Agenda item

·       Approval of Melton Town Centre Vision

Scrutiny Feedback on the Approval of Melton Town Centre Vision

The Chairman of Scrutiny Committee introduced the report advising that Scrutiny Committee had considered a presentation on the draft Town Centre Vision on 14 June 2022. The following was highlighted:

·       Initially, the Committee had not been aware that the Vision was a background document.  However, later in the meeting, it was noted that it was so and would be used to steer the development of the town centre over the next 10 years.

·       The Vision document was accompanied by an action plan of key projects and activities to be delivered and supported by partner organisations.

·       The Vision will help direct investment and funding for the delivery of these projects.

·       It was explained to Members that the Vision evidenced the elements identified by the stakeholder consultation events, which would support the Council when bids are made for external funding.

·       Members had expressed concerns over the proposed use of consultants on projects within the Vision which had no chance of progressing, although it was explained to Members that consultants would be procured using the correct procedure and would only be used where there was not the appropriate skill set within the Council. The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity confirmed that consultants would not be used on such projects.

·       Members questioned the funding source of the projects and were informed that external funding would have to be sourced for them.  It was explained if there was no funding, then the projects would not proceed.

·       The Committee expressed disappointment that the Council had not successfully engaged with the landlords of the Bell Centre before inserting the project into the Vision.  It was explained that the project was included within the Vision because it had been identified as a priority through the stakeholder consultations.  2 Councillors had since made contact with the landlords and there should not be any future problems in contacting them.

·       A Member commented that there should be more focus on youth services within the Vision, as there were references to the lack of provision for young people.

·       The comment was made that the Vision was a good document, which needed to be a bit more focused.  However, it was explained that the Vision evidenced the elements that the stakeholders believed to be important for the regeneration of the town centre.

·       Members stated they were pleased that Pera Business Park had been included within the Vision as it had huge potential.

·       Car parking was referenced within the Vision. However, Members commented there was not a clear strategy or agenda. In response to a Member question, the Regeneration Manager had advised that he would confirm what was likely to be spent on the strategy for car parking and what had already been spent.

·       Concern was raised that the Vision could lead to more investment for the Cattle Market, thereby directing resources away from the regeneration of the town centre.

·       The comment was made that Melton was regarded as a rural capital of food.  However, the food offer was limited and that it was correct that the Vision focus on enhancing the food offer.

·       Councillors commented they were concerned with some of the language of the document, specifically the reference to the economy being low wage.  It was felt that this had the potential to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

·       The Committee questioned the short timeframe for considering the Vision and the associated Levelling Up Fund and UK Shared Prosperity Fund bids.  However, it was explained by officers that the timeframe for the bids, as announced by central government was short and that there was a huge amount of work to do.

·       To date, there had been no answer to any of the questions raised at the meeting.

The Scrutiny Committee Chairman raised the following additional questions:

·       Should the stock yard be successful it would generate more income. Would the Council receive a reasonable share of this or only a small portion with the majority going to Gilstream?

·       Was there a procurement on the King Street building and if so, had due diligence been carried out?

In relation to 2 of the points highlighted above, the Chairman commented that reference within the Vision to Melton’s economy being low wage was factual information and clarified that the Council had included the Bell Centre project within the Vision without prior engaged with the landlords because it formed part of the strategy.

The Portfolio Holder for Growth and Prosperity, Councillor Rob Bindloss thanked the Chairman and Members of the Scrutiny Committee for the report and apologised for the confusion on the purpose of the draft Town Centre Vision. The feedback from Scrutiny Committee raised a number of points, which would add value to the final document.  Councillor Bindloss clarified that consultants would be used should there be a need for specific expertise and advised that answers to the questions raised by Scrutiny Committee referred to above would be followed up after this meeting and responses provided to Members.

Lee Byrne, Regeneration Manager, responded to the Scrutiny Committee Chairman’s 2 additional questions that were raised at the meeting. He advised that any agreements in place at when the stockyard buildings become operational would be adhered to and the Council would receive its share of income generated, as per those agreements. There was no procurement on the King Street building, which was owned by the Town Estate. They are looking at potentially selling or come to a coming to an arrangement with Brockleby’s Pies for the building, to enable the Council to proceed with the bid. This was not within the Council’s remit but was being monitoring closely to ensure that an accurate bid was submitted.

Cabinet AGREED to have regard to the Scrutiny Committee’s feedback.