This week in Melton:

Council's Property Portfolio Under Scrutiny: Debt Reduction and Future Plans

The Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday, 22 October 2026, to review the performance of the council's Corporate Property and Assets Service. The committee heard about significant improvements made over the past two years, including a substantial reduction in outstanding debt and enhanced estate management. However, discussions also highlighted concerns about transparency and the long-term strategy for the council's property portfolio.

Debt Slashed, But Questions Remain

The Corporate Property and Assets team reported a remarkable 69.5% reduction in outstanding debt, from £213,000 to £65,000. This was achieved through stronger recovery procedures and targeted interventions. Councillor Pip Allnatt commended the staff, describing the previous situation as a complete shambles.

However, Councillor Sarah Cox raised concerns about potential future debt write-offs, emphasizing the need to prevent such situations from recurring. The committee also sought clarity on how much of the debt reduction was due to actual collection versus write-offs. While the team assured members that measures are in place to prevent regression, the exact breakdown of collected versus written-off debt was to be provided later.

The council's commercial property portfolio, valued at approximately £53 million and comprising 78 assets, generates around £1.5 million in annual income. While occupancy rates are high at 91.3%, questions were raised about the yield from the portfolio and opportunities for further income maximisation through lease renewals and rent reviews.

View the Scrutiny Committee meeting details here.

Business Improvement District (BID) Ballot Process Sparks Debate

A key point of contention during the Scrutiny Committee meeting was the process surrounding the upcoming Business Improvement District (BID) ballot. Councillor Pip Allnatt expressed strong concerns that the Cabinet meeting to discuss the council's response to the ballot was scheduled just two days before the ballot closed. He argued this left insufficient time for proper scrutiny and proposed that the committee recommend the Cabinet abstain from voting due to the lack of due process.

Councillor Sarah Cox seconded the proposal, stating that the BID decision is a major one for the town and should have been subject to more thorough discussion. The committee voted in favour of this proposal, with two members voting in favour and none against. This decision highlights the tension between the need for timely decision-making and the importance of democratic scrutiny, particularly for initiatives that have a significant financial impact on local businesses.

The Cabinet is scheduled to discuss its response to the BID ballot on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The report for this meeting recommends that the council votes in favour of the BID, citing its positive impact on town centre vitality and successful events. However, the Scrutiny Committee's recommendation to abstain due to process concerns adds a layer of controversy to this decision.

View the Cabinet meeting details here.

Town Council Proposal Re-emerges Amidst Procedural Questions

The potential establishment of a town council for Melton was also a significant topic of discussion. Councillor Pip Allnatt raised concerns that the issue had been dropped without sufficient explanation or democratic debate, despite a previous council decision to undertake preliminary work, including a public survey. He argued that the matter should be on the council's work programme and that the Cabinet should not dismiss such a proposal due to inconvenience.

The Chair, Councillor Mike Brown, agreed to raise the issue with the Cabinet and Chief Executive to seek clarification on the council's current stance. Councillor Marilyn Gordon voiced concerns about whether a town council would truly represent a cross-section of the community, given Melton's size. Councillor Siggy Atherton provided clarification on the powers of town councils in the context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). The committee agreed to request clarification on the council's position regarding the town council proposal. This discussion underscores the importance of transparency and democratic engagement when considering significant structural changes to local governance.

View the Scrutiny Committee meeting details here.

Other Matters

King Street and Snow Hill Properties: Progress and Concerns

During the Scrutiny Committee meeting, updates were provided on vacant properties at King Street and Snow Hill. For King Street, a property with significant heritage value, the council is pursuing funding from the Historic England buildings at risk fund. This is a crucial step to address the building's dilapidated state and ensure its future sustainability. The outcome of this funding application will be vital for preserving a key piece of Melton's heritage.

At Snow Hill, two vacant units are being assessed for necessary repairs before they can be re-let. Concerns were raised about potential challenges in re-letting these units, including the cost of repairs and whether current rents are competitive. The council is undertaking structural reports to determine the extent of works required.

View the Scrutiny Committee meeting details here.

This week in Melton:

Council Joins Legal Fight Against Government Reorganisation Plans

Melton Borough Council has decided to join a legal challenge against the government's controversial plans for local government reorganisation in Leicestershire. The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, saw councillors vote to initiate Judicial Review proceedings to contest the Secretary of State's decision made on 16 July 2026.

