We asked, you said, we did

We need to replace the payment machines in our car parks.

To help deliver a service that works best for our community and procure suitable machines, we wanted to understand how you currently pay for parking and which payment options you would like to see available in the future.

The results showed that our community values a range of payment methods.

While the most popular option was “contactless, card and app payments only” (37.49%), the results also showed significant support for payment methods that continue to include cash (58.78%).

• 37.49% preferred machines offering contactless, card and app payments only (no cash payments).
   
• 31.89% preferred machines offering cash, contactless and card payments only (no app payments).
   
• 26.89% preferred machines offering cash, contactless, card and app payments.
   
• 3.73% had no preference.

The findings highlight the importance of providing a service that offers a range of payment options to meet the needs of our diverse community and visitors to the town.

We have reviewed the survey results alongside parking usage data and guidance from partner organisations.

This information will help shape the specification for our replacement parking machines and inform the procurement process, where the council will aim to provide a range of payment options including cash, card and app payments.

Whether you would be supportive of a town council being established for Melton Mowbray and if you were would you prefer this to be considered now by Melton Borough Council or to wait until after a new unitary council is established.

We also asked you if lived in the town or in the parishes and that if having considered the potential benefits, would you be prepared to pay additional Council Tax to fund the ongoing costs of a town council.

The results showed that of the 117 people who responded:

• 66.67% were in favour of a town council being established, whereas 23.08% said they were not and 10.26% were unsure 

• 63.25% wanted us to look at this now, whereas 21.37% did not and 15.38% were unsure or did not answer the question

• 31.62% would be willing to pay more Council Tax, whereas 27.35% would not and 41.03% were unsure or did not answer the question

• 72.65% lived in the town with 25.64% in the parishes with 1.71% living outside of the borough.

The findings show some support for a town council being established in Melton Mowbray with some support for this being looked at now. In terms of paying for a town council, this was more split with the majority being unsure or not being willing to do this. Of those that responded nearly 3 in 4 lived in the town.

It was planned for these results to be discussed at a Council meeting in the Autumn of 2026. However, following the recent pause of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) by the Government, these survey results will now be discussed by our members at a future Council meeting. They will determine the way forward on this proposal when clarification has been received on the timescales for LGR and what this means for the future of Melton Borough Council.

The Town Centre Perception Survey covered questions around the following;

• Cleanliness and maintenance
• Signage and accessibility 
• Green spaces and public amenities
• Community spirit and town centre activity 
• Culture, heritage and events 
• Melton Country Park
• Improvements that would enhance the town centre experience 

• You wanted better signage and easier navigation around the town centre. 
• You wanted continued investment in public spaces and town centre infrastructure. 
• You wanted more opportunities to learn about Melton heritage and history. 
• You wanted more events and activities throughout the year. 
• You highlighted the importance of Melton Country Park and opportunities to improve facilities and accessibility. 
• You wanted cleaner, greener, and better maintained public spaces. 

Investing in the town centre 

• Delivered Town Centre Improvements such as additional weed treatment and removal, 10 new litter bins and 31 renovated benches. 
• Adopted the award-winning Town Centre Design Guide. 
• Completed a Conservation Area Appraisal. 
• Created an Inward Investment Strategy.
• Established a project to invest in more greenery, more seating and active travel by delivering a programme of works to Windsor Street Bike Park which includes renovating bike parking, planting, seating and picnic facilities

Supporting culture and heritage 

• Commissioned a Cultural Appraisal. 
• Established a Cultural Stakeholder Group. 
• Submitted a Town of Culture application, generating positive media attention.
• Proposals to include a Cultural Hub at Stockyard 

Supporting events and vibrancy 

• Awarded funding to improve event infrastructure. 
• Supported community, cultural and heritage events. 
• Sponsored Melton BID Awards 2026. 

Investing in Melton Country Park and green spaces 

• Completed bridge replacement 
• Refreshed bird hides. 
• Created a new wildflower garden, deepening the Letters to Heaven initiative. 
• Planted a ‘Tiny Forest’ 
• Progressed the Country Park Action Plan

Creating a cleaner and greener Melton 

• Supported maintenance and cleansing activity. 
• Worked alongside volunteer groups and community organisations. 

