Agenda item

In accordance with the Constitution, a Member may ask the Leader, relevant Portfolio Holder or the Chair of the Council, a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Borough.

 

Seven questions have been received at the time of publication. All confirmed questions will be circulated after the deadline.

 

Deadline for questions – Thursday 18 July

Seven questions from Members had been received and they were taken in the order that they were received.

 

Question 1

Councillor Lumley asked the Leader the following question:

 

I support Councillor Helen Cliff’s past campaign to try to save Melton Hospital’s Birthing Unit which has a continued very high satisfaction score from users. The Health Commissioning Group recently announced the good news that its use would be extended. Can the Leader meet with the Commissioning Group’s officials, and request:

a)    that the Birthing Unit does not close at all? And

b)    request an Urgent Health Care Centre, on this under-utilised Melton Hospital site for our growing population?

 

In responding to the questions, the Leader stated that yes he can meet with the Commissioning Group officials, however he added that he has to make sure he is speaking to the right people. The Leader confirmed that he had already raised it in discussions elsewhere.

 

Councillor Lumley did not opt to ask a supplementary question.

 

Question 2

Councillor Lumley asked the Leader the following question:

 

The newly elected Labour Government has announced that it will lift the ban on onshore wind farms. These can be heavily supported by fossil fuels, the materials used for solar panels and wind turbines can be very un-environmentally friendly and components may not be recyclable after their lifespan, meaning they will have to go into landfill.

 

Wind turbines can be detrimental to the visual amenity of their surroundings, cause noise pollution to local residents, and can accidentally kill birds and other wildlife. They can also reduce key farming land, leading to less food crops, which could impact on the country’s food security. An ‘environmentalism’ or nature, such as planting trees, versus Net Zero approach, is best.

 

Therefore, do you agree that the Local Plan Working Group and Climate Change Working Groups should urgently review the implications arising from these recent announcements on our own planning and climate change policies and the approach to these forms of development?

 

In responding, the Leader stated that he did not agree with the preamble, however on the substantive point, he has a planned meeting with an expert in Leicestershire and would raise the points then. The Leader added that it is always good to review policies when there is a change of Government but that he would be guided by colleagues and Officers on how quickly this should take place.

 

Councillor Lumley did not opt to ask a supplementary question.

 

Question 3

Councillor Chubb asked the Leader the following question:

 

In light of the cabinet’s decision to reallocate (subject to Government sign off) the LUF monies form Brooksby Melton College Theatre to the Melton Mowbray Cattle Market can you confirm that the necessary robust due diligence tests, that should include viability, demand, customer footfall and risks assessments have been undertaken?

 

In responding, the Leader stated that there had already been due diligence, as the previous administration had allocated the site. The action regarding the college is out of the Council’s hands, so therefore the Leader needed to ensure that the money was secured for Melton. The technical details are being assessed before finances are reviewed.

 

Councillor Chubb opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the Leader whether Members can be assured that the outcomes would match the original outputs.

 

In response, the Leader stated that it must match the outputs because that was the agreement.

 

Question 4

Councillor S Orson asked the Leader the following question:

 

I e-mailed the Leader on 28th February 2024 requesting he kept to his offer to fund a survey of the culvert that runs below the Sands in Long Clawson. The Leader further offered to fund expert opinion on how to stop the flooding in the Centre of Long Clawson. Unfortunately, the Leader has not responded to my e-mail, so I welcome an answer at Full Council.

 

In responding, the Leader stated that he met with County Councillor Lovegrove to see what might or might not be done by the lead flood authority, Leicestershire County Council. The Leader confirmed that he and County Councillor Lovegrove would meet again. The Leader confirmed that flooding was a very serious problem and that the issue would be discussed at the Rural Area Liaison Forums.

 

As Members were approaching the time allowed for Members’ questions, the Mayor proposed that Procedure Rule 13.7 of the Meetings General Procedure Rules should be suspended for the rest of the meeting so that the time limit of 20 minutes for Members’ questions can be exceeded. Councillor Child seconded the motion.

 

RESOLVED

 

Council

 

Suspended Procedure Rule 13.7 of the Meetings General Procedure Rules for the remainder of the meeting.

 

(Unanimous)

 

Councillor S Orson opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the Leader that despite expressing a desire to work with all Councillors, why won’t he answer his emails.

 

In response, the Leader explained it was a mistake and that he has a large volume of emails, therefore it was easy to miss correspondence.

 

Question 5

Councillor J Orson was not present and therefore Leader agreed to provide a written response to the question.

 

Question 6

Councillor Browne asked the Leader the following question:

 

Can the leader confirm what strategic direction and support is being given to look at the future of a Theatre for Melton Mowbray beyond the short-term commitment Brooksby Melton College is able to provide?

 

In responding, the Leader stated that when it became apparent that the college was going to remove themselves from the whole of campus, he found out what it entailed. The Leader explained that the college wouldn’t use the facility and local schools couldn’t jointly use it. The cost of running the theatre would mean that it would be prohibitive for the Council to purchase the facility.

 

Councillor Browne opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the Leader would the Leader join a cross party initiative to work to save the performing arts in the town?

 

In response, the Leader explained that he wasn’t sure in what respect as various options had been looked into. The Leader explained that if Members would like to outline what the offer means to Chief Executive, then he would consider it.

 

Question 7

Councillor Child asked the Leader the following question:

 

Can the leader give precise numbers of back logged planning applications that still need to be processed to decision making stage?

 

In responding, the Leader stated that he would provide statistics but he would need to double check. He informed Members that all the indicators are, that the back log is being reduced.

 

Councillor Child opted to ask a supplementary question and asked the Leader, where the statistics, that he said were available, are.

 

In response, the Leader confirmed that the information is out there and that overall, it is going well.