Agenda item

The Leader began his announcements by noting that Malise Graham has resigned as a Melton Borough Councillor after 37 years on the Council. The Leader paid tribute to Mr Graham and thanked him for his long service.

The Leader thanked the Mayor and noted that it was his final full Council meeting that he would be presiding over. The Leader noted that the Mayor has served for two terms as Mayor, as well another term as Deputy Mayor. The Leader recognised the sacrifices the Mayor and his Mayoress have done and thanked them for serving both terms.

The Leader recognised that the current Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tim Webster would become Mayor at Annual Council and that he would get his full support. He also confirmed his undertaking given to Mr Graham to support Councillor Siggy Atherton becoming Deputy Mayor. The Leader recognised Councillor Atherton’s long-established voluntary community work and fully participative role as a councillor.

The Leader congratulated Councillor Browne on becoming the Leader of the Conservative Group and Councillor Child on becoming the Group’s Deputy Leader.

The Leader raised a number of points that the Constitution Review Working Group could review.

-        Purpose of Opposition

The Leader noted that there is a Special Responsibility Allowance for the Leader of the Opposition, however the Constitution did not state what the purpose of the opposition is.

-        Ward Member notification for speaking at Planning Committee

Recently, the Leader and Councillor Browne moved to suspend a procedure rule within the Constitution to enable Councillor Chris Evans to speak on an application affecting his and Councillor Simon Orson’s ward. The Leader believes in altering the notice period for Ward Members from days to before the commencement of the meeting.

-        Questions at Leader’s Announcements

The Leader noted that some Conservative Group Members believe there should be an opportunity to question and discuss the Leader’s Announcements at Council. The Leader stated that he could propose a motion in order to facilitate this, however he had been advised that this might not be permitted by the Constitution.

-        Committee Membership Recalculations

The Leader stated that Committee memberships are recalculated by the arrival of a new Member of a change of party allegiance by existing Members and not by a resignation.

In addressing the issue of the Doctor’s Surgery at Parkside, the Leader stated that good progress is being made.

-        New layout of reception

The reception is to be reconfigured in order to make the area more welcoming and efficient.

-        Better lift arrangements

It is planned for new and more accessible lift arrangements.

-        Members’ Areas

The Leader stated that Members would have to make sacrifices too. The Leader’s Office, Members’ Room and Mayor’s Parlour could be replaced by multi-purpose private working areas

-        Reduced office space

The reduced office space would require Members and Officers to maintain hybrid working and hot desking.

In addressing the progress of the UKSPF, the Leader stated that a Local Area Board and grant awards procedure had been established. Although some refining is needed to be done, the Leader stated that the Council and partners are well positioned to complete the programme within the prescribed time frames.

The Leader updated Members on the LUF programme and stated that when he became Leader, the Council and partners were a little behind with progress. Since then, considerable progress had been made. The Leader informed Council that the Cabinet approved the final framework for the planning application to be submitted in May. They had reached the point after much preparation, which has included pre-application consultation with Leicestershire County Council Highways Department.

The Leader has set up a Construction Phase Liaison Group to ensure that there is a smooth transition, enabling a degree of business as usual, and existing tenants and users are kept informed.