Venue: Mary's Place, Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, LE13 1AE
Contact: Democratic Services
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor Evans. |
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To confirm the Minutes of the
meeting held on 22 February 2024. Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on
22 February 2024 were confirmed. (For 23, Against 0, Abstentions 3) Councillor Browne questioned why
there was no report from the Melton Safer Community Partnership, which was
agreed at the Council meeting on 14 December 2023. In response it was confirmed
that there was no report due to change in Chair of the Partnership and the
report will be presented on 25 July 2024. |
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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 relate to the
Leicestershire County Council. Cllr Browne declared a personal and pecuniary interest in item 10, protected characteristics for care leavers, due to his employer working with Leicestershire County Council to provide housing solutions for care leavers in Leicestershire. He is leading this work for his employer and therefore stated that he would not participate in the item. |
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MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor will make his announcements. Following his announcements, the Mayor will invite representatives from the Melton and District Money Advice Centre (MADMAC) to provide a presentation on the work of the organisation. Minutes: In making his announcements, the Mayor informed Council
that, as Mayor, he had attended the following events:
The Deputy Mayor informed Council that he had attended the
following events on behalf of the Mayor:
The Mayor informed Members that a presentation from Melton
and District Money Advice Centre was scheduled to take place at the meeting,
however it now wouldn’t take place and will be rescheduled. The Mayor recognised that Malise Graham has resigned as
Melton Borough Councillor after 37 years on the Council and paid tribute to
him. The Mayor invited Members to comment.
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LEADER'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: The Leader began his
announcements by noting that Malise Graham has resigned as a Melton Borough
Councillor after 37 years on the Council. The Leader paid tribute to Mr Graham
and thanked him for his long service. The Leader thanked the Mayor
and noted that it was his final full Council meeting that he would be presiding
over. The Leader noted that the Mayor has served for two terms as Mayor, as
well another term as Deputy Mayor. The Leader recognised the sacrifices the
Mayor and his Mayoress have done and thanked them for serving both terms. The Leader recognised that
the current Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tim Webster would become Mayor at Annual
Council and that he would get his full support. He also confirmed his
undertaking given to Mr Graham to support Councillor Siggy Atherton becoming Deputy
Mayor. The Leader recognised Councillor Atherton’s long-established voluntary
community work and fully participative role as a councillor. The Leader congratulated
Councillor Browne on becoming the Leader of the Conservative Group and
Councillor Child on becoming the Group’s Deputy Leader. The Leader raised a number
of points that the Constitution Review Working Group could review. -
Purpose of Opposition The
Leader noted that there is a Special Responsibility Allowance for the Leader of
the Opposition, however the Constitution did not state what the purpose of the
opposition is. -
Ward Member notification for speaking at Planning Committee Recently,
the Leader and Councillor Browne moved to suspend a procedure rule within the
Constitution to enable Councillor Chris Evans to speak on an application
affecting his and Councillor Simon Orson’s ward. The Leader believes in
altering the notice period for Ward Members from days to before the
commencement of the meeting. -
Questions at Leader’s Announcements The
Leader noted that some Conservative Group Members believe there should be an
opportunity to question and discuss the Leader’s Announcements at Council. The
Leader stated that he could propose a motion in order to facilitate this,
however he had been advised that this might not be permitted by the
Constitution. -
Committee Membership Recalculations The
Leader stated that Committee memberships are recalculated by the arrival of a
new Member of a change of party allegiance by existing Members and not by a
resignation. In addressing the issue of
the Doctor’s Surgery at Parkside, the Leader stated that good progress is being
made. -
New layout of reception The
reception is to be reconfigured in order to make the area more welcoming and
efficient. -
Better lift arrangements It
is planned for new and more accessible lift arrangements. -
Members’ Areas The
Leader stated that Members would have to make sacrifices too. The Leader’s
Office, Members’ Room and Mayor’s Parlour could be replaced by multi-purpose
private working areas -
Reduced office space The
reduced office space would require Members and Officers to maintain hybrid
working and hot desking. In addressing the progress of the UKSPF, the Leader stated that a Local Area Board and grant awards procedure had been ... view the full minutes text for item CO80 |
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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 have been received
at the time of publication. Deadline for questions –
Thursday 11 April 2024, 12pm Minutes: No questions from the public were 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. No questions have
been received at the time of publication. Deadline for
questions – Thursday 11 April 2024 Minutes: No questions from Members were received. |
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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, Leader (Seconded by Councillor Glancy, Deputy Leader). Support for funding the MMDR In October 2023, due to escalating costs, Leicestershire