This move signals a strong stance against the proposed changes, which could significantly alter the structure of local governance across the county. While the immediate financial exposure is expected to be modest, the potential long-term financial implications could be substantial. The decision to join the legal challenge was made to protect the council's legal position within strict time limits.

Councillor Robert Child, Deputy Leader, expressed support for joining other Leicestershire authorities, suggesting a population-based cost-sharing approach to mitigate financial risks. Councillor Alison Freer voiced her reluctance to engage in legal action but acknowledged its potential necessity if the process is flawed. The council's commitment to working collaboratively with other districts was also highlighted as a key factor in this decision.

The government's current pause in the implementation programme means the legal challenge will proceed while further clarity is sought. The council has pledged to keep residents updated as the situation develops.

View the Cabinet meeting details here.

Solar Farm Application Deferred Amidst Concerns Over Landscape Impact

A significant decision was made by the Planning Committee on Thursday, 15 October 2026, regarding an application for a 45-megawatt solar photovoltaic farm north of Brentingby. The committee voted to defer the decision, citing concerns about the visual impact on the surrounding village and the need for a redesign of the compound and solar panels.

The debate highlighted the growing tension between the national drive for renewable energy and the protection of local landscapes. Objectors, including ward member Councillor David Chubb, raised concerns about the industrialisation of the countryside and the potential harm to heritage assets. The cumulative impact of multiple solar farm applications in the area was also a significant point of discussion.

Councillor Alan Thwaites proposed the deferral, arguing for a redesign to lessen the impact on the adjacent village. This motion was seconded by Councillor Elaine Holmes. While the applicant, Windel Solar 12 Ltd, presented the scheme's benefits, including clean electricity generation and biodiversity net gain, councillors remained unconvinced about the visual impact.

The deferral means the application is unlikely to return to the committee for a decision due to impending changes in delegation rules. This outcome underscores the challenges councils face in balancing national policy objectives with local community concerns.

View the Planning Committee meeting details here.

Homelessness Strategy and Temporary Accommodation Policies Approved

The Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, saw the approval of amendments to the Melton Borough Council Homelessness Strategy 2024-2029 and its associated action plan. The strategy now aligns with the Government's National Plan to End Homelessness and updated statutory guidance.

Key priorities of the strategy include:

• Reducing demand for emergency support.
• Increasing positive outcomes for homeless households.
• Minimising the use of expensive emergency accommodation.
• Better meeting the needs of those with complex needs.
• Ending rough sleeping.

In addition, the Cabinet approved the Melton Borough Council Suitability of Temporary Accommodation Policy. This policy sets out clear procedures for assessing, procuring, and allocating temporary accommodation, aiming to ensure it is fair, consistent, and legally compliant. This is particularly vital for vulnerable households, ensuring their safety and well-being while they are in temporary housing. The policy aims to strengthen safeguards and manage increasing demand and cost pressures effectively.

View the Cabinet meeting details here.

Other Matters

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) Under Review

The Cabinet received an update on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). Officers are currently assessing the evidence base regarding the number, location, and impacts of HMOs and shared housing across the borough. Authority has been delegated to the Director for Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to decide if further controls, such as an Article 4 Direction, are necessary. This review is important for ensuring the quality and suitability of shared housing for residents.

View the Cabinet meeting details here.

This week in Melton:

Council Pledges to Make Melton Accessible for All

Melton Borough Council has unanimously committed to making the town more accessible for everyone, with a particular focus on disabled and elderly residents. This significant decision, made at the Council meeting on Thursday, 24 September 2026, will see a comprehensive review of the council's infrastructure, services, and decision-making processes to ensure greater inclusivity.

Key actions agreed upon include:

• Increased Blue Badge Parking: More accessible parking spaces will be provided at St Mary's Car Park, with a review to ensure existing bays meet the required standards.
• Action Plan Development: The council will create a dedicated accessibility action plan with clear timelines for improvements.
• Staff and Councillor Training: Training will be rolled out to ensure all council staff and elected members are better informed about disability and accessibility issues.
• Co-production with Disabled Residents: The council has committed to working directly with disabled residents to shape these improvements, ensuring that changes meet real-world needs.

This move is a vital step towards creating a town where everyone can participate fully in community life. For individuals with mobility challenges, this could mean easier access to shops, services, and public spaces, reducing isolation and improving independence.

View the Council meeting details here.

High Street Revitalisation and Economic Growth Take Centre Stage

Melton's high street and local economy are set for a boost following a unanimous decision by the Council on Thursday, 24 September 2026, to approve a motion aimed at revitalising town and village centres. This initiative signals a proactive approach to supporting local businesses and attracting investment.

