Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2021.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2021 were confirmed.

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

Councillor Orson declared an interest in any items relating to Leicestershire County Council, due to his role as a County Councillor.

No items have been referred from Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

No items had been referred from the Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement to submit a report setting out a summary of the draft Leicestershire Resource and Waste Strategy (LR&WS), including the implications for the Council

Cabinet:

1)    ENDORSED the contents of the Draft Leicestershire Resource and Waste Strategy (LR&WS).

2)    APPROVED, alongside the other Councils within the Leicestershire Waste Partnership, that the draft strategy be subject to a period of public consultation commencing in January 2022.

3)    NOTED that minor amendments may be made by the Leicestershire Waste Partnership prior to publication of the consultation draft.

In introducing the report, the Director for Housing and Communities stated that the purpose was to introduce a consultation document that is to be considered by all Council within Leicestershire. It is proposed that the consultation would commence in January 2022.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate, Access and Engagement summarised the report and outlined the progress that has been made in order to get the Leicestershire Waste Strategy to the point of consultation. Members were informed that the new strategy will include legislation updates and a target of a 65% recycling rate by 2035. It is proposed that the consultation would be open for a 12-week period with adoption by summer 2022.

In responding to the introduction and summary, the Leader stated that the Leicestershire Waste Partnership (LWP) has been successful and that he expects that to continue. The Leader expects people to participate in the consultation as people are keen to recycle.

In response to a question regarding trade waste, Members were informed that that the Business Improvement District offers a service for trade waste within the Melton area.

A short discussion on the consultation ensued and the Deputy Leader stated that he will look forward to hearing how the consultation goes. In response it was confirmed that communication on the consultation is something the Council would carefully consider.

(DECISION: KEY)

Cabinet:

1)    ENDORSED the contents of the Draft Leicestershire Resource and Waste Strategy (LR&WS).

2)    APPROVED, alongside the other Councils within the Leicestershire Waste Partnership, that the draft strategy be subject to a period of public consultation commencing in January 2022.

3)    NOTED that minor amendments may be made by the Leicestershire Waste Partnership prior to publication of the consultation draft.

Reasons for the recommendation

Waste Collection and Disposal Authorities are required to have an agreed Municipal Waste Strategy. The current Leicestershire strategy is due for refresh and a new draft has been developed by the LWP over the last year.

Each authority within the LWP is in the process of seeking approval to commence public consultation for a period of 12 weeks which forms part of the process of the review of the LR&WS.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration to submit a report seeking Cabinet approval to recommend the adoption of the Housing Strategy 2021-2026 to Council.

Cabinet:

1)    NOTED the outcome of the consultation and the amendments made to the Housing Strategy

2)    RECOMMENDED to Council that the final version of the Housing Strategy, set out in Appendix A is adopted.

3)    NOTED that a Delivery Plan will be developed to support the implementation of the Housing Strategy and that an annual progress report will be presented to the Cabinet

Director for Growth and Regeneration introduced the Housing Strategy. Particular attention was drawn to paragraphs 5.15 and 5.16 of the report, as they summarise the key feedback received from the consultation and provided points for the Council and key stakeholders to take forward. In terms of next steps, the Cabinet was informed that an Action Plan would be presented to them in spring 2022.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity summarised the reasons why the Cabinet should approve recommendations.

The Portfolio Holder for Council Homes and Landlord Services informed Members that the Council are facing a challenge with respect to a higher demand for single person dwellings. In addition, there is a challenge with regards to affordability as the rural areas are more expensive than the urban areas. It was also noted that there is a need for a higher number of social rental properties. The Cabinet were informed that it is the intention to continue to work with partners in order to provide robust sustainable communities.

In response to a question on what the Council can do about developers who don’t fulfil their end of the agreement, it was confirmed that these are usually dealt with legally binding Section 106 agreements which, if the developer fails to fulfil, the Council can go to court and seek restitution. However, it is very rare that the Council has to do this.

(DECISION: KEY)

Cabinet:

1)    NOTED the outcome of the consultation and the amendments made to the Housing Strategy

2)    RECOMMENDED to Council that the final version of the Housing Strategy, set out in Appendix A is adopted.

3)    NOTED that a Delivery Plan will be developed to support the implementation of the Housing Strategy and that an annual progress report will be presented to the Cabinet

Reasons for the recommendation

The Housing Strategy will support the delivery of key priorities for the Council, including Corporate Strategy (2020-2024) priority 2, ‘providing high quality council homes and landlord services’ and priority 3, ‘delivering sustainable and inclusive growth in Melton’.

