Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Browne.

To confirm the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 September 2024.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2024 were confirmed.

(For 19, Against 0, Abstentions 7)

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

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.

Councillor Butcher declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to part of CO45 (Motion 3 on the item Motions on notice) and stated that she would withdraw from the meeting when the relevant part of the item is considered.

Councillor Chubb declared an other registerable interest in relation to part of CO45 (Motions 1 and 2 on the item Motions on notice), as his wife owns land.

Councillor Gordon declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to part of CO45 (Motion 3 on the item Motions on notice), as her brother is a business owner and stated that she would withdraw from the meeting when the relevant part of the item is considered.

Councillor Hewson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to part of CO45 (Motions 1 and 2 on the item Motions on notice) and stated that he would withdraw from the meeting when the relevant part of the item is considered.

Councillor Mason declared an other registerable interest in relation to part of CO45 (Motions 1 and 2 on the item Motions on notice).

Councillor J. Orson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to CO45 (Motions on notice) and stated that he would withdraw from the meeting when the item is considered.

Councillor S. Orson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to CO45 (Motions on notice) and stated that he would withdraw from the meeting when the item is considered.

Councillor Sharp declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to part of CO45 (Motions 1 and 2 on the item Motions on notice) and stated that he would withdraw from the meeting when the relevant part of the item is considered.

Councillor Webster declared an other registerable interest in relation to part of CO45 (Motions 1 and 2 on the item Motions on notice), as he is an auctioneer and has worked with farmers in the past.

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.

In making his announcements, the Leader informed Council that this week volunteers had been working on the Council’s flower beds. Their dedication has produced the excellent achievement of Melton in Bloom receiving the Gold Award for the first time, which occurred after the last Council meeting. This was a partnership effort between the Council’s environmental maintenance team and the brilliant volunteers and is a credit to all involved. 

Members were informed that the Cabinet received a presentation from the National Counter Terrorism expert on Martyn’s Law, also known as the ‘Protect Duty’ which proposes a piece of legislation in the UK aimed at enhancing security measures at public venues and spaces to prevent and mitigate the impact of potential terrorist attacks. The bill was introduced to Parliament in September and, if passed, aims to enforce a legal duty on owners and operators of Public Accessible Locations (PLA) to implement suitable and proportionate safety measures. This is directly relevant to the Council and a range of partners and locations across the Borough. The Cabinet believed it was informative and that all Members might wish to have a similar opportunity in the future. It was explained that this was not in response to any immediate threat but the belief in being prepared.

The Leader explained that the Council have had some good news on the Police and Crime front. The Borough of Melton is experiencing a lower incidence of incidents. Comparing April to September this year and last year reductions for: criminal damage, which is down 11.4% from 210 to 186; public disorder, which is down 16.9% from 213 to 177; drug offences, which is down 22% from 53 to 41 and arson offences, which is down 68% from 22 to 7.

Council was informed that Safer Communities Team and Housing Team works closely with local police officers where anti-social behaviour impacts community safety and wellbeing. The Leader reported that the Council’s teams, in partnership with police, had secured a closure order on a property following persistent anti-social behaviour, despite advice and efforts from the Council’s teams and partners to de-escalate. Securing a closure order requires evidence, effort, collaboration and professionalism and the Leader read out some feedback from a victim in this case, which shows the impact of this action:

“I would like to give a massive shout out to John Poole, he has made me feel so much better in the neighbourhood. Mayfield Street is so quiet now, like it used to be. It feels safe, it feels cleaner, everywhere is nicer and the whole street would like to thank John Poole for doing a great job with PC Shane Sanderson and Mrs Vanessa Leach. Thank you so much!”

The Leader took the opportunity to thank the teams for dealing with some very difficult and time consuming case work and his two colleagues, Councillors Sharon Butcher and Sarah Cox, for their relentless work on the ground as well as in meetings.

Council was informed that, after Christmas, the Leader would  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO42

Pursuant to the Constitution at Chapter 3, Part 1, Procedure Rule 12.1, the Leader, Councillor Allnatt, proposed that the order of the agenda is altered so that the agenda item Motions on Notice is considered before the agenda item Questions from Members. Councillor Glancy seconded the motion.

RESOLVED

Council approved that the agenda item Motions on Notice is considered before the agenda item Questions from Members.

(For 25, Against 0, Abstentions 1)

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

One question has been received at the time of publication. All confirmed questions will be circulated after the deadline.

Deadline for questions – Thursday 28 November, 12pm

One question had been received from Kelly Davies. In her absence the Mayor read out her question, which was as follows.

The Labour Government as part of the Renters Rights Bill will be banning no fault evictions for residential properties. Can councillors work together to lobby this national government to provide the same protection to small businesses who are also renting a building from a landlord much like a residential tenant would?

In responding, the Leader stated that business tenants with commercial leases operate under different circumstances to renters, who are often at risk of eviction from their home through no fault of their own. Individual circumstances vary for each business dependent on their lease agreements and business tenants are afforded considerable protection through commercial leases and the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954, where that applies. Through engagement with businesses, the Council would work with them if they need support.

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.

Three motions were received by the deadline.

Inheritance tax changes for family-run farms

The following motion was received from Councillor Allnatt (Seconded by Councillor Adcock).

Council notes the letter sent by the Leader to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and others concerning the announcements in the recent Budget concerning inheritance tax as it affects “family run” farms.

