A proposal for a North West Leicestershire lottery will be discussed by the council's Cabinet later this month - following a thorough debate by Community Scrutiny Committee last night (Thursday).

The lottery proposal, put forward by Cllr Michael Wyatt, is aimed at benefitting local charities as well as offering prize money to individual winners.

But the Scrutiny Committee raised a number of points about how the lottery would be organised - with council specialists Gatherwell in line to set it up in the district.

One councillor described the presentation as 'shoddy' at one point.

But the committee was told that other Leicestershire councils had raised significant amounts for charity.

Councillors heard that Blaby had raised £170,000 for local good causes over the lifetime of its lottery - with Charnwood's figure £115,000.

Cllr Wyatt told the meeting: "It has been quite challenging for our officers, but I've been looking at this lottery for some time, and I genuinely feel it would help a lot of local community groups.

"These groups find it very difficult to get funding.

"This is an opportunity for them, and it's easy to sign up and promote their cause while gaining additional funding.

"It's a win-win. The more the groups promote this lottery, the more they can gain the finance.

"I'm hoping, if it progresses to the next level, then it'll be beneficial to everybody.

"The beauty of it is, the money raised stays within North West Leicestershire. I think that's really important."

Committee chair, Cllr Terri Eynon, said: "If we market this as a way to reduce grant expenditure, then charities will not see this as the cherry on the cake.

"They'll see it as a way to take the cake."

But Labour councillor Simon Lambeth said: "There should be a proper breakdown and a five year plan. This hasn't been presented very well, there's a lot of data missing.

"It's looking a little bit shoddy, nasty and scraping the barrel. It's not making a lot of money. Are there things we could as well as, or better?

"I'd like to see a proper presentation of the numbers."

Councillors were also told that the problem of excess gambling would be addressed, with checks in place and a 'low risk' element to the lottery.

Sales would come from promotion by the local good causes, with people purchasing tickets via an account.

The minutes from the committee meeting will now go to the council Cabinet meeting on February 27.