The plan includes:

• Business Needs Audit: A thorough audit of town and village centres will be conducted to understand the specific needs of businesses and identify opportunities for investment.
• Investment Prospectus: A High Street Investment Prospectus will be developed to attract new businesses and investors to Melton.
• Incentives for Vacant Premises: The council will explore incentives to encourage the occupation of long-term vacant properties, breathing new life into empty shop fronts.
• Leveraging Local Assets: The plan will focus on enhancing Melton's unique food, farming, and heritage assets to increase tourism and local spending.
• Annual Scorecard: A High Street and Visitor Economy Scorecard will be introduced to measure the success of these initiatives.

This strategy is crucial for ensuring the long-term viability of Melton's high streets, providing a more vibrant and prosperous environment for residents and visitors alike. For small businesses and independent traders, this could mean increased footfall and greater support, helping them to thrive.

View the Council meeting details here.

Council to Support Memorial for 11th Parachute Battalion

Melton Borough Council has formally agreed to support the creation of a permanent memorial to the 11th Parachute Battalion, recognising Melton's historical connection to airborne forces during World War II. The decision, made at the Council meeting on Thursday, 24 September 2026, will see the council working with the Remember The XIth CIC and Melton Town Estate to bring this important commemoration to fruition.

The memorial is planned for unveiling in 2027, and the council will provide practical assistance, promotional support, and help identify funding opportunities. This initiative aims to:

• Commemorate Wartime Service: Honour the bravery and sacrifice of the 11th Parachute Battalion.
• Strengthen International Ties: Foster friendship with the people of Arnhem and the Netherlands, where the battalion saw significant action.
• Educate Future Generations: Promote the history of the battalion and Melton's airborne heritage, particularly among young people.

This memorial will serve as a lasting tribute, ensuring that the contributions of these soldiers are remembered and that the strong bonds between Melton and the Netherlands are celebrated.

View the Council meeting details here.

Planning Decisions Streamlined Under New National Rules

Significant changes to how planning applications are processed were approved by the Council on Thursday, 24 September 2026. These amendments to the Council's Constitution are in response to mandatory national requirements that will come into effect from 31 October 2026.

The new regulations will mean:

• Officer Decision-Making: A greater number of planning functions will be discharged by officers, with limited circumstances for applications to be referred to the Planning Committee.
• Gateway Assessment: Certain applications will undergo a gateway assessment to determine if they require committee review.
• Committee Focus: The Planning Committee's role will be refined, focusing on applications with significant local or planning matters.

While these changes aim to streamline the planning process, concerns were raised during the debate about the potential reduction in democratic scrutiny. Amendments were agreed upon to ensure greater visibility of decisions made under the new regime and to allow for more comprehensive debates at planning committee meetings. The substantive motion, incorporating these amendments, was carried with 19 votes in favour, 4 against, and 3 abstentions.

View the Council meeting details here.

Other Matters

Internal Audit Services to Continue with North Northamptonshire Council

The Council approved the delegation of its internal audit function to North Northamptonshire Council for a further two years, until 31 March 2029. This decision, made at the Council meeting on Thursday, 24 September 2026, ensures the continued provision of a high-performing and cost-effective internal audit service, which is vital for maintaining robust financial controls and governance.

View the Council meeting details here.

Committee Memberships Updated

Following requests from the Labour Group, the Council approved updates to committee memberships at its meeting on Thursday, 24 September 2026. These changes reflect the political balance of the council and ensure that groups are represented on various committees.

View the Council meeting details here.

This week in Melton:

Licensing Decisions: Balancing Public Safety with Trade Needs

This week, the Melton Council's Licensing Committee (Taxi and General) and Licensing Committee (Alcohol and Gambling) convened on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, to review the performance of the council's licensing team. The reports presented offer a detailed look at the volume of licences processed and the enforcement activities undertaken, with a clear focus on public safety and welfare.

Taxi and General Licensing: A Busy Year

The Licensing Committee (Taxi and General) reviewed the 2025-2026 performance report, which detailed the processing of 240 licences and registrations. The team managed a significant workload across various areas, including:

• Taxis and Private Hire: Swift processing times were noted for vehicle and driver licences, with an average turnaround of just one day. The report highlighted that the introduction of 1, 2, or 3-year licences in 2021 had been welcomed by the trade, though the trade had requested that 1- and 2-year options become routine, which would have cost implications.
• Animal Welfare: 39 animal welfare licences were issued, with over 81% of licensed premises achieving a high star rating.
• Invasive Treatments: 17 individual registrations for treatments like tattooing and semi-permanent makeup were processed in less than a day on average.
• Enforcement: 50 complaints were investigated, with 39 relating to taxi licensing. The team also worked with the Wolverhampton Licensing Team to address issues with Wolverhampton-plated drivers.

