Venue: Parkside, Station Approach, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray LE13 1GH
Contact: Democratic Services
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor Pitt Miller. |
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To confirm the Minutes of the
previous meeting held on 24 May 2023. Minutes: The
Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2023 were confirmed. |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PDF 60 KB Members to declare any
interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: An other registerable
interest in respect of Councillor J Orson was noted as being on record for any
matters which related to the Leicestershire County Council. An interest in respect of Councillor M Gordon was noted as being on record as she is a member of the Waterfield Leisure Centre and a Council tenant. |
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MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: The Mayor informed Council
that he attended the following events:
Deputy Mayor informed
Council that he attended the following on behalf of the Mayor: ·
50th Anniversary of Ragdale Hall. ·
The Lion’s 49th Charter Lunch. ·
Judging of the Puppy Show at Belvoir Castle. ·
Keep Melton Active Weekend. |
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LEADER'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: In
beginning his speech, the Leader gave way to the Deputy Leader. The Deputy
Leader then paid tribute to Jean Forbes of the Friends of Melton Country Park
who had recently died. The
Leader thanked the Deputy Leader for her tribute. The
Leader informed Council that there had been a request from Jillian Milner to
return the Millenium Quilt to public display and that work was underway to
place it on public display in Parkside. Members
were informed that on 26 May, the Council along with the Department for Work
and Pensions hosted a successful recruitment day, where 140 people attended, 19
job applications were completed and five on the spot job offers were made. The
Leader informed Council that the Let’s Get Moving Melton day was held in early
July where over a thousand people participated with 40 different opportunities
to try different sports and physical activities. Members
were informed that the Leader joined the Mayor at the annual Armed Services Day
in June. The Leader then listed the following events for the diary:
The
Leader then outlined the events and meetings he had attended:
The
Leader also stated that he has responded to the East Midland Railways
consultation on the proposed ticket office closure. Members were reminded that it had only been two months since the Annual Meeting and that it had been an intense and hectic time for both Councillors and staff. The Leader thanked everyone for their efforts at a time of adjustment and preparation for the future. The Leader reminded Members that the new administration would take time to analyse and ... view the full minutes text for item CO17 |
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PUBLIC QUESTION TIME 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. Minutes: No questions from the public had been received. |
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QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS 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. Two questions have
been received. Minutes: There
were two questions received. The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Malise Graham asked
the following question: “The Leader was quite rightly proud to represent our Council
at a recent award ceremony to acknowledge the achievements of the past Council.
The mantra of the current Leader is a requirement for change. Can the Leader
please advise the Council, what this means and what changes he envisages?” In responding to the question, the Leader stated that the
change he is committed to make the Council more open and involve more Members
before decisions are made. The Leader added that a change of direction regarding some
projects, e.g. GP Surgery and the swimming pool, were required due to the
funding position local government finds itself in. However, the Leader stated
that the change of direction would benefit the community in the long run. Leader of the Opposition asked the following supplementary
question. “Does the Leader realise that as a group we're unable to
blindly support uncosted ideas and aspirations as they occur and it is unfair
to ask us to do.” In responding to the question, the Leader stated that he
agreed that projects have to be fully costed before implementation. That is why
the doctor’s surgery proposal is being reviewed. The Leader acknowledged the
proposal was reasonable at the outset but now recognises that it is not
financially viable. The Leader also stated that approved existing budgets can be
reallocated. The Council had also been awarded various grants and that money
was being utilised. Councillor Ronan Browne asked the following question: During the election campaign a number of Labour and
Independent candidates stood on a platform of stating that you would both
change the Levelling up Fund monies that had been secured by the previous
administration and monies would be moved to be more town centre focused
(although the cattle market and theatre are part of the town centre). A number of candidates in both groups commented on Facebook
at various times that they felt the cattle market investment was not something
they could support, and monies should be spent in the town centre. Can you let the Council know what you are planning to change
as per comments and commitments made to the public, businesses and can you
confirm if you will be investigating investment in the cattle market as
commented by some candidates during the May 2023 election campaign? In responding to the question, the Leader stated that the
main issue he had with the Levelling Up Fund was the process whereby civil
servants located in Whitehall are making decisions impacting localities before
funds are released. In addressing the comments of whether monies would be taken out of the cattle market (Stockyard) investment, the Leader stated that the LUF funding was secured for a specific project and central government had imposed restrictions on how the monies were spent which would of course be complied with, but that the administration would ensure that the project works for the ... view the full minutes text for item CO19 |
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MOTIONS ON NOTICE 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. The following motion was received from Councillor Allnatt (Seconded by Councillor Graham). Abuse and personal attacks on elected members is unacceptable and there is evidence that these experiences are forcing good councillors out of local politics and deterring others from running for election. Abuse and unfair criticism of officers fulfilling their duties on behalf of the council is equally unacceptable. In 2022, the LGA found that seven out of 10 councillors had experienced abuse from the public in the previous year. Further research by the LGA in 2022 reinforced concerns that abuse in public life and public discourse is becoming normalised and seriously impacting civic life and local democracy. The LGA has been working for some time to build a better understanding of the issue of abuse and intimidation of elected members and what individuals, local organisations and national government can do to reverse this trend. Their Debate Not Hate campaign aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities, encourage healthy debate and respectful challenge, and improve the responses and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation. I request that Members join me in supporting the
