Agenda item

On the 13 February, the Leader chaired the Landlord Assurance Board. Other Councillors present were Margaret Glancy, Jim Adcock and Mike Brown. The Landlord Assurance Board was created before the Regulator’s inspection last year and is not a requirement, but it is good practise. The Leader explained that now the Council are considered an exemplar of good practise. The Board provides a forum in which the Council’s duties as a social landlord may be monitored by a cross-section of tenants, who have received training, volunteering as critical friends. It is also attended by an experienced external social housing provider as an additional point of reference. Some of the agenda is a bit formal in order to meet reporting standards but the meetings are friendly, informative and respectful. The Board does not discuss individual cases but are open about trends and aspirations. So far it is clear that for the most part the tenant representatives are pushing at an open door and their contributions are greatly valued because they are based on lived experience which enable the Council to focus better on key priorities. On 26 February, the Leader attended a routine follow up meeting with members of the inspection team. Having listened very carefully to everything the inspection team shared with the Council, it is clear that the Board is an important part of the Council’s continuous improvement programme, and that Melton is doing well and is on target.

On 18 February, the Leader met with the Police and Crime Commissioner. They discussed an open letter sent by the PCC on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation and established a large measure of agreement, including his critique of the County Council’s approach to this profound change. They also took the opportunity to discuss other issues of mutual concern.

Council was informed that on the 19 February, he had a routine meeting with representatives of the Town Estate and as part of the agenda, he was able to explain the general picture on Devolution and Local Government Reform.

The Leader informed Council that on 20 February he attended the Barkstone, Plunger and Redmile Parish Council meeting at their invitation and agreed to re-visit the area to follow up on various issues. He attended the meeting with County Councillor Bryan Lovegrove and Borough Councillor Chris Evans.

Members were informed that on 20 February the Leader chaired a meeting of Leicestershire’s district council leaders regarding Devolution and Local Government Reform (LGR). They discussed the assertions from the day before by the County Council Leader at their meeting and they unanimously rejected those assertions. The Leader noted that out of the seven leaders, two are Conservative, two Labour and three Liberal Democrat. Four of the district leaders are also County Councillors. In addition, there had been a further exchange of emails in which they have re-stated their willingness to meet with the County Council, Rutland County Council and Leicester City Council and a meeting will now be held on the 6 March, 4pm at County Hall. The Leader also informed Council that the government minister leading on LGR has invited the seven district leaders to a meeting early in March. That is before the requirement to submit an interim plan on the 21 March.

Members were informed that on 24 February, the Leader stood in for the Mayor when he attended a celebration and thanks evening for the Borough’s voluntary organisations, which contribute in so many different ways to life in the community. The Leader thanked Officers for their hard work in setting up and running the event.

The Leader reminded Members that as part of the UKSPF programme, the Council extended the food hub provision from the town into the parishes. In doing so the Council have linked in with some existing voluntary action but also created new opportunities. It was explained that this is growing into other forms of assistance and mutual help. The food hub volunteers were well represented at the celebration and thanks evening and the Leader was delighted to listen to their accounts and to reflect with them on ideas for the future.

The Leader explained to Members the recent activity around the reversion of a temporary traffic order for loading restrictions in the centre of Melton Mowbray. The existing arrangements were put in place during 2020, as part of a series of measures to support the town centre during the pandemic and permitted the loading and unloading period in the pedestrian zone to be extended by one hour. The removal of that one-hour extension five years later caused great consternation among the Business Improvement District (BID), the Town Estate and the street traders, who considered not trading in Melton Mowbray at all. Members were informed that, as part of a partnership approach, the Council applied for a 12-month temporary traffic regulation order to effectively retain the one-hour extension and that this would take effect from the 11 March. In the interim Leicestershire County Council, the Highways Authority, has facilitated an emergency temporary traffic regulation order, so loading/unloading will continue to operate for the extra hour. Following engagement with market traders and town centre businesses through both the Town Estate and the BID, the Council is committed to working with partners to develop a permanent solution. The Council will support a consultation on changing the loading times in line with local business needs, whilst balancing the need to keep the High Street area safe for users and visitors alike.

The Leader referred to an article that appeared in the Melton Times the previous week written but the local MP, Edward Agar. In it he twice referenced the Leader’s friend and colleague Matthew O’Callaghan with praise. Describing him as, “long a doughty champion of Melton to whom we all owe gratitude.” The Leader asserted his agreement with the article.