Councillor Sharon Butcher raised important questions about the notification of neighbours when dangerous dogs are boarded at kennels. While licensed kennels have procedures for animal welfare and staff safety, there is no legal requirement to notify neighbours unless there are statutory nuisance issues like excessive noise. This highlights a potential gap in communication that can cause concern for residents, particularly when dealing with animals that may pose a risk.

The committee also confirmed the minutes of a previous meeting, with a minor amendment clarifying the importance of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) for an ageing population, and that their licensing should be free.

View the Licensing Committee (Taxi and General) meeting details here.

Alcohol and Gambling Licensing: Ensuring Responsible Operations

The Licensing Committee (Alcohol and Gambling) also reviewed the 2025-2026 performance report, detailing the processing of 466 licences and registrations. The report underscored the licensing objectives: preventing crime and disorder, promoting public safety, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm for alcohol licensing, and similar objectives for gambling.

Key figures included:

• Premises Alcohol Licences: 117 received, including new premises and transfers.
• Temporary Event Notices (TENs): 173 received, with two rejected and two withdrawn due to representations from environmental health or police, or exceeding occupancy limits.
• Society Lottery Registrations: 60 received, with processing times reduced to less than one day.

Enforcement activities included 14 complaints investigated, joint visits with the police, and a night-time licensing compliance exercise that found overall good compliance, though some premises had paperwork deficiencies. The upcoming implementation of Martyn's Law (Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025) in 2027 was also noted, which will strengthen the security of public premises and events.

Councillor Marilyn Gordon inquired about support for individuals with alcohol or gambling problems. It was clarified that while the licensing team consults with support agencies, they are not direct providers of such support and would signpost individuals to appropriate organisations. This points to the importance of a coordinated approach to public health issues, with different agencies playing their part.

View the Licensing Committee (Alcohol and Gambling) meeting details here.

Crime and Disorder: A Stronger Community Safety Approach

On Thursday, 17 September 2026, the Scrutiny Committee reviewed the Crime and Disorder Annual Report 2026. The report highlights that community safety arrangements in Melton are strong and effective, with the Safer Communities Team managing a significant increase in casework.

The team's proactive approach focuses on anti-social behaviour (ASB), environmental crime, and tackling county lines activity. Partnership working with agencies like the police and Melton BID is identified as a key strength, leading to reduced community tensions. The report details successful interventions, including closure orders against properties involved in drug dealing and ASB, and prosecutions for fly-tipping.

However, the report also notes a significant increase in demand for the Safer Communities Team's services since 2022, widening the gap between demand and available resources. Despite this, the team recorded a substantial increase in total actions undertaken. The use of CCTV was also highlighted, noting its value but also significant maintenance costs.

Councillor Mike Brown, Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, raised concerns about the need to review the council's corporate plan and priorities, particularly in light of the pause in Local Government Reorganisation and current financial challenges. This suggests a need for careful consideration of resource allocation to ensure essential services like community safety can continue to be delivered effectively.

View the Scrutiny Committee meeting details here.

Planning Committee Approves Hand Car Wash Amidst Resident Concerns

The Planning Committee met on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, and approved a planning application for a hand car wash at Midland House, 1 Norman Way, Melton Mowbray. The decision was made despite initial objections from Leicestershire County Council Highways and Environmental Health officers, which were later resolved through revised plans and conditions.

More than 10 public objections were received, raising concerns about visual appearance, noise, upkeep, impact on the Conservation Area, signage, lighting, traffic, and environmental issues. Residents also voiced worries about the loss of amenity for nearby residents and potential conflict with local planning policy.

The committee approved the application with a tied vote, with the Chair, Councillor Christopher Evans, exercising his casting vote in favour. The decision aligns with the council's priority of Delivering sustainable and inclusive growth and various policies within the Melton Local Plan.

The committee also noted the introduction of The Town and Country Planning (Discharge of Local Planning Authority Functions) (England) Regulations 2026, which will introduce a National Scheme of Delegation for planning functions from 31 October 2026. This will mean that many planning decisions previously made by councillors will be determined by officers, potentially reducing the number of applications brought before the committee.

View the Planning Committee meeting details here.