Minutes:
In the absence of the Leader, the Deputy Leader provided the following update on his behalf.
“Thank you, Mr Mayor. Members, with the Leader
unable to attend this evening it falls to me to provide his update at tonight's
meeting.
Since the last meeting we've had a number of
significant and positive developments which I am pleased to be able to report.
Firstly, I'm delighted to confirm that we have been shortlisted in this year's
prestigious LGC Awards in the most improved Council category. This is fantastic
recognition of a tremendous progress we've made over recent years and I'd like
to congratulate all officers and Members for this terrific achievement. There
were over 700 submissions across 22 categories for the awards and we are one of
only five councils to have been shortlisted in this category. As finalists we
are now required to present to a judging panel in April before finding out
whether we have won in June.
Since the last Council meeting, we also had the
brilliant news regarding the success of our levelling up fund bid. This will
see Melton receive a share of £23m to invest in the stockyard development,
theatre improvements and enhance rural transport linked with Rutland. Again can
I congratulate our officers for developing such strong and credible bid. We
have recently received further details on the next steps from government and
these are currently being reviewed by the Levelling-up Fund Board, including
Leaders and Chief Executives from Rutland and Melton, met earlier this week.
Our intention is to receive a formal update at Cabinet in March with a view to
confirm acceptance of a grant at Council later that month. The Leader is also
due to attend the Audit and Standards Committee at the end of March, so we can
consider the role that committee will play in supporting effective oversight
and governance of his important project.
At Cabinet earlier this month we considered an
update on our asset development programme. Since the County Council left 18
months ago and the adoption of our hybrid working model we, like many
organizations, need less office space and therefore maintaining the status quo
is not an option and does not represent good value for money. Recognizing this
in the update on the asset development program we received in April last year,
full Council made an explicit commitment to explore commercial options for
greater utilization of Parkside so we could cut costs while also boosting the
local economy. Since then we've been reviewing options which seek to strike the
right balance between costs and benefit both for the Council and the wider
community. This work was supported by our scrutiny colleagues through a
workshop in November last year. A Cabinet report summarized the analysis and
without doubt the hotel represents an exciting and innovative option that
should be explored further. This is very an important decision and one we must
get right so, at our meeting, we agreed to build on the options appraisal
already undertaken and, before proceeding to the next stage, to bring back the
more detailed analysis on the alternate options to our June meeting. This will
include an economic impact assessment and I recognize we've got a motion on
this later in our agenda, it is worth reiterating with any final decision on
the best option for the site will be reserved for full Council in due course.
At our last Council meeting, we approved investment
in our new CCTV cameras and installation has already started and the new system
is on track to be operational next month.
Our cost of living work continues and we are
mobilizing various projects within our UK SPF investment plan with updates on
both also due to be considered at Cabinet in March.
Earlier this week and, following the success of our
Jubilee Grant scheme, we launched our Coronation Grant fund which will support
community groups, charities and Parish Councils who want to hold their own
Coronation celebrations events or projects. More details are on the website and
bids need to be submitted by Monday 20th March.
Finally, it won't, I'm sure, of escaped Members
attention that we are approaching another election in May. You will be aware
that the Election Act 2022 has introduced new requirements for voter ID and we
are promoting the new requirement widely on our social media channels. We have
also ensured coverage in the Melton Times and every household in a Borough will
receive explicit notification of a new requirement on their poll card and
council will continue to do all it can to ensure anyone who wishes to vote is
able to do so in May. On behalf of our Chief Executive and returning officer,
can I also highlight that there is a prospective candidate and agent's briefing
on the 3rd March at 5:30pm in the council chamber. The session is available to
anyone who is considering standing for elections in May. Please contact our
Elections team if you wish to reserve a place.
Thank you very much.”