Making Melton more accessible 

• Began engaging with businesses across the borough through a dedicated Business Accessibility Survey, creating a clearer understanding of current provision and identifying opportunities to improve accessibility for residents, visitors and employees. 

We asked for your views on our Promoting Responsible Dog Ownership Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and whether it should be extended for another three years.

The PSPO includes four separate orders, each covering a different aspect of dog control and responsible ownership:

1. Dog fouling in specified areas
2. Failing to produce a device or other means of removing dog faeces when requested
3. Dogs on lead by direction
4. Dog exclusion

We wanted to hear your views on each of these orders and our proposal to extend them.

Each part of the order received strong support:

• Dog fouling in specified areas – 98.39% supported retaining powers to tackle dog fouling.
• Failing to produce a device or other means of removing dog faeces when requested – 91.94% supported retaining powers to request dog walkers show they can clean up after their dog.
• Dogs on lead by direction – 98.39% supported retaining powers to require dogs to be placed on a lead when directed.
• Dog exclusion in enclosed children’s play areas – 98.39% supported retaining powers to prohibit dogs from entering enclosed play areas.

Based on your feedback, we have extended the PSPO for another three years, until 2029. This gives us and the police additional powers to tackle anti-social and irresponsible dog ownership, helping keep our communities clean and residents safe.

Using the feedback from our consultation in November 2023-January 2024 we developed a Regulation 19 Pre-submission Local Plan update. 

Before submitting this to the Secretary of State we wanted to give you a chance to read the document and share your views.

In total, 61 responses were received from statutory and general consultees, individuals, businesses and organisations. 

All of the Pre-Submission Reg 19 Representations can be viewed on the Melton Local Plan website. 

The comments were collated and the main issues identified. 

We will send all of the responses received to the Planning Inspector as part of submission for the Local Plan examination.

Further details on the progress of the Melton Local Plan are published on the Melton Local Plan website. 

The consultation aimed to understand the needs of rural communities better. We wanted to know which services residents value, identify any gaps, and tailor our support to meet actual needs. This helps us manage expectations and work well with Members, Parish Councils, and partners to provide effective support. 

We asked residents if they would use these services locally: 

• careers advice, 

• community groups,  

• information sessions about council services,  

• health and wellbeing sessions,  

• digital clinics 

• Community Support Hub sessions 

• physical activity opportunities.  

We also asked about community issues, needed support, and what works well in their area. 

We received a total of 80 responses, with the most engagement coming from Bottesford, Sewstern, and Asfordby. Other active areas included Saltby, Gaddesby, Grimston, Kirby Bellars, and Old Dalby. 

Interest in services varied across the regions. Careers advice attracted scattered attention without a specific focus. Community groups were most popular in Gaddesby, while Saltby and Sewstern showed moderate enthusiasm. MBC information sessions appealed to residents from Bottesford, Saltby, Asfordby, and Old Dalby. Health and wellbeing sessions found favour in Sewstern and Asfordby, with some interest from Hose. Digital clinics were notably popular in Saltby/Sproxton and Sewstern, likely due to broadband issues. Saltby showed the greatest interest in community support hubs, with Bottesford and Sewstern also keen. Residents from Grimston, Sewstern, and Old Dalby expressed significant interest in physical activities. 

Community concerns were prominently focused on transport and infrastructure, particularly issues with speeding, road conditions, and parking. Limited public transport access was seen as impacting social lives and mental health, while healthcare access was hindered by a shortage of doctors and difficulty finding dentists. There was a strong desire for increased police presence to reduce crime. Housing concerns revolved around overdevelopment and a lack of affordable homes. The need for more community spaces, such as play areas and improved village halls, was also noted. Persistent broadband issues were a significant concern, along with care for the elderly, conservation, and street lighting. 

