Melton Borough Council elects new Mayor

The Council elected Councillor Peter Faulkner as the Mayor for the coming year, who announced that the Mayor’s Charity would be CLIC Sargent, a charity dedicated to helping children and young people with cancer.

Councillor Alan Hewson was elected as Deputy Mayor.

The Annual Council meeting was carefully arranged to comply with current regulations and precautions were taken to ensure a Covid-safe meeting space for Elected Members and  the small “socially-distanced” public gallery.

During the meeting the Members agreed the Council’s Constitution, including a variety of proposed amendments to ensure the Constitution is kept up to date and reflects current best practice and legislative requirements.

Cllr Freer said “It’s good to be back holding face-to-face meetings in the Council Chamber once more. We have recently invested in new audio-visual equipment, which is a great asset and provides a positive step in terms of public access and involvement in the democratic process.

We were able to live stream this in person meeting in the same way we have been live streaming the remote meetings over the past year. This allows our residents to access the meetings in way which suits them in today’s digital world and will help us promote community involvement in council decision-making.”

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Joe Orson also announced a number of changes to the Cabinet roles saying” I am delighted to confirm that Cllr Higgins will continue in his role as Deputy Leader, and Cllr De Burle and Cllr Freer will also continue in their cabinet roles with slight adjustment to their responsibilities.  I am delighted to welcome two new colleagues to Cabinet, having split what previously was a very large portfolio.

Cllr Browne will bring his extensive expertise in housing management to the newly created Council Homes and Landlord Services Portfolio. He will oversee our continuing housing improvement journey and work with the team to establish a new Council house build programme.

With his great passion for supporting the most vulnerable, Cllr Graham will take on the newly created People and Communities Portfolio. Giving focus to the work we do with our partners to tackle inequalities, reduce crime and support our priority neighbourhoods.

I am delighted to be able to call upon such capable and experienced colleagues to join the Cabinet in these new roles.”

Councillors were appointed as Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to several Committees of the Council including Scrutiny Committee (Councillor Pat Cumbers); Planning Committee (Councillor Margaret Glancy); Audit & Standards Committee (Councillor Robert Child); and Licensing Committee (Councillor Jeanne Douglas) – full details can be found at:

https://democracy.melton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=1105

~ends~

For more information please contact:

Email: Communications@melton.gov.uk