Developing a housing strategy is not a statutory duty. However, local authorities are encouraged to create a document that clearly states their housing ambitions and provide a clear and strategic direction for planning and delivering housing in their area. The Housing Strategy will ensure that housing is considered at a strategic level so housing related services and plans are delivered efficiently and effectively in a joined up way.

The Housing Strategy is recommended because it has been robustly developed, having regard to;

a)    The objectives and priorities of the Corporate Strategy (2020-24)

b)    The Council’s strategic housing responsibilities

c)     Other statutory and non-statutory guidance, government policy and initiatives

d)    Substantial analysis and engagement with stakeholders

Feedback on the consultation of the draft Housing Strategy was largely positive and there was strong support from local residents as well as our partners and wider stakeholders for its objectives. The strategy has been finalised by considering and incorporating feedback given, ensuring it more closely reflects  ...  view the full minutes text for item 219.

The Leader of the Council to submit a report advising Members on the current state of performance against the defined performance reporting measures for the priority themes within the Council’s Corporate Priorities for the first and second quarter of the financial year 2021/22.

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report.

Director for Corporate Services introduced and summarised the report. Members were informed that the report covers the first six months of 2021/22.

Councillor Browne commented that there had been an increase in housing complainants, however he informed Members that this is a positive development as previously the Council weren’t recording them as robustly as we should have done.

(DECISION: NON-KEY)

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report and provide any observations or actions to the relevant officers accordingly.

Reason for the recommendation

Having established a new Corporate Strategy in September 2020, is it important the Council regularly receives and considers performance information to evaluate progress. The Council's Corporate Performance Measures are used to focus on key priority services and projects and seek to help inform the Cabinet, Members and Officers with regard to the formation of policy and oversight of delivery. This report will be provided to Cabinet twice a year and will also be provided to the Scrutiny Committee to enable them to consider appropriate areas for their Work Programme.

The Leader of the Council to submit a report seeking Cabinet approval of the Masterplan for the Melton South Sustainable Neighbourhood.

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the Masterplan for the purposes of providing a framework to guide the consideration of future planning applications in the South Melton area including the identified ‘Sustainable Neighbourhood’ area, subject to the receipt of a viability assessment that demonstrates its deliverability.

2)    NOTED, that the approval of the Masterplan will support the delivery of the south section (A606 to A607) of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR) in particular.

3)    NOTED that approval of the Masterplan is the final part of the package of works required to support the County Council in accepting the Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant, as set out by their Cabinet on 20 July 2021.

The Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery introduced the report. The Cabinet was informed that this piece of work was the last commitment to Leicestershire County Council in order for them to be able to accept the Housing Infrastructure Fund bid from Homes England.

Councillor Bindloss commented that the masterplan incorporates the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR), which will be built by 2025. He added that the masterplan demonstrates the wider potential of the MMDR and sets out the framework for the whole area. The masterplan would bring new opportunities for business including quality and well thought out premises from which to grow and provide new employment opportunities. It would also bring new homes for residents to live in.

The Leader commented that the masterplan and the MMDR would bring new growth to Melton Mowbray and confirmed that a planning application for the MMDR would be submitted in 2022.

(DECISION: KEY)

Cabinet:

1)    APPROVED the Masterplan for the purposes of providing a framework to guide the consideration of future planning applications in the South Melton area including the identified ‘Sustainable Neighbourhood’ area, subject to the receipt of a viability assessment that demonstrates its deliverability.

2)    NOTED that the approval of the Masterplan will support the delivery of the south section (A606 to A607) of the Melton Mowbray Distributor Road (MMDR) in particular.

3)    NOTED that approval of the Masterplan is the final part of the package of works required to support the County Council in accepting the Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant, as set out by their Cabinet on 20 July 2021.

Reasons for the recommendation

The Masterplan incorporates within a wider context the main requirements of adopted Policy SS4, supporting the wider aspirations of the Local Plan for a high-quality sustainable neighbourhood, and the delivery of homes and the infrastructure required to support them.

The Masterplan has been developed as a result of close collaboration between the Council and the landowners/developers, and represents a strong, positive and coherent approach to the continued development of the area south of Melton Mowbray including the South Sustainable Neighbourhood.

The adopted Masterplan will provide the assurance as required by Leicestershire County Council to ensure the delivery of housing and associated infrastructure, giving them the confidence to proceed with and ‘forward fund’ the education requirements for the Borough and the MMDR project.

Viability assessment of the Masterplan is underway, and initial outputs are expected early in 2022. The County Council is keen to see progress with the Masterplan and agrees with the approach set out at recommendation 2.1, that the Masterplan is approved subject to viability assessment. The headline viability assessment and its final outputs will be shared with the County Council at the earliest possible opportunity, and the assessment will be subject to the scrutiny of both parties.