Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors de Burle, Graham and Orson.

Edd de Coverly, Chief Executive requested nominations for a Chairman, in the absence of the Leader.

Councillor Browne proposed that Councillor Freer chair the meeting and Councillor Bindloss seconded.

Councillor Freer in the Chair.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2022 were confirmed.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

·       Approval of Melton Town Centre Vision

Scrutiny Feedback on the Approval of Melton Town Centre Vision

The Chairman of Scrutiny Committee introduced the report advising that Scrutiny Committee had considered a presentation on the draft Town Centre Vision on 14 June 2022. The following was highlighted:

·       Initially, the Committee had not been aware that the Vision was a background document.  However, later in the meeting, it was noted that it was so and would be used to steer the development of the town centre over the next 10 years.

·       The Vision document was accompanied by an action plan of key projects and activities to be delivered and supported by partner organisations.

·       The Vision will help direct investment and funding for the delivery of these projects.

·       It was explained to Members that the Vision evidenced the elements identified by the stakeholder consultation events, which would support the Council when bids are made for external funding.

·       Members had expressed concerns over the proposed use of consultants on projects within the Vision which had no chance of progressing, although it was explained to Members that consultants would be procured using the correct procedure and would only be used where there was not the appropriate skill set within the Council. The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity confirmed that consultants would not be used on such projects.

·       Members questioned the funding source of the projects and were informed that external funding would have to be sourced for them.  It was explained if there was no funding, then the projects would not proceed.

·       The Committee expressed disappointment that the Council had not successfully engaged with the landlords of the Bell Centre before inserting the project into the Vision.  It was explained that the project was included within the Vision because it had been identified as a priority through the stakeholder consultations.  2 Councillors had since made contact with the landlords and there should not be any future problems in contacting them.

·       A Member commented that there should be more focus on youth services within the Vision, as there were references to the lack of provision for young people.

·       The comment was made that the Vision was a good document, which needed to be a bit more focused.  However, it was explained that the Vision evidenced the elements that the stakeholders believed to be important for the regeneration of the town centre.

·       Members stated they were pleased that Pera Business Park had been included within the Vision as it had huge potential.

·       Car parking was referenced within the Vision. However, Members commented there was not a clear strategy or agenda. In response to a Member question, the Regeneration Manager had advised that he would confirm what was likely to be spent on the strategy for car parking and what had already been spent.

·       Concern was raised that the Vision could lead to more investment for the Cattle Market, thereby directing resources away from the regeneration of the town centre.

·       The comment was made that Melton was regarded as a rural capital of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity to submit a report on the Melton Town Centre Vision.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED and ENDORSED the consultation version of the Town Centre Vision and considers any amendments required following feedback received from the Council’s Scrutiny Committee and through the public Consultation;

2)    DELEGATED authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity to make any necessary amendments to the Town Centre Vision following the consultation and to finalise the document;

3)    ACKNOWLEDGED that formal adoption of the Town Centre Vision will underpin the submission of the Council’s round 2 Levelling Up Fund bid.

Lee Byrne, Regeneration Manager, introduced the report, highlighting that Approval of the Town Centre Vision and Approval to Submit a Levelling Up Funding Bid (next agenda item) were linked. The Town Centre Vision was a strategic framework, containing a number of projects and opportunities, which the Council, its partners and consultees had identified would help achieve ambitions. The Vision created a consensus and focus over the next 10 years to identify which projects needed to be delivered and to seek relevant funding.

Feedback from a comprehensive public consultation, Scrutiny Committee and workshops with Members, stakeholders and other organisations would be used to inform the Vision. The public consultation had ended on 13 June with the following results:

·       Concerns over the impact of the Bell Centre within the town, with a clear desire to see the site being utilised, as an attraction to the town.

·       Acknowledgment that appropriate car parking arrangements would be essential to the future success of the town.

·       The markets and their offer to the town needed to be developed further, with a view to becoming a central focus of the town and an attraction.

·       Work was needed to secure additional private sector investment for the town.

Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Rob Bindloss commented that the high level of engagement had added considerable value to the Vision.  The Vision would act as a foundation for what the Council, its partners, stakeholders and residents believed was required to equip the town centre for the future, addressing its ever-changing needs and success as a prosperous, forward thinking market town.  The Vision would be used as a framework, to support and inform future funding bids when they arise and the majority of the projects and activities detailed within the Vision would be led by partners with Council support, whilst others may entirely be delivered by the private sector.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·       Members thanked the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity and officers for their work.

·       The Vision detailed a number of projects and it was important to ensure that the Council clearly communicated to the public which of these projects were deliverable.

·       Members commented that it was important that Council partners recognised their role in improving the town centre and they reiterated that Council partners would lead on projects and activities, with Council support when needed.

·       The Council should be realistic about what it would be able to achieve and should not over commit financially or in relation to public expectation.

·       The Council was committed to continued engagement with businesses, residents and other stakeholders as Melton’s high street evolved.

