This week in Melton:

Housing Safety and Stockyard Project Take Centre Stage for Scrutiny

The Scrutiny Committee is set to convene on Thursday, 23 April 2026, with a packed agenda focusing on critical areas of council responsibility. Residents will be keen to see how the council is ensuring the safety of its housing stock and the progress of the ambitious Stockyard project.

Housing Safety Under the Microscope

A key item will be the Housing Regulatory Compliance Annual Update. This report will detail Melton Borough Council's performance as a housing landlord, particularly in light of the Regulator for Social Housing's (RSH) 2024 C2 Regulatory Judgement. For many residents, especially those in council housing, this is a vital update on whether their homes are safe, well-maintained, and compliant with national standards. The Scrutiny Committee's role here is to ensure the council is meeting its obligations and to provide feedback to the Cabinet.

Landlord Assurance Board's First Year Reviewed

The committee will also receive the Landlord Assurance Board Annual Report. Established in April 2024, this board brings together councillors, officers, and tenants to oversee housing responsibilities. Its first full year of operation will be scrutinised, with a focus on its impact, learning, and its role in regulatory oversight and performance management. This is a crucial mechanism for tenant voices to be heard and for ensuring accountability in housing services.

Stockyard Project Progress and Future Plans

An update on the Stockyard project will provide insights into this significant Levelling Up Fund initiative. The project aims to create food and drink production hubs and event spaces. The committee will hear about the procurement of the main construction contract, the appointment of a delivery team, and the operational strategy, including the council taking on landlord responsibilities for the estate. This project has the potential to transform a key area of Melton Mowbray, and residents will be looking for assurances about its timely and effective delivery.

The committee will also review the council's Forward Plan and reflect on its work programme for the past year.

View the Scrutiny Committee meeting details here.

Council to Elect New Leader Amidst Political Shift

An extraordinary meeting of Melton Council is scheduled for Tuesday, 21 April 2026, to elect a new Leader of the Council. This follows the resignation of Councillor Pip Allnatt from the position on 2 April. The election of a new leader is a significant event, as this individual will steer the council's strategic direction and decision-making for the coming period. The process will be conducted according to the council's constitution, ensuring a formal and transparent selection.

View the Council meeting details here.

This week in Melton:

Planning Department Under Scrutiny: Efficiency Drive Continues

The Melton Council's Planning Committee convened on Thursday, 09 April 2026, to discuss the ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the council's planning department. While no specific planning applications were decided at this meeting, the committee received an update on the Planning Productivity Plan. This plan is designed to streamline processes and enhance service delivery, which directly impacts residents and developers seeking planning permission. The focus on productivity is crucial, as delays in planning decisions can affect housing development and local business growth.

The update provided insights into the progress made and any challenges encountered in implementing the plan. The discussions centred on strategies to make the planning system more efficient, ensuring that applications are handled effectively and in a timely manner. This is particularly important for vulnerable groups who may rely on timely housing approvals or the development of community facilities.

View the Planning Committee meeting details here.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Cabinet: Wednesday 15 April 2026. This meeting will cover a range of council business. View meeting details.
• Council: Tuesday 21 April 2026. This meeting will cover a broad range of council business. View meeting details.
• Scrutiny Committee: Thursday 23 April 2026. This meeting will review the council's Forward Plan and Scrutiny Work Programme. View meeting details.

This week in Melton:

Council Tightens Financial Grip: Audit Plans Approved Amidst Risk Management Focus

The Melton Council's Audit and Standards Committee met on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, to review and approve crucial plans that underpin the council's financial integrity and operational resilience. While the meeting itself was confirmed as held, no video transcript was provided, meaning we rely on the summary for details of the discussions and decisions.

The committee gave the green light to the Internal Audit Plan for 2026-27 and the External Audit Plan for 2025-26. These plans are vital for ensuring that council funds are managed responsibly and that financial reporting is accurate. The internal audit plan will guide the council's own auditors in examining the effectiveness of internal controls, risk management, and governance processes throughout the year. The external audit plan, conducted by an independent auditor, will scrutinise the council's financial statements. For residents, this means continued assurance that public money is being handled with care and accountability.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a Risk Management Update. This involved reviewing the council's approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating potential risks that could impact its ability to deliver services or achieve its objectives. The Strategic Risk Register and the Risk Management Toolkit were discussed, underscoring the council's commitment to proactive risk management. This is particularly important for vulnerable groups, as robust risk management can prevent service disruptions and ensure that support systems remain in place during challenging times.