County Council confirmed that while they remained committed to our Local Plan,
they were no longer in a position to fund the southern
section of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR South) at this time. Since
then, we have been working with the County Council and development partners to
explore alternative approaches to funding delivery. In March 2024, the government announced that Leicestershire
County Council had been awarded £238m from the Local Transport Fund, which will
be made available over a seven year period from
2025/26. Following this announcement, the Leader of Melton Borough Council
wrote to the Leader of the County Council seeking his support for allocating
some of this funding to enable the MMDR South to progress. The request has been
acknowledged, but further guidance on the amount and profile of the funding
allocations is still awaited, and on this basis the County Council have
confirmed it is not yet possible to prioritise any schemes. Accordingly, the following motion is proposed: Melton Borough Council thanks Leicestershire County
Council for their continued support to our Local Plan and reaffirms our
commitment to support them in securing the necessary funding to deliver the
required infrastructure in Melton. Furthermore, given the critical importance
of the MMDR South to our Local Plan, and the amount of work already undertaken,
Melton Borough Council reiterates its request that when the allocations are
confirmed, the County Council prioritises funding to enable this critical
infrastructure to be delivered. Minutes: The following motion was received from Councillor Allnatt
(Seconded by Councillor Glancy). In October 2023, due to escalating costs, Leicestershire
County Council confirmed that while they remained committed to our Local Plan,
they were no longer in a position to fund the southern section of the Melton
Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR South) at this time. Since then, we have been
working with the County Council and development partners to explore alternative
approaches to funding delivery. In March 2024, the government announced that
Leicestershire County Council had been awarded £238m from the Local Transport
Fund, which will be made available over a seven year period from 2025/26.
Following this announcement, the Leader of Melton Borough Council wrote to the
Leader of the County Council seeking his support for allocating some of this
funding to enable the MMDR South to progress. The request has been
acknowledged, but further guidance on the amount and profile of the funding
allocations is still awaited, and on this basis the County Council have
confirmed it is not yet possible to prioritise any schemes. Accordingly, the following motion is proposed: Melton Borough Council thanks Leicestershire County
Council for their continued support to our Local Plan and reaffirms our
commitment to support them in securing the necessary funding to deliver the
required infrastructure in Melton. Furthermore, given the critical importance
of the MMDR South to our Local Plan, and the amount of work already undertaken,
Melton Borough Council reiterates its request that when the allocations are
confirmed, the County Council prioritises funding to enable this critical infrastructure
to be delivered. During the debate Councillor Browne stated that the motion
had the full support of the Conservative Group. RESOLVED Melton
Borough Council thanked Leicestershire County Council for their continued
support to our Local Plan and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to support
them in securing the necessary funding to deliver the required infrastructure
in Melton. Furthermore, given the critical importance of the MMDR South to the
Council’s Local Plan, and the amount of work already undertaken, Melton Borough
Council reiterated its request that when the allocations are confirmed, the
County Council prioritises funding to enable this critical infrastructure to be
delivered. (Unanimous) |
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EQUALITY SCHEME & ANNUAL REPORT PDF 216 KB The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Health and Well-being is to provide the Equality Scheme and Annual Report. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Health and Well-being,
Councillor Cumbers, introduced the report and moved the recommendation.
Councillor Cox seconded the motion. During the debate, the following points were made:
RESOLVED That Council (1) Noted the
progress made in meeting the Council’s equalities duties and commitments as
outlined in this report. (2) Approved the
revised objectives and action plan (2024-2028) to demonstrate the Council’s
continued commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I). (3) Noted that a
planned review of the Equality Policy will take place in 2024/25 and that this
will incorporate both inward and outward facing commitments to ED&I,
alongside the revised equality objectives and action plan. (Unanimous) At 7:26pm, upon the conclusion of this item, Councillor Browne left the
meeting and did not return. |
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PROTECTED CHARACTERISTIC FOR CARE LEAVERS PDF 194 KB The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Health and Well-being is to provide a report on the protected characteristic for care leavers. Additional documents: Minutes: The Portfolio Holder for Communities, Health and Well-being,
Councillor Cumbers, introduced the report and moved the recommendation.
Councillor Cliff seconded the motion. During the opening remarks, it was noted that 39% of care
leavers between the ages of 19 and 21 are not in either employment, education
or training and that 30% are homeless, therefore proving that this is an issue
that needs addressing. During the debate, the following points were made:
RESOLVED That Council Approved that
Melton Borough Council treat Care Leavers / Care Experience as a Protected
Characteristic. (For 24, Against 0, Abstentions 1) |