·       The document was key to helping create Melton as a visitor destination and this was an important portion of the economy to be secured.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED and ENDORSED the consultation version of the Town Centre Vision and considers any amendments required following feedback received from the Council’s Scrutiny Committee and through the public Consultation;

2)    DELEGATED authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity to submit a report summarising the key projects for which funding is sought, seeking approval to submit a bid prior to the deadline and outlining the Council’s approach to work jointly with partners to prepare the information which maximises the chances of a successful bid.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the criteria and requirements for submitting a Levelling Up Fund bid;

2)    APPROVED the submission of a joint bid with Rutland County Council to maximise the chances of success, noting the shared emphasis on innovation and regenerating rural market towns;

3)    NOTED that Melton’s intended bid submission contains 3 town centre projects, 1 overseen by the Council to develop the Stockyard at the Cattle Market and 2 other town centre projects due to be delivered by partner agencies;

4)    APPROVED incorporation of all 3 projects within the bid submission, subject to them demonstrating they meet all requirements and maintain comparable confidence of delivery;

5)    DELEGATED authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity to finalise the configuration of the bid, ensuring the strongest possible submission.  Where individual projects do not meet the requirements set out in 2.4, to remove them from the submission;

6)    NOTED that should the Levelling Up Fund bid be successful, the Council will be required to include match funding of up to £1m which will need to either be met through capital receipts or borrowing. Confirmation of this funding will be through a subsequent decision and consideration of more detailed business case(s) setting out the financial and other implications;

7)    DELEGATED authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity to agree with Rutland Council, who the accountable body on behalf of both councils will be.  Notes that appropriate joint governance, resource requirements and legal agreements will be developed to support this arrangement.

Lee Byrne, Regeneration Manager, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to summarise the key projects for which funding was sought, seek approval to submit a bid prior to the deadline and outline the Council’s approach to work jointly with partners to prepare the information, which maximised the chances of a successful bid.

Mr Byrne advised that the Levelling Up Funding Bid provided a clear mechanism and an opportunity to deliver event elements as identified within the Melton Town Centre Vision. The deadline for submission of bids for the second round of funding was 6 July 2022. The Council was required to submit a joint bid with Rutland County Council and this provided the Council with a partnership of shared ideas and aspirations, giving both councils the best opportunity for success. The bid focussed on developing a blueprint for transformation within the town centre, through enabling and promoting innovation in key sectors, which had been adversely impacted by changes over the last 2 years. It was based on developing spaces and support mechanisms, where innovation in the food sector could take place through supporting enhanced growth in food production, food experiences and the wider economy, generating additional value to that particular sector and impacting businesses, education, employment, transport and increasing town centre footfall.

Mr Byrne highlighted that the Council had developed this bid with consideration to feedback received from its unsuccessful first round bid. The feedback had enabled the Council to strengthen the perceived weaknesses from the initial bid, providing greater assurance to government around areas of deliverability, monitoring and proposed outcomes.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Rob Bindloss thanked officers and Members for their work and commented that the Levelling Up Fund provided an opportunity for the Council to deliver on its aspirations and Corporate Priorities, developing areas and attracting increased tourism to support the town and its economy. The Council was working in partnership with Rutland County Council and feedback received from the first bid would enhance this joint bid.

The Chief Executive added his thanks to officers for their work, highlighting that the delegations set out in the report (particularly at paragraph 2.5) provided flexibility, giving himself and the Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity the opportunity to review the bid in the weeks prior to the deadline and ensure that all components were to standard. There would be a further decision taken under delegated power following this meeting and continued monitoring and partnership working.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·       Members thanked officers for their work.

·       The work undertaken was vital to ensure that the bid was as robust as possible.

·       This was an opportunity for the town and borough to attract investment into Melton and initiate regeneration.

·       There was much work to be done before the deadline for bid submission.  Cabinet Members were encouraged to engage with this work and provide feedback and comments.

·       The town centre was a key aspect of Melton's economy but it was important to consider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Leader of the Council to submit a report providing the Cabinet with an update on the outcomes of complaints submitted to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and the Housing Ombudsman (HO) up to 31 March 2022.

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report.

Natasha Taylor, Deputy Monitoring Officer introduced the report, the purpose of which was to provide Members with an update on the outcomes of complaints submitted to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) and the Housing Ombudsman (HO) up to 31 March 2022.

Mrs Taylor advised that this information was reported to Cabinet in accordance with Chapter 2, Part 2 of the Constitution, which provided that the monitoring and oversight of complaints was a function of the Cabinet. The report provided a breakdown of the 5 complaints received by the LGSCO since July 2021 and a summary of each complaint was provided. Further details on the 2 complaints upheld by the ombudsman were provided at paragraph 5.2 of the report and evidenced implementation of the LGSCO recommendations and the Council's commitment to responding to complaints appropriately. The report also confirms that there were currently 3 complaints lodged with the HO. These complaints were in progress and further details would be reported to Cabinet in due course.

Cabinet NOTED the contents of the report.

Reasons for the recommendation

It is a constitutional requirement for Cabinet to have strategic oversight of complaints data to support Priority 1 – excellent services positively impacting on our communities and Priority 5 – ensuring the right conditions to support delivery.

Receipt of regular complaints data also demonstrates good governance in line with the Governance Framework.