The Melton Borough Council meeting on Thursday 24 September 2026 addressed several key areas, including accessibility, economic revitalization, historical commemoration, place development, internal audit services, planning delegation, and committee appointments.

Creating a Town for All People

Councillors unanimously approved a motion to improve accessibility within Melton. The motion called for a comprehensive review of the council's infrastructure, services, and decision-making processes to ensure inclusivity, particularly for disabled and elderly residents. Agreed actions include increasing Blue Badge parking spaces at St Mary's Car Park, ensuring accessible bays meet standards, and reviewing information provision for accessibility. The council committed to developing an accessibility action plan with clear timescales and providing staff and councillor training on disability and accessibility issues. The importance of co-production with disabled residents was also emphasized.

Attracting a Better High Street and Stronger Local Economy

A motion to revitalize Melton's high street and strengthen the local economy was unanimously approved. This motion proposed a comprehensive audit of town and village centers to understand business needs, identify vacant premises, and explore investment opportunities. The council will develop a High Street Investment Prospectus to attract businesses and investors and explore incentives for occupying long-term vacant premises. The motion also highlighted the importance of improving buildings and accessibility, leveraging Melton's food, farming, and heritage assets, and increasing tourism. An annual High Street and Visitor Economy Scorecard will be introduced to measure success.

Remember The XIth – Memorial to the 11th Parachute Battalion

Councillors unanimously supported a motion to formally recognize and assist in establishing a permanent memorial to the 11th Parachute Battalion, acknowledging Melton's connection to airborne forces stationed in the borough during World War II. The council resolved to work with Remember The XIth CIC and Melton Town Estate to secure the memorial's completion and unveiling in 2027, providing practical assistance, promotion, and identifying funding opportunities. The council agreed to support the 2027 unveiling as an important civic and international commemoration, inviting representatives from the Netherlands, Arnhem, Oosterbeek, and veterans' organizations. The motion also emphasized promoting the history of the 11th Parachute Battalion and Melton's airborne heritage, particularly among young people, and reaffirming the council's friendship with the people of Arnhem and the Netherlands.

Place Development (Cultural Framework and Conservation Area Appraisal)

The Council adopted the draft Cultural Framework as its strategic framework for culture-led place development across the Borough. This framework, along with the Conservation Area Appraisal, forms part of a coordinated Culture, Heritage and Place Development Programme. The Cultural Framework will guide cultural programming, partnership activity, investment priorities, and external funding bids, emphasizing the economic value of culture by supporting visitor economy growth, town center vitality, local spend, and inward investment. The framework aims to strengthen the connection between Melton's rural communities, villages, town center, and the Stockyard, recognizing the borough's agricultural heritage, local history, and creative industries as cultural assets. An amendment was agreed to include the MOT (a Norman castle) within the conservation area and a paragraph on Melton's Anglo-Saxon and Norman history.

Provision of Internal Audit Services

The Council approved the delegation of its internal audit function to North Northamptonshire Council for a further two years, until 31 March 2029. The current service was described as high-performing, offering good value for money and providing resilience and access to specialist services. This decision ensures the council continues to benefit from a consistent and expert internal audit service, supporting effective monitoring of financial controls, risk management, and governance responsibilities.

Planning Delegation Changes

Amendments to the Council's Constitution were approved to reflect significant changes to planning delegation, stemming from mandatory national requirements effective from 31 October 2026. These regulations dictate which planning functions must be discharged by officers and limit the circumstances in which applications can be referred to the Planning Committee. While a gateway assessment is introduced for certain applications, the council has retained a role for the Planning Committee, focusing on applications with significant local or planning matters. Amendments were agreed upon to ensure greater visibility of decisions taken under the new regime and to allow for more than one contribution in debates at planning committee meetings. The substantive motion, incorporating these amendments, was carried with 19 votes in favour, 4 against, and 3 abstentions.

Update to Appointments to Committees

The Council approved updates to committee memberships, reflecting changes requested by the Labour Group. Councillor Mike Brown replaced Councillor Sarah Cox as a member of both the Licensing Committee (Alcohol and Gambling) and the Licensing Committee (Taxi and General). Councillor Helen Cliff was appointed as a substitute member for Councillor Mike Brown on the Licensing Committee (Taxi and General). This decision was made to give effect to the wishes of the political groups, as required by legislation. The motion was carried unanimously.