May 2025
Mike Jelfs: Green Party Candidate for Narborough & Whetstone
Mike is proud to announce that he will be standing for election in the Narborough & Whetstone (& Littlethorpe) Division in the Leicestershire County Council elections on 1st May 2025. His first campaign in 2021 laid the foundation for a deeper understanding of local issues, and over the last four years, he has worked to support elected Green councillors while contributing to national energy and transport policy.
A lifelong member of the local community, Mike grew up in Cosby and has called Whetstone home since 1997. Passionate about the environment and sustainable development, he is committed to making a real difference in people’s lives by promoting better public transport, active travel, and a greener, fairer future for Leicestershire.
As an active member of the Green Party, Mike applies his professional expertise as a solution architect to help shape national policy on transport and energy. He also works closely with local independent campaign groups, advocating for better transport infrastructure and smarter local planning. His focus is on real, practical solutions that make communities more connected, sustainable, and resilient.
📢 Mike’s campaign leaflets are now arriving! Keep an eye out for them in your area. If you’d like to get involved or learn more about his vision for Narborough & Whetstone, get in touch today.
Flooding – A bit more detail
A Smarter Approach to Water Management: A New Reservoir for Whetstone Pastures
Mike Jelfs is proposing a new reservoir and water storage area at Whetstone Pastures, offering a practical and sustainable solution to both flood management and water resilience in the local area.
This site presents a unique opportunity:
✅ Natural flood management – The disused railway embankment could act as a natural barrier, storing excess water and reducing flood risks downstream.
✅ Water resilience – Long-term water storage would help secure supply during drier months.
✅ Environmental benefits – The creation of new wetland habitats would support local biodiversity.
✅ Cost-effective solution – Using existing landscape features would help minimise engineering costs.
Mike believes this approach could provide significant environmental and economic benefits, improving flood resilience, water security, and local ecosystems.
For an explanation of this idea, read Mike’s original article (published: 11th January 2025)
and a more detailed view of the proposal including a video of the potential site (on his own website) 🔗 Whetstone Pastures Reservoir
Flooding & Whetstone Parish Council’s Latest Update
It is great to see that the idea of a water storage area south of the village has now been picked up by local councillors, as reported in Whetstone Duckpaddle News. However, the article incorrectly refers to the disused railway embankment as the GWR, when it was in fact the Midland Railway. My original suggestion included using the embankment as a natural barrier to hold water back, a solution that would simplify the engineering and reduce costs.
However, the newsletter raises several important questions. The Parish Council states they have no statutory powers over flooding, but are they doing enough to push for proactive measures from the Lead Flood Authority and the Environment Agency? Coordination delays and the failure to dredge the brook last year highlight the need for stronger advocacy.
The report also claims that all developments since 2012 have controlled surface water runoff effectively. Yet, ongoing drainage failures—such as those on Warwick Road—suggest a gap between policy and reality. If capacity was assessed before approval, why are problems persisting?
Finally, the proposal for a Community Response Plan is welcome, but it should go beyond emergency supplies. A more structured approach, including independent flood risk audits and better public information on drainage maintenance, could make a real difference.
I’ll continue monitoring these issues and advocating for real, effective solutions.
Weekly Planning Application Update and Map
Blaby Green Party shares a weekly update on new planning applications, proposals, and upcoming Blaby District Council Planning Committee meetings. Mike also maintains a Google Map to track these applications and proposals.
