Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no apologies received for this meeting.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2025 were confirmed.

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

Councillor Butcher and Councillor Cox both declared a pecuniary interest in minute number 79, Asset Development Programme, due to their involvement with a charity currently based at Phoenix House.

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

There were no items referred from the Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the Scrutiny Procedure Rules.

The quarter 3 Treasury Management report is to be presented to Cabinet.

Cabinet:

1.     NOTED the Quarter 3 position on the Treasury activity for 2024-25

2.     NOTED the Quarter 3 position on the Prudential Indicators for 2024-25

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

Councillor Cox updated the committee advising that the Strategy override relating to legacy investments in place prior to 1 April 2024 will continue until April 2029 so we do not need to account until after that time for the reduction in the value of the property fund.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. NOTED the Quarter 3 position on the Treasury activity for 2024-25

2. NOTED the Quarter 3 position on the Prudential Indicators for 2024-25

(Non-Key Decision)

Reasons for Recommendations:

The Prudential Code requires the Council to monitor and report performance on Treasury Management activities at least quarterly. As a minimum Full Council need to receive an annual report on the strategy and plan for the coming financial year, a mid-year review and an annual report on performance of the treasury management function. In addition, monitoring reports should be received at least quarterly alongside revenue and capital monitoring by the Cabinet as the body delegated responsibility for treasury management Functions.

To facilitate the decision-making process and support capital investment decisions the Prudential Code requires the Council to agree and monitor a minimum number of prudential indicators.

The quarter 3 Performance, Risk and Feedback report is to be presented to Cabinet.

Cabinet:

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

The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services, Councillor Glancy, introduced the report and moved the recommendations. Councillor Allnatt seconded the motion.

Councillor Glancy acknowledged the Land Charges officer who had consistently met and exceeded targets since 2021/22 and has been attentive in maintaining good performance in this area.

Councillor Glancy advised the committee that Melton Borough Council is first out of nine Leicestershire and Rutland Authorities for Business Rate Collection.

Councillor Glancy thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED

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

(Non-key Decision)

Reasons for Recommendation

Having established a new Corporate Strategy made up of Vision 36 and Corporate Delivery Plan in 2024, is it important the Council regularly receives and considers performance information to evaluate progress against its priorities. The Council's Corporate Performance Measures are used to focus on key priority services, along with the strategic risks and seek to help inform the Cabinet, Members and Officers with regard to the formation of policy and oversight of delivery.

A report on the UKSPF and Inward Investment Strategy is to be presented to Cabinet.

Cabinet:

1.     NOTED the contents of the report.

2.     DELEGATED authority to the Director for Place and Prosperity, in consultation with the Leader, to undertake any actions required to enable delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding programme (UKSPF) by 2025/26 financial year end.

3.     DELEGATED authority to the Director for Place and Prosperity to enter into any agreements that are required to support the successful delivery of the UKSPF year-4 activity.

4.     ENDORSED and APPROVED the Inward Investment Strategy and DELEGATED authority to the Director for Place and Prosperity, in consultation with Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, Growth and Prosperity to make any minor amendments to the strategy that my be required following the current period of consultation.

5.     APPROVED the allocation of £42,500 from the Regeneration and Innovation Reserve to support delivery of Inward Investment Strategy and other related priorities outlined in Section 5.9 of this report.

The Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Housing, Leisure and Landlord Services, Councillor Allnatt, introduced the report and moved the recommendations. Councillor Butcher seconded the motion.

Councillor Allnatt requested officers readdress Appendix A and confirm the £130 million distributor investment value.

Members were pleased to note continued allocation of funding for: Planning enforcement and compliance; Farmer Health Checks and Rural Food Hubs.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1. NOTED the contents of the report.

2. DELEGATED AUTHORITY to the Director for Place and Prosperity, in consultation with the Leader, to undertake any actions required to enable delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding programme (UKSPF) by 2025/26 financial year end.

3. DELEGATED authority to the Director for Place and Prosperity to enter into any agreements that are required to support the successful delivery of the UKSPF year-4 activity.

4. ENDORSED and APPROVED the Inward Investment Strategy and DELEGATED authority to the Director for Place and Prosperity, in consultation with Portfolio Holder for Town Centre, Growth and Prosperity to make any minor amendments to the strategy that may be required following the current period of consultation.

5. APPROVED the allocation of £42,500 from the Regeneration and Innovation Reserve to support delivery of Inward Investment Strategy and other related priorities outlined in Section 5.9 of this report.

(Key Decision)

Reasons for Recommendation:

Melton Borough Council will receive a further allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Funding for the financial year 2025/26 for delivery from April 2025 and spend by 31 March 2026. Local authorities will continue to have flexibility to invest across a range of activities that represent the right solutions for their areas. The Council is responsible for managing the funding in line with 5 UK-wide themes, assessing and approving applications, processing payments and monitoring to HM Government.

In order to deliver the outputs and outcomes of the Fund, whilst meeting the needs of the Borough, decision making capacity is required at the officer level, in liaison with Portfolio Holder, including changes to existing programmes at short notice. This will also require third parties to deliver interventions on the Council’s behalf and where appropriate enter into grant funding agreements with delivery partners.

In order to deliver interventions that are part of the Council’s Corporate Plan, a range of projects are planned that fall outside of UKSPF eligibility or the Fund allocation. The Council’s regeneration and innovation fund will be called upon to support project development and delivery, including the continuation of the inward investment activity (An overview of this inward investment plan and proposed activity can be found in Appendix A). These interventions will not continue without the allocation from the Council’s regeneration and innovation fund. The Inward Investment Strategy is currently subject to stakeholder consultation and any minor amendments arising from that consultation will be addressed under the delegation requested above.

The Monitoring Officer is to present a report.

Cabinet:

1.     NOTED the findings in the report at Appendix 1

2.     CONSIDERED any action necessary to address the issues referred to in that report.

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report. Councillor Glancy moved the Recommendations. Councillor Allnatt seconded the motion.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

Cabinet AGREED that press and public be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Access to Information: Exempt Information) under paragraphs 1, 2 and 5.

All queries raised were answered.

READMITTANCE OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

Cabinet APPROVED that the press and public be readmitted to the meeting

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.     NOTED the findings in the report at Appendix 1

2.     CONSIDERED any action necessary to address the issues referred to in that report.

(Non-Key decision)

Reason for Recommendation:

A Monitoring Officer appointed by a local authority is under a personal statutory duty to prepare a report where certain adverse findings are made against the authority. The purpose is to ensure that any issues to which the adverse finding relates is brought to the attention of the relevant part of the authority so that, if required, appropriate action can be taken to address those issues and prevent a recurrence.

The Asset Development Programme Update is to be presented to Cabinet.

Cabinet:

1.     NOTED the update on the progress of the Asset Development Programme.

2.     NOTED the extension of the timeframe for delivery of the Asset Development Plan.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Allnatt, introduced the report and moved the recommendations. Councillor Glancy seconded the motion.

Councillor Cox and Councillor Butcher left the meeting for this item.

No comments from Members were received on this report.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

1.     NOTED the update on the progress of the Asset Development Programme.

2.     NOTED the extension of the timeframe for delivery of the Asset Development Plan.

(Non-Key decision)

Reasons for Recommendation:

As part of its continuing efforts to maintain financial sustainability, the Asset Development Programme is a priority of the Council, which has received external funding to enable its implementation. Further to ongoing work with the ICB, and continuing efforts in relation to various assets, set out in this report, it is important to provide regular and routine updates on the progress of the ADP.