Agenda item

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

Two questions have been received.

There were two questions received.

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Malise Graham asked the following question:

“The Leader was quite rightly proud to represent our Council at a recent award ceremony to acknowledge the achievements of the past Council. The mantra of the current Leader is a requirement for change. Can the Leader please advise the Council, what this means and what changes he envisages?”

In responding to the question, the Leader stated that the change he is committed to make the Council more open and involve more Members before decisions are made.

The Leader added that a change of direction regarding some projects, e.g. GP Surgery and the swimming pool, were required due to the funding position local government finds itself in. However, the Leader stated that the change of direction would benefit the community in the long run.

Leader of the Opposition asked the following supplementary question.

“Does the Leader realise that as a group we're unable to blindly support uncosted ideas and aspirations as they occur and it is unfair to ask us to do.”

In responding to the question, the Leader stated that he agreed that projects have to be fully costed before implementation. That is why the doctor’s surgery proposal is being reviewed. The Leader acknowledged the proposal was reasonable at the outset but now recognises that it is not financially viable.

The Leader also stated that approved existing budgets can be reallocated. The Council had also been awarded various grants and that money was being utilised.

Councillor Ronan Browne asked the following question:

During the election campaign a number of Labour and Independent candidates stood on a platform of stating that you would both change the Levelling up Fund monies that had been secured by the previous administration and monies would be moved to be more town centre focused (although the cattle market and theatre are part of the town centre).

A number of candidates in both groups commented on Facebook at various times that they felt the cattle market investment was not something they could support, and monies should be spent in the town centre.

Can you let the Council know what you are planning to change as per comments and commitments made to the public, businesses and can you confirm if you will be investigating investment in the cattle market as commented by some candidates during the May 2023 election campaign?

In responding to the question, the Leader stated that the main issue he had with the Levelling Up Fund was the process whereby civil servants located in Whitehall are making decisions impacting localities before funds are released.

In addressing the comments of whether monies would be taken out of the cattle market (Stockyard) investment, the Leader stated that the LUF funding was secured for a specific project and central government had imposed restrictions on how the monies were spent which would of course be complied with, but that the administration would ensure that the project works for the people of Melton.

Councillor Browne asked the following supplementary question.

“Just be absolutely clear, are you going to move forward to see the project through and we're going to put to bed all the negativity that's been had from any group around it around this issue and we're going to move forward.”

The Leader confirmed that the project would proceed. There are some elements in the details that need to be reviewed and that Council would be informed of those deliberations at the appropriate time.