In accordance with
the Constitution, a Member may ask the Leader, the Chair of the Council
or a Committee Chair, a question on any matter in relation to which the Council
has powers or duties or which affects the Borough.
Three questions have been received. The questions are as follows.
Question 1
Councillor I Atherton is asking The Leader
In mid-January 2024, Arla announced a review of their
business and, according to the article in the Melton Times, this review
potentially puts the Arla Creamery, previously known as Tuxford and Tebbutt, at
risk. The review is scheduled to conclude in April 2024. This creamery has been
producing cheese since 1780 and is surely considered a focal point of Melton
Mowbray’s being the Rural Capital of Food. Although, publicly at least, Arla HQ
in Leeds have yet to make a decision, it would appear
from press articles that they are seeking a buyer which may protect the
Creamery, but this is far from certain. Given the current financial crisis that
many families find themselves in, the potential loss of employment could be
devastating not only for those employed by the Creamery, but also for those in
its supply chain.
On hearing of this news, on Monday 22nd January I emailed
the MBC Chief Executive to understand what support we can offer to those who
might lose their jobs should the Creamery be closed. I did receive a response
the same days stating that he had immediately offered support, in a number of ways, to assist their review, namely:
· Provision of an up-to-date assessment of Melton’s growth potential re town expansion and infrastructure investment as they may see that growth making Melton a more attractive proposition to maintain commitment to.
· Direct support from our growth and regeneration team re any economic development assistance.
·
A meeting with himself and the Leader to
demonstrate our strategic support to their business and the employment in
sustains.
Sadly, I’ve been informed that, at the time of this
submission, Arla have not yet responded to this offer. I would hope that Arla looks on the offer
favourably but would ask that the Craven Ward members be included in any
further correspondence with Arla so that we can present a unified,
well-informed approach to supporting them.
While I welcome the fact that we are offering support, it would appear that our support is limited to providing
information to the Creamery and a demonstration of support meeting, whatever
that might mean. This prompts the following questions:
a) What representation have we made to Arla HQ in Leeds in support of the Melton Mowbray Creamery and to impress on them the impact of the potential loss of the Creamery to Melton Mowbray town centre and wider Borough?
b)
What further measures are we planning to
practically demonstrate the Councils support to not only the Arla Melton
Mowbray management but to the Arla Melton Mowbray workforce and its suppliers?
Question 2
Councillor R Browne is asking The Leader
Can the Leader of the Council please specify what
consideration he has made to responding to the consultation on Awwab’s Law?
Question 3
Councillor S Orson is asking The Leader
What does the Leader propose to ensure that going forward we address the risks to villages and areas of Melton Mowbray that have flooded and are at risk of flooding. One of my villages Long Clawson flooded recently with little response from Melton Borough Council. The doctor’s surgery has previously only been an inch of water away from flooding, this being a very important asset of the area serving nearly 8000 people. Melton BC have been quiet, a token effort of 30 sandbags was delivered to Long Clawson only when the waters were receding, but MBC seems to have shunned any responsibility, past or present, and what with climate change, what action will communities like mine get considering the increasing impact of flooding due to climate change?
Minutes:
Three questions from Members had been received and they were taken in
the order that they were received.
Councillor I Atherton asked the Leader the following question:
In mid-January 2024, Arla announced a review of their business and,
according to the article in the Melton Times, this review potentially puts the
Arla Creamery, previously known as Tuxford and Tebbutt, at risk. The review is
scheduled to conclude in April 2024. This creamery has been producing cheese
since 1780 and is surely considered a focal point of Melton Mowbray’s being the
Rural Capital of Food. Although, publicly at least, Arla HQ in Leeds have yet
to make a decision, it would appear from press articles that they are seeking a buyer
which may protect the Creamery, but this is far from certain. Given the current
financial crisis that many families find themselves in, the potential loss of
employment could be devastating not only for those employed by the Creamery,
but also for those in its supply chain.
On hearing of this news, on Monday 22nd
January I emailed the MBC Chief Executive to understand what support we can
offer to those who might lose their jobs should the Creamery be closed. I did
receive a response the same days stating that he had immediately offered
support, in a number of ways, to assist their review,
namely:
Sadly, I’ve been informed that, at the time
of this submission, Arla have not yet responded to this offer. I would hope
that Arla looks on the offer favourably but would ask that the Craven Ward
members be included in any further correspondence with Arla so that we can
present a unified, well-informed approach to supporting them.
While I welcome the fact that we are
offering support, it would appear that our support is
limited to providing information to the Creamery and a demonstration of support
meeting, whatever that might mean. This prompts the following questions:
a) What representation have we made to Arla HQ in
Leeds in support of the Melton Mowbray Creamery and to impress on them the
impact of the potential loss of the Creamery to Melton Mowbray town centre and
wider Borough?
b)
What
further measures are we planning to practically demonstrate the Councils
support to not only the Arla Melton Mowbray management but to the Arla Melton
Mowbray workforce and its suppliers?
The Leader explained that it is now week 3 of a 12-week consultation
period. He had written to and secured a face-to-face meeting with Arla, this is being arranged together with Senior Officers
of the Council. The Leader would impress upon them the effects on the place and
people of the town and Borough.
