The Scrutiny Committee of Melton Council met on Thursday 27 June 2024 to discuss the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24, review the Forward Plan for June to September 2024, and evaluate the Scrutiny Work Programme for June 2024. Key decisions included the approval of the Scrutiny Annual Report and the endorsement of the Forward Plan.

Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24

The committee reviewed and approved the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2023/24. The report highlighted the committee's achievements over the past year, including successful interventions in local planning issues and improvements in public service delivery. Councillors discussed the importance of transparency and accountability in their work, with one member stating:

Our role is to ensure that the council's decisions are made in the best interests of the community, and this report demonstrates our commitment to that principle. - Councillor

Forward Plan June 2024 - September 2024

The committee endorsed the Forward Plan for June to September 2024, which outlines the key decisions and policy reviews scheduled for the upcoming months. The plan includes significant projects such as the redevelopment of the town centre and the implementation of new waste management strategies. Councillors debated the prioritisation of these projects, with some expressing concerns about the potential impact on local businesses during the redevelopment phase.

Scrutiny Work Programme June 2024

The Scrutiny Work Programme for June 2024 was also reviewed. This programme sets out the committee's focus areas for the month, including housing, environmental sustainability, and community health initiatives. The committee agreed to allocate additional resources to investigate the rising costs of housing in the area, following reports of increased financial strain on residents.

Public Participation and Community Feedback

During the meeting, the committee also considered feedback from the public and community groups. Several residents raised concerns about the accessibility of council services, prompting a discussion on how to improve digital and physical access for all community members. The committee committed to exploring these issues further in future meetings.

Response Tracker

The Scrutiny Committee Response Tracker for June 2024 was reviewed to monitor the progress of previously raised issues. The tracker showed that several actions had been completed, including the installation of new street lighting in key areas and the resolution of long-standing parking issues.