Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Higgins.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 June 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 07 June 2017 were confirmed and authorised to be signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillor Rhodes and Councillor Orson declared a personal interest in any matters relating to Leicestershire County Council.

There were no recommendations from other committees.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods to submit an update on

Decisions report.

The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods submitted an update on decisions report.

A Member enquired as to whether their membership of both this Committee and the Governance Committee would be a issue in regards to item 2 of the update ‘Name of Committee’ to which the Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods advised it would not.

A Member wanted clarification as to when item 4 of the update ‘Melton Town Centre Audit report’ will be brought back, The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noted this would be brought to the November meeting of this Committee.

RESOLVED that the Update on Decisions document be noted.

The Corporate Director to submit a report to provide information on the various fees and charges that are made by this committee and to recommend changes to these charges to operate from 1st April 2018.

The Corporate Director submitted a report to provide information on the various fees and charges that are made by this committee and to recommend changes to these charges to operate from 1st April 2018.

The Corporate Director presented a brief overview of the report, making note that specific details on 3.8- 3.10 of the report will be brought to this and other Committees in future reports.

A Member noted in regards to 3.11.1 of the report ‘Pest Control’ that it may be a disinvestment for the future, The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods noted that it would provide needed capacity in this environmental service but we would still have opportunities and will still deliver a service to MBC properties and services. It was also noted that this will be brought back to this committee  in further detail in an Exempt report.

Members enquired as to what the ‘Bulky’ waste management was, the Corporate Director noted that this is a service in which customers can ring up MBC to book and arrange collection of large waste items. However the current issue is that customers will ring to book collection and pay the fee, customers will then ring back to cancel and require a refund.  This creates lots of extra work and the council feels like this admin cost should be covered; a policy for not providing full  refunds for late cancelations could be implemented.

The Chair moved that the recommendation be approved. All Members were in favour.

RESOLVED  that the level of charges for 2018-19 for each of the services as recommended and set out in the reports attached to operate from 1st April 2018 be approved.

The Corporate Director to submit a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 31 July 2017.

The Corporate Director submitted a report to update the Committee on the progress of schemes within the Capital Programme to 31 July 2017.

The Corporate Director presented an overview of the report brining Members attention to;

•5.2 Snow Hill Industrial Units Roofing Works: Noting the roofing issues have been investigated and it has been determined that the frequency of the incidents of the problem is not sufficient to justify high cost remedial works. The budget can therefore be removed as part of the budget setting process later in the year. It should also be noted that the industrial units have reached the age where other capital works will soon be required.

•5.2 Cattle Market: Noting the Cattle Market Phase 1 project is now mainly complete and the Cattle Market Wash Down Area works are complete. A report will be created and circulated to the Cattle Market Work Group once everything is completely finished.

A Member stated that they believe the Snow Hill site needs to be maximised and looked into in order to stop costing MBC money, this was  noted this for future report.

The Chair moved that the reports recommendation be approved. All Members were in favour.

RESOLVED that

(1)Members took note of the progress made on each capital scheme and that the capital programme will be amended as part of the budget setting process as outlined in section 5.2

(2)Members recommend to the Council’s Policy, Finance and Administration Committee that the Cattle Market Phase 1 capital programme is increased by up to an additional £15k as section 5.2 refers; and

(3)Members recommend to the Council’s Policy, Finance and Administration Committee that the financing for the Cattle Market Wash Down Area is adjusted to take into account the contributions from Gillstream Markets as section 5.2 refers.

The Corporate Director to submit a report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on this Committee’s   services compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1st April 2017 to 30th June 2017.

The Corporate Director submitted a report to provide information on actual expenditure and income incurred on this Committee’s services compared to the latest approved budget for the period 1st April 2017 to 30th June 2017.

The Corporate Director gave an overview of the report bringing Members attention to;

•3.3 of the report, showing a summary of the income and expenditure for this Committee’s services compared to the approved budget at June 2017, noting the forecast £132,490 overspend.

•3.6.1 Which explains the three largest overspend areas, however noting that it is still early in the year and planning income has picked up since the report was written. The Corporate Director also noted that overall the Council is at a underspend position; however these areas will continue to be scrutinised.

A Member enquired at to why the waste management consultation fees have suddenly increased, The Corporate Director noted that a meeting has been set up to scrutinise and challenge these fees, this will be brought back to the waste task group.

A Discussion was had in regards to Car parking. Members wanted to know what the impact of the increase on charges on market day have made as some felt this may not be encouraging tourism. It was also noted that car parking income was significantly lower due to free parking areas in the town which people will use instead of car parks with charges. The Head of Communities and Neighbourhoods stated that a report will be brought back to this Committee with a 6 month trend of usage to see what is working well and what may need working on. The Corporate Director also noted that the car parking does bring in over £700,000 in income per annum therefore it is wise to be careful of making big changes that could effect the council’s financial position  in the long term.  The Chief Executive wanted to note that it may be beneficial to bring this matter to the next Economic Board meeting for consideration to then bring back to this Committee for discussion.

The Chair moved that the recommendation be approved. All Members were in favour.

RESOLVED that Members note of the financial position and year end forecast on each of the Committee’s services to 30th June.

To consider any other items that the Chair considers urgent

There was no urgent business.