The committee also reviewed the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report for 2025-26, summarising its activities and findings. An update on the Internal Audit Progress Report for 2025-26 was received, detailing completed audits and their outcomes. Furthermore, the committee examined the External Audit Review of Housing Benefit Subsidy for 2023-24, focusing on the accuracy and efficiency of housing benefit claims. These reviews are essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring that services, like housing benefit, are delivered fairly and effectively to those who rely on them.

View the Audit and Standards Committee meeting details here.

Other Matters

This week in Melton:

Council Approves Pay Policy, Paving Way for Next Year's Salaries

The Melton Council met on Thursday, 26 March 2026, and made a key decision regarding the council's financial framework by approving the Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27. This annual statement, a requirement under the Localism Act 2011, sets out the council's approach to employee pay. It details how the council remunerates its chief officers and its lowest-paid employees, and the ratio between these two figures.

The approved statement confirms that there are no significant changes from the previous year's policy. This means the council's commitment to maintaining a consistent approach to pay structures, including the National Joint Council (NJC) pay spine and the separate structure for Chief Officers, remains in place. Policies concerning performance-related pay, honorariums, market supplements, and other terms and conditions are also carried forward.

Crucially, the pay multiple between the highest and lowest earners has remained unchanged at 3.96. This figure is important as it reflects the council's commitment to a relatively narrow pay gap, ensuring that senior salaries are not disproportionately higher than those of its lowest-paid staff. For residents, this means a predictable approach to council staff remuneration for the upcoming financial year, with no immediate impact on the council's overall wage bill beyond standard inflationary adjustments.

The council also reviewed its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Annual Report for 2025/26. This report highlights the council's progress in fulfilling its duties under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), as mandated by the Equality Act 2010. Achievements noted include reaccreditation as a Disability Confident Leader, the launch of the Speak Out Space for hate crime support, and the inclusion of a Changing Places facility in the Stockyard development. These initiatives demonstrate the council's ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive environment for all residents and employees.

View the Council meeting details here.

Community Governance Review: Potential for a New Parish Council in Melton Mowbray

The Council also considered the potential establishment of a Parish Council for Melton Mowbray. This discussion is part of the wider Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) process and could lead to a significant change in local governance for the town.

The report outlined the process for undertaking a Community Governance Review (CGR), which involves extensive consultation with residents and stakeholders. While an informal public engagement exercise has already begun to gauge local sentiment, a formal decision on whether to proceed with a CGR will be made later in the year, following the outcome of the LGR.

The creation of a new Parish Council would mean new layers of local representation and potentially new local taxes. This could have financial implications for both Melton Borough Council and the residents of Melton Mowbray, as a parish council would have its own budget and responsibilities. The report acknowledged these potential financial impacts and the possibility that the new unitary council, post-reorganisation, may take on this matter.

This consideration highlights how local government structures can evolve, and how residents can have a say in how their local areas are governed. The outcome of this review could lead to a more localised form of governance for Melton Mowbray, with a dedicated parish council representing the town's specific needs.

View the Council meeting details here.

Other Matters

Audit and Standards Committee Gears Up for Financial Scrutiny

The Audit and Standards Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 31 March 2026. The committee will be reviewing the External Audit Plan for 2025/26, which outlines the scope and approach of the statutory audit by Grant Thornton. Key areas of focus for the audit include financial sustainability and the valuation of council assets. The committee will also receive an update on the 2023/24 Housing Benefit Audit, the Internal Audit Progress Report for 2025/26, and the draft Internal Audit Plan for 2026/27. A significant part of the meeting will be dedicated to a Risk Management Update Report, detailing the council's current strategic risks, and the committee's Annual Report for 2025/26 will also be presented. This meeting is crucial for ensuring the council's financial integrity and robust governance.

View the Audit and Standards Committee meeting details here.