Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Evans, Freer, Hewson, J Orson and Pritchett.

To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 May 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2024 were confirmed.

(For 21, Against 0, Abstentions 1)

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

Councillor Cox declared an interest in Minute Item CO24 (Safer Melton Partnership), as the charity she works for is mentioned. She stressed that she doesn’t receive any financial interest, but she is mentioning it as it is referenced in the report.

The Mayor will make his announcements.

Following the Mayor’s announcements, the Mayor will lead the recognition of Malise Graham’s 37 year service to Melton Borough Council.

Following the recognition of Malise Graham, the Mayor will invite the Strategic Lead for Healthy and Active Communities to provide a 10 minute presentation on the renovated leisure facilities.

The Mayor provided Members with an update on events he has attended since the last Council meeting. The full list of events are outlined below.

The Deputy Mayor then outlined the events she had attended since the last Council meeting. The full list of events are outlined below.

Recognition of Malise Graham

Malise Graham was a Councillor at Melton Borough Council between 1987 and 2024. The Mayor began the recognition of Malise by providing his own tribute. The Mayor thanked Malise for the help and support he has provided since he has been a Councillor and he was there when he was elected. The Mayor explained that he had know Malise for many years and 20 years ago the Mayor oversaw an auction for one of Malise’s charities. The Mayor thanked Malise for being a mentor.

This was followed by tributes from the Leader, Councillor Allnatt, who explained that they had not known each other very long but the measure of the man was obvious, as Malise is, without any false affection, an individual of deep personal integrity with desire to help people. The Leader also thanked Malise’s wife, Pam, who has provided Malise with support throughout the years.

Councillor Browne who, on behalf of Conservative Group, thanked Malise for his years of service. He recalled that he had originally met Malise in 2002 and remembered that Malise took Council through two  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO15

The Leader began his announcements by thanking the previous Member of Parliament (MP), Alicia Kearns, who has moved on to become MP for Rutland and Stamford. He welcomed the new MP for Melton and Syston, Edward Argar.

The Leader welcomed the new interim Director for Growth and Regeneration, Caroline Bruce and the new Waste and Environmental Services Manager, Ryan Finnegan who is due to start in September.

Members were informed that the Council have submitted its productivity plan and it awaits the new Government’s response.

The Leader thanked the Lions Club and Councillor Cox in bringing back the allotments into use. The allotments have had under-used plots and a long waiting list. The Leader outlined the benefits of using allotments including providing opportunities for increased health and mental wellbeing.

Planning Officers were thanked for the recent training and discussion session and for their efforts in improving reporting and analysis.

The Leader informed Members that the Housing Regulatory Inspection has been completed and that the judgement has been embargoed until August, at which point all Members and the public would be able to read it.

Council was informed that on 18 July, the Safer Melton Partnership unveiled the skate park graffiti art to the public, with the aim of creating a more vibrant and inviting space for young people and park users. The design was chosen after a competition was run between February and April, with a judging panel in May selecting the winner.

The Leader informed Council that since the General Election, he had been busy attending meetings of Councillors through the Local Government Association, meeting Ministers and writing to Ministers on a variety of issues that affect the Borough of Melton.

Members were informed that 2023/24 see the Council Chair meetings of the Leicestershire District Council Leaders. This provides the Council with an opportunity to steer the discussion and agenda on issues of mutual interest.

The Leader informed Members that August will see the first meetings of the Rural Area Liaison Forms. The North meeting would take place at Long Clawson on 5 August and the South meeting will take place at Edmondthorpe on 12 August. An issue which would be discussed is flooding. The Leader announced that Cabinet would be considering a year-on-year funding for modest programmes of flood resilience working in partnership with the Parishes.

The Leader informed Council that the Cabinet would be considering increasing car parking charges in the town of Melton. The last Cabinet decision on car parking charges was January 2020 and since then inflation has been approximately 30%. At the current rate of inflation, the cost of running and maintaining existing car parks may eventually outstrip revenue and would become a burden on the general fund. The Leader assured Members that a balance would be struck but that charge might have to be increased.

The Leader outlined the Levelling Up Fund and reminded Members of the £1.9m which had been allocated to theatre enhancements. Due to the Further Education Commissioner intervention  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO16

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 18 July, 12pm

No questions from the public were received.