following motion: That Melton Borough Council joins
Councils across the country in supporting the Local Government Association’s
Debate Not Hate campaign. In so doing, the Council is setting a clear and
positive expectation regarding acceptable behaviour, both within the Council,
but also from members of the Community, and wishes to make clear that abuse of
Members or Officers, in any form, and directed to any person, is not
acceptable. Minutes: The following motion was
received from the Leader (Seconded by the Leader of the Opposition). The following motion was
received from Councillor Allnatt (Seconded by Councillor Graham). Abuse and personal attacks
on elected members is unacceptable and there is evidence that these experiences
are forcing good councillors out of local politics and deterring others from
running for election. Abuse and unfair criticism of officers fulfilling their
duties on behalf of the council is equally unacceptable. In 2022, the LGA found that
seven out of 10 councillors had experienced abuse from the public in the
previous year. Further research by the LGA in 2022 reinforced concerns that
abuse in public life and public discourse is becoming normalised and seriously
impacting civic life and local democracy. The LGA has been working for
some time to build a better understanding of the issue of abuse and
intimidation of elected members and what individuals, local organisations and
national government can do to reverse this trend. Their Debate Not Hate campaign
aims to raise public awareness of the role of councillors in their communities,
encourage healthy debate and respectful challenge, and improve the responses
and support for local politicians facing abuse and intimidation. I request that Members join
me in supporting the following motion: That Melton Borough Council
joins Councils across the country in supporting the Local Government
Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign. In so doing, the Council is setting a
clear and positive expectation regarding acceptable behaviour, both within the Council,
but also from members of the Community, and wishes to make clear that abuse of
Members or Officers, in any form, and directed to any person, is not
acceptable. During the debate the
following points were raised:
In pursuant of the General
Procedure Rule 17.5b, Councillors Browne, Higgins and J Orson requested that a
recorded vote takes place. RESOLVED Council Has joined Councils across
the country in supporting the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate
campaign. In so doing, the Council is setting a clear and positive expectation
regarding acceptable behaviour, both within the Council, but also from members
of the Community, and wishes to make clear that abuse of Members or Officers,
in any form, and directed to any person, is not acceptable. FOR THE MOTION (27) Adcock, Allnatt, I Atherton,
S Atherton, Brown, Browne, Butcher, Carter, Child, Cliff, Cox, Cumbers, Evans,
Freer, Glancy, Gordon, Graham, Hewson, Higgins, Lumley, Mason, J Orson, S
Orson, Pritchett, Sharp, Thwaites, Webster. AGAINST THE MOTION (0) ABSTAINING FROM THE MOTION
(0) |
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To receive a report from the
Cabinet on recommendations referred to the Council in relation to Treasury
Management and Actual Prudential Indicators 2022/23. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources introduced the Treasury Management and Actual Prudential Indicators 2022/23 report and moved the recommendations. The Leader seconded the motion. In response to the question on whether the Council is looking to move investments into short dated government guilts, the Portfolio Holder stated that she would raise the suggestion with Officers who would then advise. RESOLVED Council (1) APPROVED
the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2022/23. (2) NOTED
the actual position on Prudential Indicators for 2022/23. (Unanimous) |
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RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES - SCRUTINY ANNUAL REPORT 2022/23 PDF 169 KB To receive the Scrutiny Annual Report 2022/23 from the Scrutiny Committee. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Child introduced the Scrutiny Annual Report 2022/23 and proposed that Council notes the report. The Scrutiny Committee Chairman, Councillor Mike Brown, seconded the motion. RESOLVED Council (1) NOTED
the Scrutiny Annual Report 2022/23. |
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INQUORATE PARISH COUNCIL PDF 187 KB The Monitoring Officer is to present the Inquorate Parish Council report. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Deputy Monitoring Officer introduced the Inquorate
Parish Council report. The Leader moved the recommendations and the Deputy Leader
seconded the motion. RESOLVED Council (1) APPROVED
the Order attached at Appendix A, to appoint temporary Parish Councillors to
Garthorpe and Coston Parish Council, so that the Parish Council is quorate and
can continue to operate; (2) DELEGATED
authority to the Returning Officer, in consultation with the relevant Ward
Member(s) and Parish Clerk, to make such orders under Section 91 of the Local
Government Act 1972, should a similar situation arise in future in respect of
any Parish Council in the Borough area; (3) AUTHORISED
the Monitoring Officer to make the relevant updates to the Scheme of
Delegation, subject to approval of the delegation at 2 above; and (4) ADOPTED
the procedure set out at Appendix B which shall be used by the Returning
Officer when exercising the delegation set out above. (Unanimous) |
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOUNDARY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND - ELECTORAL REVIEW PDF 216 KB The Chief Executive is to present the Local Government Boundary Commission for England – Electoral Review. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chief Executive introduced the Local Government Boundary
Commission for England Electoral Review. The Leader moved the recommendations and the Deputy Leader
seconded the motion. RESOLVED Council (1) NOTED
the next steps and timetable for the Local Government Boundary Commission for
England Electoral Review of Melton Borough Council as set out in the report and
Appendix A. (2) NOTED
the Constitution Review Working Group (as the appropriate Cross Party Working Group) will develop the Council’s
submissions in relation to the review, such submissions to be approved by
Council before being formally provided to the LGBCE. |
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CORPORATE STRATEGY 2024-2028 PDF 199 KB The Leader of the Council is to present a report on the Corporate Strategy 2024-2028. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Leader introduced the Corporate Strategy 2024-2028 report and moved the recommendations. The Deputy Leader seconded the motion. RESOLVED Council (1) NOTED
the process/timeline to produce the new Corporate Strategy 2024 - 2028. (2) NOTED
the terms of reference for the Member Policy Development Working Groups. (3) NOTED
and endorses the setting up of a governance review to consider the most
effective decision-making structure and arrangements for the Council. (4) APPROVED
the commissioning of the Constitutional Review Working Group to oversee and
support the governance review and agrees
to the amendment to the terms of reference for the Constitution Review Working
Group to increase the membership from 5 to 7 members. (Unanimous) |