The Leader explained that following the meeting, the Council would
consider further measures to support the management and employees of Arla. If
the business is determined to close, the Council are not empowered to subsidise
them nor is there a budget for this. It was explained that even if the Council
could suspend business rates, he suspected that it would not even dent Arla’s
cost base. However, the Council would seek to advise employees through the
transition.
The Leader explained that the Council are not in a
position to assist the suppliers, either legally or financially.
The Leader added by informing council that he had opened
up a dialogue with a potential purchaser of the site and the business.
Council Officers would continue, as they do all the time, to scan for other
possibilities.
Councillor I Atherton
opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the Leader what success the
Growth and Regeneration team have in attracting businesses to the Borough.
In response the Leader
stated that he would provide a written response, this was to ensure the correct
information is provided.
Councillor Browne asked the Leader the following question:
The Leader
began his answer by stating that the death of Awaab
Ishak in Rochdale as a result of exposure to mould in
his home was tragic and was a wake-up call to the whole housing sector. As a
landlord, health and safety is not a nice to have, it is a fundamental part of
what the Council does. The Council should and would be held to account for keeping
tenants safe. The Leader welcomed the increased focus
and the Council would fully embrace these changes as a landlord.
It was explained that Awaab’s Law,
introduced in the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, requires landlords to
investigate and fix reported health hazards within specified timeframes, and a
government consultation on these proposals is underway. The new rules would
form part of tenancy agreements, so that tenants can hold landlords to account
by law if they fail to provide a decent home.
The Council
had considered the proposed requirements in readiness for responding to the
consultation ahead of the deadline in March 2024 with the Regulatory Compliance
Lead and Housing Asset Manager due to present a report to the Housing
Leadership Team and the Leader as Portfolio Holder in February. The report
would outline the government’s proposal, the contents of the consultation and
the Council’s consideration of the practical implementation of the
requirements. The Council’s response would be clear that it fully supports the
principles of the Awaab’s Law.
The Council
would continue to be proactive, not only in responding to reports of damp and
mould, but also to address these and address the root causes, whilst also
following up with tenants to check that remedies have worked effectively. The
Council have already implemented a damp and mould policy and preventative
measures such as increased ventilation in tenants
homes are built into the repairs and capital programme.
The Council
would publish it’s response
to this important consultation and will actively share this with tenants via
the Your Choice group, as well as with all elected Members. The Council also
have regulatory readiness as a work programme item on the Scrutiny Committee
Work Programme, where a second consideration of this topic is scheduled for
April this year.
An initial
review of the proposals suggests that some procedural changes would need to be
made to current policy, processes and housing
management system, for example, to embed the required response timescales and
to ensure that every inspection or action is followed up in writing. At every
stage, tenant circumstances and vulnerabilities would need to be taken into
consideration. These procedural changes would not be made until the post
consultation regulations are received. However, preparations are being made
based on what Officers expect the requirements would be, to ensure that changes
are implemented quickly when required. The Council’s team are already well
trained and would be fully briefed on any changes to the requirements.
Councillor Browne opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the
Leader how many cases of mould and damp have been dealt with in the last 12
months.
In response, the Leader stated that nine cases have been identified in
the last year.
Councillor S Orson asked the Leader the following question:
What does the Leader propose to ensure that going forward we address the
risks to villages and areas of Melton Mowbray that have flooded and are at risk
of flooding. One of my villages Long Clawson flooded recently with little
response from Melton Borough Council. The doctor’s surgery has previously only
been an inch of water away from flooding, this being a very important asset of
the area serving nearly 8000 people. Melton BC have been quiet, a token effort
of 30 sandbags was delivered to Long Clawson only when the waters were
receding, but MBC seems to have shunned any responsibility, past or present,
and, what with climate change, what action will communities like mine get
considering the increasing impact of flooding due to climate change?
In responding to the question, the
Leader thanked Councillors Evans, Simon Orson and Sharp during recent storm
floods. He then explained that as it is an important topic
he believed it is worthy of a full report and that all Members would have the
opportunity to discuss and debate in Council before the end of the Municipal
Year.
The Leader stated that spending £50,000
across the Borough from reserves is not going to scratch the surface.
The Leader did reject some of
Councillor Orson’s assertions and explained some of the initiatives which are
ongoing, that had taken place.
In respect to Waltham, during the storm
flooding, the Leader was contacted by a local resident and he, in turn,
contacted Severn Trent. The resident later contacted the Leader to thank him
for getting involved and, also Councillor Sharp, and that the situation was now
under control.
Looking at Hoby & Rotherby, the Leader met with the Clerk and Chair of the
Parish Council and discussed future resilience including the location of
additional bags and sand within the parish.
In respect to Frisby, Councillor Browne
had requested that the Leader attended a Parish Council meeting to discuss the
flooding events but because both he and Councillor Glancy were away, it was
arranged for Councillor Thwaites to attend, however the parish had withdrawn
the request.
The Leader concluded by explaining his
own personal experience of flooding and added that he had considerable empathy
with events in Long Clawson.
Councillor S Orson opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the
Leader. Can you explain in detail the meetings you have had with Severn Trent.
In response, the Leader stated that he would provide a written answer but did recall a meeting he has had with Severn Trent regarding prevention. Also he did note that Leicestershire County Council, which is the lead flood authority, was revising flood strategy.