Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Glancy, Greenow, Hurrell, Lumley, Pearson, Posnett MBE and Sheldon.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2019.

Acceptance of the minutes as a true record was proposed by the Leader and seconded by the Deputy Leader.  Following a vote the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2019 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the Mayor.

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

Councillors Orson and Rhodes each declared a personal interest in any matter relating to the Leicestershire County Council due to their roles as County Councillors.

Councillor Orson declared a further personal interest in Minute CO85, Council Tax 2019/20 specifically in relation to the meeting of the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police & Crime (PCC) Panel meeting on 1 February 2019 at which it was agreed to support the PCC’s proposal to set the Police precept.  Councillor Orson’s interest arose by virtue of chairing this meeting.

The Mayor

(a)  reported that since the last meeting she had attended the annual Melton Lions Seniors’ Concert at Melton Theatre. She commended the work put into the event by the Melton Lions which provided great entertainment for the Borough’s senior residents;

(b)  reported that her Charity Quiz on 22 February raised £540 for her chosen charities.  She expressed her thanks to Mr Richard Angrave who had organised the event and acted as Quiz Master;

(c)  reminded Members that nominations for her Mayor’s Awards could still be made before the closing date of 18 March;

(d)  advised that responses for the Civic Dinner on 8 March had now closed, with 103 guests attending.

The Leader stated that he had no further update since his report made to the 13 February 2019 meeting.

The Leader and Chairs of Policy Committees to answer any questions from the public of which notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 of the Constitution.

No questions were received by the deadline.

There were no public questions submitted for this meeting.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 24.1, the Chief Executive shall report the receipt of a petition to the next meeting of the Council where there shall be no debate or comment thereon.

No petitions were received. 

There were no petitions submitted to report.

Corporate Committee: 30 January 2019 – Minute C37: Corporate Enforcement Policy

RECOMMENDED: That the Corporate Enforcement Policy be approved and adopted.

The original report to the Corporate Committee meeting on 30 January 2019 can be found via this link

Corporate Committee : 30 January 2019 – Minute 37: Corporate Enforcement Policy

The Leader introduced and moved the recommendation as contained in the Order Paper to approve and adopt the Corporate Enforcement Policy.  In support of the motion, he advised that the Council had made an investment in taking action against inappropriate behaviour whether through environment enforcement, tenancy management or priority neighbours.  The policy had been supported by the new Legal Team and provided the framework for the Council to take appropriate action.

In seconding the motion, the Deputy Leader welcomed the adoption of this policy which he said would help the Council  address issues which were often the subject of concerns raised by residents on social media and in communications sent to ward members.

The motion was put to the vote and carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: To approve and adopt the Corporate Enforcement Policy.

In accordance with Procedure Rules 10.3 and 10.5, a Member may ask the Mayor, Leader or the Chairman of any committee or sub-committee, a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Melton Borough.

No questions were received by the deadline.

There were no questions from members received.

There were no Motions  received in accordance with Procedure Rule 11.1

There were no motions received.

The Director for Corporate Services to submit a report which enables the Council to calculate and set the Council Tax for 2019/20 as required under the Local Government Finance Act 1992. The Leicestershire County Council figures are subject to approval at their meeting on 20 February 2019.

The Leader presented the report prepared by the Director for Corporate Services, as circulated with the agenda, concerning the calculation and setting of the Council Tax for 2019/20, as required under the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

In proposing the recommendation set out in the Order Paper, the Leader

(a)  drew members’ attention to para 3.3 of the report concerning the Council’s own council tax requirements, which for a Band D property, equated to an increase of 11p per week in order to meet the budget requirement of £3,783,232;

(b)  highlighted the average increase of 3.65%  for a Band D property for the Parish Council precepts.  He expressed surprise that the figure was relatively small since the Council made the decision in 2017/18 that Parish Councils would be required to meet the cost of their by elections.  This decision had not been well received by a number of parish councils.  He also pointed out that Bottesford Parish Council had reduced its precept;

(c)  referred to the other major precepting authorities whose figures represented an average increase for the whole area of 4.7%.

The Deputy Leader seconded the motion and referred to his own parish council of Twyford and Thorpe whose precept had increased by 6.6%.  This was in the main required for the conversion to energy saving street lights. The parish council was working in partnership with the County Council on this project.  He also spoke on the continuing value for money offered by the Council in terms of the services it offered to its residents.

A member drew attention to an error in the paper on page 31 para 5.3 which stated the Leicestershire County Council increase included a figure of 3% social care levy.  The correct figure for the levy was 1%.  Another member commented on the small increase in the parish councils’ levy and presumed this was indicative of the fact that they were carrying forward a healthy reserve.  The Mayor commented on the adverse reaction she had experienced in her ward in relation to the increased Police precept.  Views had been expressed to her that there was no visible police presence in that part of the Borough.  The Leader responded to the Mayor’s point by explaining that in setting the precept the Leicestershire Police had followed Government guidance.  He assured members that a lot of police work was going on in the Borough tackling on line crime for example; the policing was there but was not always visible.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.5(b), a recorded vote was then taken:

The motion was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: To note the calculations and set the Council Tax for the year 2019/20 made in accordance with the regulations set out in the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Before formally closing the meeting, the Mayor

(a)  made a presentation of flowers to Mrs Shuttlewood, Democracy & Involvement Officer, as she would shortly be leaving the Council as a consequence of changes to the civic arrangements in 2019/20.  The Mayor thanked Mrs Shuttlewood for her support and guidance to date during the current term of office; and

(b)  referred to the fund raising aspect of the Civic Dinner during which Councillor Holmes explained to members that guests would be invited to pay £10 for an envelope which would contain a mystery prize – either a prize donated by a local business or a lottery scratch card.