The Melton Council met to discuss and approve the Melton Mowbray Town Centre Design Guidance Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), aiming to enhance the town centre's appeal and functionality, and also formally recognised the sacrifice and bravery of armed forces during the war with Japan 80 years ago. Councillors also approved the Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25, the Reinstatement of Melton Country Park Bridge, and the Safer Melton Partnership Strategic Plan.

Here's a breakdown of the key items discussed:

Melton Mowbray Town Centre Design Guidance Supplementary Planning Document

The council approved the adoption of the Melton Mowbray Town Centre Design Guidance SPD¹, a document intended to provide detailed design guidance for the town centre, including public spaces, shop fronts and wayfinding. The SPD is meant to complement the Melton Local Plan and will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications in the town centre. The document aims to deliver on the council's corporate strategy, which focuses on improving the town centre through the development and implementation of a town centre design guide. It also seeks to support the retention and enhancement of heritage features within the Melton Mowbray Conservation Area, which has been designated as 'at risk' by Historic England.

A public consultation on the draft SPD took place between 21 May and 2 July 2025, and a market stall was held at Melton Mowbray market on 17 June 2025 to gather feedback. According to the covering report, 43 responses were received, and these were taken into consideration in the final version of the SPD.

The covering report notes that the SPD includes guidance on:

• Street furniture
• Colour schemes
• Landscaping/ Greening
• Surfaces/ Materials
• Wayfinding signage
• Street lighting
• Shopfronts

The council delegated authority to the Director of Place and Prosperity, Lydia Rusling, to make minor typographical, factual or formatting updates to the SPD, in consultation with Councillor Margaret Glancy, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services.

Recognition of the 80th Anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day)

The council formally recognised the sacrifice and bravery of armed forces during the war with Japan 80 years ago, remembering the lives lost in defence of Britain and its allies. Councillor David Chubb, seconded by Councillor Ronan Browne, brought the motion forward.

During the debate, Councillor Mike Brown, Leader of the Labour Group, stated that the Labour Group supported the motion, reminding members that service people were fighting for peace. Councillor Pip Allnatt, Leader of the Council, thanked Councillors Chubb and Browne for bringing forward the motion, stating that it was important that everyone remembers VJ day and that no-one should ever forget the horrors of war. Councillor Joe Orson provided a family anecdote relating to the motion, and Councillor Marilyn Gordon stated that she agreed with the motion and informed Members that the Holy Spirit wants peace. Councillor Leigh Higgins also provided a family anecdote, reminding Members that the soldiers were fighting for peace and a better world.

Approval of the Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25

The council approved the Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25. Councillor Sarah Cox, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources, presented the Cabinet recommendations to the council. No comments were received.

Reinstatement of Melton Country Park Bridge

The council agreed to add the reinstatement of the bridge at Melton Country Park to the Capital Programme, with a budget of £200,000. The funding will come from the council's insurance contribution, allocations from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund², Rural England Prosperity Fund³, relevant Section 106 contributions⁴ and capital receipts. Councillor Margaret Glancy, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance, Environment and Regulatory Services, presented the Cabinet recommendations to the council, which were seconded by Councillor Pip Allnatt, Leader of the Council. During the debate, members discussed how the bridge could have been swept away by floods, with it being noted that water had damaged the bridge over a number of years and that the force of the floods was strong enough to sweep it away. A member asked whether local contractors would be able to support the reinstatement of the bridge, and was told that the works would go out to tender and that local contractors would be encouraged to bid for the work. There was also a discussion regarding the payout from the insurer, with the Portfolio Holder stating that the council did not settle for the first offer. The Chair of Audit and Standards added that he was reassured that the council had the best deal out of the insurer.

Approval of the Safer Melton Partnership Strategic Plan

The council approved and adopted the Safer Melton Partnership Strategic Plan for the period 2025 – 2030. They also delegated authority to the Director for Housing and Communities, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources, to make minor non-material version changes as required to reflect the changing needs, trends and priorities for the Partnership. Councillor Sarah Cox, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance, Property and Resources, presented the Cabinet recommendations to the council, which were seconded by Councillor Pip Allnatt, Leader of the Council. No comments were received.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2024/25

The council noted the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024/25. Councillor Mike Brown, Leader of the Labour Group and Chair of Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report and moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor Allen Thwaites.

During the debate, Councillor Pip Allnatt, Leader of the Council, thanked the Scrutiny Committee for their work throughout the year, adding that Scrutiny had perfected the process of constructive review and the function had been a great support for the council. Councillor Elaine Holmes stated that the Chair does an excellent job at Chairing the Committee and that he gives every Member the right to speak, adding that the Cabinet and the Council should take on board the recommendations and comments of the Scrutiny Committee.

Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2024/25

The council noted the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2024/25. Councillor Leigh Higgins introduced the report and moved the recommendation, which was seconded by Councillor James Mason. No comments were received.

Censure Report from the Standards Sub-Committee

The council formally censured Councillor Marilyn Gordon in relation to the findings of the Standards Sub-Committee. Councillor Leigh Higgins introduced the censure report from the Standards Sub-Committee and moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor James Mason.

The council formally noted that it was inappropriate for Councillor Gordon to refer to a Council Officer when speaking during a debate on a report at its meeting on 18 April 2024, with the comments not relating to the Officer's role but referring to their personal characteristics, having no relevance to the matter under debate. The council also noted that whilst Councillor Gordon stated that she did not intend to cause offence, her comments amounted to bullying and caused significant distress to the Officer concerned, bringing Councillor Gordon's role into disrepute since public confidence in her ability to discharge her responsibilities has been undermined.

During the debate, Councillor Gordon clarified the mountain out of a molehill comment she had made to the investigator. Another Member explained that the public expects Members to adhere to high standards in public life and that the comments made fell below the standards expected.

Appointment of Independent Persons - Standards Procedure

The council appointed the following people as Independent Persons to perform the roles set out in the Localism Act 2011⁵ and the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 with effect from 24 July 2025 for a term of office until the Annual Meeting of Council in May 2029:

• Richard Gough
• Michael Gibson
• Laurie Faulkner
• Mark Shaw
• Gordon Grimes
• Matthew Johnson
• Michael Chad Smith

The Monitoring Officer presented the Appointment of Independent Persons – Standards Procedure report to Council. Councillor Pip Allnatt, Leader of the Council, moved the recommendations of the report, which were seconded by Councillor Margaret Glancy, Deputy Leader of the Council. No comments were received.

Police and Crime Panel Representative

The council appointed Councillor Sharon Butcher to be the council's representative on the Police and Crime Panel, and Councillor Sarah Cox to be the council's substitute representative on the Police and Crime Panel.

The Monitoring Officer presented the Police and Crime Panel Representative report to Council. Councillor Pip Allnatt, Leader of the Council, moved the recommendations of the report, which were seconded by Councillor Margaret Glancy, Deputy Leader of the Council. No comments were received.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report 2024/25

The council noted the progress made in meeting the council's Public Sector Equality Duty⁶ and future commitments as outlined in the report. Councillor Steven Carter, Portfolio Holder for Customer Services, Communities and Helping People, presented the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Annual Report 2024/25 to Council and moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Allnatt. No comments were received.