Council therefore urges the Government to implement fiscal changes in a more nuanced and selective way and to avoid unintended consequences for those who the Prime Minister described as the “backbone” of a nation that seeks to produce more food sustainably within the UK.

Impact of inheritance tax changes upon family farms

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

Council notes that:

·       The recent 2024 Autumn Budget change to Inheritance Tax relief announced by the Labour Government will introduce a Family Farm Tax and will have a detrimental impact on Family Farms and farmers’ ability to pass on their farms to the next generation of farmers.

Council believes that:

·       The Labour Government have committed a shameful betrayal and let down farmers by breaking their promise to not introduce a Family Farm Tax.

·       The Family Farm Tax will damage the ability of farmers to pass on their farms to their children.

·       Labour’s Family Farm Tax will threaten food security by forcing the sale of family farms.

·       The Labour Government’s Family Farm Tax will make British food production harder.

·       The Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed and Keir Starmer promised not to introduce a tax like this.

·       Numerous rural and farming organisations such as the National Farmers Union and Country Land and Business Association have warned that countless farms will be harmed, threatening food security and rural areas.

·       The comments made by Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed that already struggling farmers will have to ‘do more with less’ show distain for farmers and the sector.

·       At a time when many farmers in the Borough of Melton are struggling with soaring costs and energy prices, this sudden tax rise will damage the future of their farms.

Council resolves:

·       To request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to outline the Council’s dismay at this decision and calls on the Government to stop the Family Farm Tax.

·       That the Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, Growth & Prosperity engages with local farmers and community representatives on what support Council can do to support them.

·       That a list must be published of affected farms.

National Insurance Contribution Increases

The following motion was received from Councillor Child (Seconded by Councillor Browne).

Melton Borough Council notes with concern the recent increase in Employers National Insurance Contributions. This Council  ...  view the full agenda text for item CO45

In accordance with the Constitution, a Member may ask the Leader, 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.

Eighteen (18) questions have been received at the time of publication. All confirmed questions will be circulated after the deadline.

Deadline for questions – Thursday 28 November

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

Councillor Cliff raised a point of order in relation to the 20-minute time limit for questions from Members. In response, the Monitoring Officer stated that the 20-minute time limit is a Constitutional requirement which seeks to ensure that Council meetings take place in an orderly way and that all parts of Council business have sufficient time devoted to them.

Question 1

Councillor Carter asked the Leader the following question.

During the election and discussion between the Independent and Labour groups, there were promises to change the Cabinet system and to make the process more open and productive. By the time we reach the next full Council meeting, it will be two years from those discussions. Can the Leader please give me an update on the progress of this.

In response, the Leader stated that last year the administration made a commitment to establish a more inclusive and collaborative Council, and invited the LGA to support the review. Earlier this year, Members discussed the outcome of that process at an all Member workshop, where the value of the approach taken was recognised by Members across the Council. It was agreed that the approach should be formalised within the Constitution. That work has continued over the summer, alongside other important workstreams like administering the General Election, and the Boundary Commission Review. The Leader stated that the work is now nearing completion and the Constitutional Review Working Group would shortly be considering the final proposal. This would ensure the Council maintains a clear and accountable governance, and a strengthen scrutiny function, whilst formalising the more inclusive approach Members want to see. 

Councillor Carter opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the Leader had the changes produced any benefits and had they saved any money.

In response, the Leader stated that more Members had been involved with the decision-making process and good policy had been formed. Money had been saved in respect to special responsibility allowances, as since the administration took office in May 2023, there have only been five members of the Cabinet and previously there were six.

Question 2

Councillor Thwaites asked the Leader the following question.

In November the Cabinet agreed a series of changes, including price increases, to the Melton Borough Council controlled car parking within the Borough. Can the Leader please explain what these changes are exactly, why were they necessary and what was considered to reduce the impact on both those who work or visit, and need to use the car parks?

In response, the Leader stated that following a period of five years where car parking charges did not rise, in November Cabinet agreed to a below inflation increase, as part of its regular review of fees and charges. These increases are necessary to maintain our car parks, the enforcement service and other related issues. The alternative would have been to reduce other services to subsidise the parking  ...  view the full minutes text for item CO46

To receive a report from the Cabinet on recommendations referred to Council in relation to the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2024/25.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources, Councillor Cox, presented the Cabinet recommendations to Council on the Treasury Management Mid-Year report for 2024/25 and moved the recommendations. The Leader, Councillor Allnatt, seconded the motion.

Members did not have any comments on the report.

RESOLVED

Council

(1)  Noted the mid-year position on treasury activity for 2024/25 and

(2)  Noted the mid-year position on Prudential Indicators for 2024/25.

To consider a report on the Gambling Act 2005, Statement of Principles 2025-2028.

The Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services, Councillor Glancy, presented a report on the Gambling Act 2025, Statement of Principles 2025-2028 and moved the recommendations. The Chair of the Licensing Committees, Councillor Carter, seconded the motion.

Members did not have any comments on the report or the Statement of Principles.

RESOLVED

Council

Approved the Gambling Act Statement of Principles 2025 – 2028, following public consultation between 29 August and 26 September 2024.

(For 25, Against 0, Abstentions 1)

Pursuant to the Constitution, Chapter 3, Part 1, Procedure Rule 17.6, Councillor Gordon wished that her vote to abstain be recorded.