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

Seven questions have been received at the time of publication. All confirmed questions will be circulated after the deadline.

Deadline for questions – Thursday 18 July

Seven questions from Members had been received and they were taken in the order that they were received.

Question 1

Councillor Lumley asked the Leader the following question:

I support Councillor Helen Cliff’s past campaign to try to save Melton Hospital’s Birthing Unit which has a continued very high satisfaction score from users. The Health Commissioning Group recently announced the good news that its use would be extended. Can the Leader meet with the Commissioning Group’s officials, and request:

a)    that the Birthing Unit does not close at all? And

b)    request an Urgent Health Care Centre, on this under-utilised Melton Hospital site for our growing population?

In responding to the questions, the Leader stated that yes he can meet with the Commissioning Group officials, however he added that he has to make sure he is speaking to the right people. The Leader confirmed that he had already raised it in discussions elsewhere.

Councillor Lumley did not opt to ask a supplementary question.

Question 2

Councillor Lumley asked the Leader the following question:

The newly elected Labour Government has announced that it will lift the ban on onshore wind farms. These can be heavily supported by fossil fuels, the materials used for solar panels and wind turbines can be very un-environmentally friendly and components may not be recyclable after their lifespan, meaning they will have to go into landfill.

Wind turbines can be detrimental to the visual amenity of their surroundings, cause noise pollution to local residents, and can accidentally kill birds and other wildlife. They can also reduce key farming land, leading to less food crops, which could impact on the country’s food security. An ‘environmentalism’ or nature, such as planting trees, versus Net Zero approach, is best.

Therefore, do you agree that the Local Plan Working Group and Climate Change Working Groups should urgently review the implications arising from these recent announcements on our own planning and climate change policies and the approach to these forms of development?

In responding, the Leader stated that he did not agree with the preamble, however on the substantive point, he has a planned meeting with an expert in Leicestershire and would raise the points then. The Leader added that it is always good to review policies when there is a change of Government but that he would be guided by colleagues and Officers on how quickly this should take place.

Councillor Lumley did not opt to ask a supplementary question.

Question 3

Councillor Chubb asked the Leader the following question:

In light of the cabinet’s decision to reallocate (subject to Government sign off) the LUF monies form Brooksby Melton College Theatre to the Melton Mowbray Cattle Market can you confirm that the necessary robust due diligence tests, that should include viability, demand, customer footfall and risks assessments have been undertaken?

In responding, the Leader stated that there had already been due diligence, as the previous administration had allocated the site. The action regarding the college is out of the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO18

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 J Orson (Seconded by Councillor Browne).

Leicestershire County Council’s Children and Family Services Ofsted Rating

It is proposed that Melton Borough Council congratulates Leicestershire County Council’s Children and Family Services on their recent Ofsted Report, having received the rating of Outstanding. It is testament to Lead Member Councillor Deborah Taylor together with Children and Family Services staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the benefit of children across the Borough of Melton and Leicestershire.

The following motion was received from Councillor R Browne (Seconded by Councillor S Orson).

Leicestershire County Council’s Children and Family Services Ofsted Rating

The following motion was proposed:

Melton Borough Council congratulates Leicestershire County Council’s Children and Family Services on their recent Ofsted Report, having the rating of Outstanding. It is a testament to the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the benefit of children across the county, especially care leavers.

Cllr Browne congratulated all the staff particularly in the current climate.

Councillor Allnatt proposed that following be added to the motion (Seconded by Councillor Thwaites)

This has been achieved at a time when the real value of local government funding has been cut severely, sure start abolished; with child poverty, rents and abuse at record highs and youth services decimated and food banks common place.

The staff are under constant pressure, but they are not complacent. Well done to all of them with our sincere thanks.

Councillor Browne confirm that he was content to accept the amendment into the substantive motion and therefore the motion became:

Melton Borough Council congratulates Leicestershire County Council’s Children and Family Services on their recent Ofsted Report, having the rating of Outstanding. It is a testament to the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the benefit of children across the county, especially care leavers.

