Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors de Burle, Freer, Glancy, Higgins, Lumley and Wood.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2023 were confirmed.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

A personal interest in respect of Councillors Orson and Posnett, was noted as being on record for any matters which related to the Leicestershire County Council.

The Mayor informed Members that he had attended the following events since the last Council meeting:

• Taste the Place at the Stockyard
• Judged at the Pie Awards
• Attended the Cadets Awards Evening

Melton Matters Wombles Certificate Presentation

Prior to awarding the Melton Matters Wombles a certificate of appreciation, the Mayor invited Cllr Fisher to speak. Cllr Fisher thanked the group for all that they have done.

The Mayor spoke about the group and their work prior to handing over the certificate to the group.

The Deputy Mayor recognised group and the volume of litter that they managed to collect.

Acknowledgement of Members’ Contributions

The Mayor acknowledged the contribution of all Members over the last four years.

The Leader made the following speech:

“Members it is only a few weeks since our last meeting but even so there has been a lot of happening since the last meeting. I am therefore mindful that we have now entered the pre-election period and therefore I will keep my update brief.

As we look forward to the election, I want to start by thanking the Election Team for their efforts over the coming weeks, as I know what a busy time it will be for them. Can I also take this opportunity to highlight the new requirements that anyone who wishes to vote will need to bring photographic ID to the polling station. You can find more information about this on our website.

I also want to reiterate the appreciation expressed by the Mayor and thank for their service those Members who either chose not stand or who are not re-elected.

Mr Mayor I've always said that our staff are our greatest asset and last week we sent a team to the East Midlands challenge, where aspiring leaders from local authority teams across the region competed in a range of challenging scenarios. I am delighted to say that our team were finalists in the best team category and actually won the behaviors award. Showing once again that it is not just what you do but how you do it that makes team Melton so strong.

Last week the Council hosted a number of important events including the ‘Here for Melton’ community support event which provided an opportunity for residents to access support to address the cost-of-living crisis. We also hosted our partners and colleagues for the MMDR ‘Meet the contractor’ event and at the Stockyard [we] saw the launch of the new ‘Leicester and Leicestershire Taste The Place’ tourism campaign, showing the best food and drinks on offer in the region.

Mr Mayor tonight we have a number of papers, all important, and I look forward to debate that will follow. Thank you.”

In accordance with the Constitution, Members of the Council may answer questions from the public of which notice has been given.

No questions were received by the deadline.

No questions from the public had been received.

In accordance with the Constitution, a Member may ask the Leader, the Chair of the Council or a Committee Chair, a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Borough.

No questions were received by the deadline.

No questions from Members had been received.

In accordance with the Constitution, motions on notice must be signed by at least two Members and be about matters for which the Council has a responsibility or which affect the Melton Borough.

No motions were received by the deadline.

No motions on notice had been received.

To receive a report from the Cabinet on recommendations referred to the Council in relation to the Levelling Up Fund update.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity introduced the report and moved the recommendation. Councillor Graham seconded the motion.

During the debate, the following points were made:

• A Member expressed concern with the amount of borrowing the Council is proposing to make. Although it was noted that the Council hopes to sell an asset in order to fund the match funding element of the bid.
• As the funding is for the Stockyard, concern was expressed that the town centre would get left behind unless the venue and the town centre are linked. However, it was explained that the UKSPF funding would go towards invigorating the town centre and investment in the cattle market would benefit the town too.
• Following the comment that the Borough needs promoting more effectively, Members were informed that some of the fund will be allocated for promotion and advertisement.
• It was recognised that the reason the Stockyard has been successful is that it has recognised the market is evolving and has adapted to meet the new demand.
• Members were reminded that the Council can use the funding on assets it has control over, such as the cattle market.

RESOLVED

Council

(1)  APPROVED to accept Melton’s proportion of the LUF funding and to enter the capital scheme for the Stockyard project totalling £11.1m to the capital programme for 2023/24 to enable its delivery.

(2)  APPROVED to provide match funding of £1m through capital receipts, and if not possible, fund through borrowing.

(3)  APPROVED that authority be delegated to the Director for Corporate Services to update the capital programme with the spend profile across the relevant financial years for the Stockyard project once the detailed budget plan has been prepared.

(19 For, 1 Against, 1 Abstention)

To receive a report from the Cabinet on recommendations referred to the Council in relation to the Leicestershire Resources and Waste Strategy 2022-2050.

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement, the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity introduced the report and moved the recommendation. Councillor Child seconded the motion.

During the debate, a Member commented that the report didn’t mention food waste, however it was noted that Strategy Pledge number 5 makes the commitment to implement and promote food waste collections subject to ongoing Government funding.

RESOLVED

Council

(1)  APPROVED the Leicestershire Resources and Waste Strategy 2022 – 2050.

(2)  APPROVED that authority be delegated to the Director for Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement to sign off any further amendments to the strategy on behalf of Melton Borough Council, to incorporate legislative, regulatory, or national policy changes recommended by the Leicestershire Waste Partnership. Any such changes would be communicated in writing to all Members.

(3)  ENDORSED the continuation of the waste partnership but request that it is developed and enhanced to ensure appropriate political, strategic, and operational engagement.

(4)  APPROVED that the Leicestershire Waste Partnership be requested to explore collaborative opportunities which have the potential to deliver environmental improvements, whilst helping to reduce costs across the waste-system, ensuring that mutual benefits are shared across all partners.

(Unanimous)

The Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement is to provide the Annual Equalities Report.

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement, Councillor Smith introduced the report and moved the recommendation. Councillor Atherton seconded the motion.

RESOLVED

Council

NOTED the progress made in meeting the Council’s equalities duties and commitments as outlined within the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Finance and Resources is to provide the Pay Policy Statement.

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Finance and Resources, the Portfolio Holder for People and Communities (Deputy Leader) introduced the report and moved the recommendation. Councillor Posnett seconded the motion.

RESOLVED

Council

APPROVED the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24.

(Unanimous)

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity is to provide the Statement of Community Involvement update.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity introduced the report and moved the recommendation. Councillor Browne seconded the motion.

During the debate the following points were made:

• It was recognised that the Planning Service has worked very hard in getting the community involved when consulting on planning documents.

RESOLVED

Council

(1)  NOTED the responses given to consultation comments as outlined in Appendix B.

(2)  APPROVED the adoption of the Statement of Community Involvement update.

(Unanimous)

The Monitoring Officer is to present the review of political balance and allocation of seats to political groups.

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report. Councillor Posnett moved the recommendation and Councillor Wilkinson seconded the motion.

During the debate the comment was made that every Member should be able to sit on a Committee and be involved in the business of the Council.

RESOLVED

Council

(1)  APPROVED the political balance calculation set out at paragraph 5.3 of the report;

(2)  APPROVED the allocation of seats on the Committees as set out in paragraph 5.12 of the report;

(3)  NOTED the appointments for the Committees and Working Groups put forward by Political Groups as set out in Appendix A;

(4)  APPOINTED non-aligned members to their allocation of seats on Committees and Working Groups as set out in Appendix A; and

(5)  REALLOCATED the Opposition Group’s seat on the Joint Staff Working Group from Councillor Steven Carter to Councillor Elaine Holmes.

(19 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstentions)