The Scrutiny Committee of Melton Council met on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, to review the council's Forward Plan and Scrutiny Work Programme. The committee was also scheduled to receive a presentation on the Inward Investment Strategy.

Review of the Forward Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider the council's Forward Plan for February 2026 to May 2026. This plan outlines upcoming key decisions that the Cabinet is expected to make. Key decisions are defined as those likely to result in the council incurring expenditure or making savings of £50,000 or more, or having a significant impact on two or more wards within the borough. The Forward Plan also includes non-key decisions. The purpose of this agenda item was to identify any relevant items for inclusion in the Scrutiny Work Programme or to request further information on specific items.

The Forward Plan details a number of proposed decisions, including lease renewals, contract awards for asset valuations, and procurement of services. Several items were scheduled for discussion in private sessions, such as the lease renewal at 66/68 Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray, and the award of contracts for asset valuations. Other items, including the procurement of a service for statutory asset valuations and the relinquishing of debris screen clearance on land not owned by the council, were scheduled for open sessions.

Significant planned decisions included contract awards for lift refurbishments at Gretton Court, Wilton Court, and Bradgate Flats, and the approval of Housing Management Policies. The committee was also to consider a decision-making framework for asylum and resettlement schemes, and the disposal of surplus land at Randall Close, Barsby. Further items included the acquisition of affordable homes in Croxton Kerrial and Hose, and accessing funding from reserves for the ICT R&R programme.

The plan also listed proposed contract changes for the LICTP Partnership, and works for pitched roof replacements and external cladding upgrades for non-traditional (Swedish) properties. Servicing and maintenance of installations and equipment for statutory compliance, and the award of contracts for the Stockyard Project were also on the agenda. A new lease for 58 Snow Hill, Melton Mowbray, and UKSPF grants for Event Infrastructure Improvements and the LCC Bus Shelter Renovation Programme were also scheduled for consideration.

Other planned decisions included the procurement of a contract for EMT Vehicle Servicing, Maintenance and Repairs, and the extension of the Lightbulb Partnership. A grant agreement with Leicestershire County Council for physical activity, health, and wellbeing initiatives was also to be reviewed. The award of a contract for electrical works, and pre-contract service agreements for the Stockyard were also listed. Finally, the Stockyard Operational Budget for 2025/26 was to be reviewed.

Review of the Scrutiny Work Programme 2025/26

The committee was also scheduled to review and comment on the Scrutiny Work Programme for 2025/26. This programme outlines the areas of work that the Scrutiny Committee and its working groups are expected to undertake. The report accompanying this item details various completed and pending reviews, including work on developing a Youth Strategy, a review of Pride in our Place: Proactive Interventions, Principles and outcomes of Place Based Enforcement, and shaping the procurement specification for the Stockyard operator.

The programme also indicated planned reviews on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) transition, older persons' housing, and the Leisure Contract performance. Budget scrutiny was also a scheduled item. The report highlighted that topics for the work programme are drawn from various sources, including public concerns, audit findings, and council priorities. It also noted the importance of selecting manageable topics that add value and are of interest to the community.

Inward Investment Strategy

A presentation on the Inward Investment Strategy was scheduled to be delivered to the committee. This strategy aims to attract investment into the borough, which can lead to job creation and economic growth. The committee would have had the opportunity to understand the council's approach to securing new investment and to ask questions about its potential impact and implementation. The report pack indicated that this item would be covered by way of a presentation, with the presentation itself to follow.