This has been achieved at a time when the real value of local government funding has been cut severely, sure start abolished; with child poverty, rents and abuse at record highs and youth services decimated and food banks common place.

The staff are under constant pressure, but they are not complacent. Well done to all of them with our sincere thanks.

During the debate the following comments were made:

• It was recognised what the service has achieved.
• A Member commented that the service was going in the right direction for several years.

RESOLVED

Melton Borough Council congratulates Leicestershire County Council’s Children and Family Services on their recent Ofsted Report, having the rating of Outstanding. It is a testament to the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the benefit of children across the county, especially care leavers.

This has been achieved at a time when the real value of local government funding has been cut severely, sure start abolished; with child poverty, rents and abuse at record highs and youth services decimated and food banks common place.

The staff are under constant pressure, but they are not complacent. Well done to all of them with our sincere thanks.

(Unanimous)

To receive a report from the Cabinet on recommendations referred to Council in relation to the Treasury Management Annual Report 2023/24.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources, Councillor Cox, introduced the report and moved the recommendation. Councillor Allnatt seconded the motion.

No comments were made during the debate.

RESOLVED

Council

Approved the Treasury Management Annual Report 2023/24 as outlined at Appendix A.

(Unanimous)

At 8:34pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Higgins entered the meeting.

To receive the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 from the Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Brown, introduced the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 and proposed that Council notes the report. The Vice Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Thwaites, seconded the motion.

In introducing the report, the Chair of Scrutiny Committee thanked all Officers who have supported the Committee during the Municipal Year, including the Council’s Scrutiny Officer, Adam Green.

During the debate, the following comments were made:

• The Leader thanked the whole of the Scrutiny Committee. He added that the outcomes from housing support review had been substantially improved by the input from Scrutiny and he hoped there would be similar activity, with Scrutiny reviewing specific topics in smaller groups, during this Municipal Year.

RESOLVED

Council

NOTED the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24.

At 8:37pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Child left the meeting and did not return.

To receive the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2023/24 from the Audit and Standards Committee.

The Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee, Councillor Higgins, introduced the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2023/24 and proposed that Council notes the report. The Vice Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee, Councillor Mason, seconded the motion.

In introducing the report, the Chair of Audit and Standards Committee thanked Officers including: the Section 151 Officer, Dawn Garton; the Chief Internal Auditor, Rachel Ashley-Caunt; the previous Monitoring Officer, Alison McKane; the current Monitoring Officer, Clive Tobin; and the Senior Democratic Services and Scrutiny Officer, Adam Green and his team. He also thanked the Members and in particular Vice Chair, Councillor Mason.

No comments were made during the debate.

RESOLVED

Council

NOTED the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2023/24.

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

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report. The Leader moved the recommendations and the Deputy Leader seconded the motion.

No comments were made during the debate.

RESOLVED

Council

(1)  Approved the political balance calculation at paragraphs 5.2.1 – 5.2.3 of the report;

(2)  Approved the allocation of seats on the Committees as set out in paragraph 5.3.1 of the report and Working Groups as set out in paragraph 5.4.1 of the report;

(3)  Received nominations and made appointments to Committees and Working Groups as notified by the Group Leaders and set out in Appendices A and B, and;

(4)  Appointed non-aligned Members to their allocation of seats on Committees and Working Groups as set out in Appendices A and B.

(Unanimous)

To receive a report from the Safer Melton Partnership on town centre retail crime.

The Chair of Safer Melton Partnership, Councillor Cox, introduced the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 and proposed that Council notes the report. Councillor Butcher seconded the motion.

During the debate, the following comments were made:

·       A Member commented that this is a good news story as there had been progress since December. It is a testament to the Safer Melton Partnership, which has been established for 20 years, and the Police and Crime Commissioner, Rupert Matthews. Members may disagree on how we get there, but all Members want a safe environment.

·       The police were thanked for their work and that Members must not take actions for granted. Members were assured that the Melton Safer Partnership would continue to monitor trends.

·       The Leader thanked Councillors Butcher and Cox for their hard work on this.

·       A Member commented that the Council must stand by any shop keeper who is bullied or harassed.

RESOLVED

Council

NOTED the review and update from the Chair of the Safer Melton Partnership on actions to address retail crime within the town centre.