Despite the challenges, residents appreciated community events like coffee mornings and social evenings for boosting community spirit. Bin collections were praised for their reliability, and community pubs were seen as valuable social hubs. Other appreciated elements included food hubs, neighbour schemes, libraries, and church activities. Though bus services received some positive feedback, it was outweighed by criticism. 

A Rural Connections Showcase took place in Buckminster, inviting local residents from nearby villages to explore the services provided by our partners and to determine if they would like these offerings to be available in their communities. 

In addition to this event, we have also established: 

• Yoga Classes in Sewstern 

• Walking Group in Asfordby 

• Rural Connection Drop-in in Bottesford- featuring our Customer Services Team, Digital Clinic, and Community Support Hub 

• Digital Clinic in Buckminster 

• Further Rural Connection Drop-In sessions to be confirmed soon 

We wanted to gain feedback from residents, workers, and visitors to Melton Mowbray Town Centre to understand their views on: 

• Cleanliness and green space satisfaction 

• Accessibility and signage 

• Street furniture and affordability 

• Community spirit and atmosphere 

• Overall strengths and areas for improvement in the town centre 

We used a mix of online and in-person engagement, including a new market stall approach, and received 271 responses (down from 367 in 2023). 

Alongside this we had additional supplementary questions which formed part of the engagement for the creation of a Town Centre Design Guide.

• Cleanliness & Green Spaces: Slight improvement in cleanliness ratings; visitors more satisfied than residents. Green space satisfaction rose significantly for both groups. A desire was shown for more visible partnership working with local volunteer groups that improve this aspect of the town. 

• Signage: Visitor satisfaction with signage decreased from 86% to 60%, yet more constructive feedback was offered in relation to accessibility.  

• Street Furniture: Resident satisfaction improved slightly; visitor feedback was limited but leaned positive. 

• Affordability: Mixed views—shopping and eating out seen as reasonably priced, but housing and parking raised concerns 

• Retail offer: Respondents expressed a desire for more variety in retail offerings, particularly in categories like fashion and home goods. Many mention the absence of independent shops such as butchers, greengrocers and speciality food shops, which would provide a more diverse shopping experience. 

• Community Spirit and Atmosphere: Described as friendly and safe, especially on market days. However, Sundays and evenings felt quiet or “dead,” with calls for more vibrancy and diverse offerings. 

• Overall Participation: Declined by 25%, with fewer visitors responding. Weather and survey fatigue may have contributed. 

• Town Centre Design Guide: A new Town Centre Design Guide was developed and is in the process of being adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document. 

• Cleanliness and Green Spaces: Community Coordinator has worked at raising the profile and appreciation of volunteer groups like Melton Wombles and Friends of Melton Country Park. Transparency and media releases highlighting work that has gone into highlighting efforts regarding removal of graffiti. 

• Street Furniture: Just under £45k has been invested into purchasing and implementing new street furniture for the town, following guidance from the new Town Centre Design Guide. 

• Retail offer: We have worked with local businesses to create an Inward Investment Strategy which was launched at UKREIF. This has been created to help bring businesses to the town. In addition to this the Stockyard Project is underway which will encourage more food and drink businesses to the town. 

• Investment in local businesses: Approximately £302k has been awarded to Town Centre businesses via grants and initiatives in the last two years because of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

• Resource for the Town Centre: through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund we have been able to employ a Town Centre Operative to increase the capacity of maintaining green areas within the Town Centre.  

• Cleaner, Greener Melton: Acknowledging our commitment to pride in place as part of our corporate strategy, we have appointed a temporary full-time officer to help support in creating a cleaner, greener Melton. This is a cross-directorate role which will support departments across the council in mapping key assets, creating maintenance schedules, supporting volunteer groups to encourage additional opportunities, and supporting management of our allotments. 

We wanted to understand your views and thoughts on the local green infrastructure, both in Melton Borough and close by: what is it, where you access it and which is most special to you.

I was important to us to understand your views on how accessibile these areas are and how well you thought they were managed.

55 people responded to the survey and together you mentioned 174 green infrastructure geographical places throughout your answers.

Key themes identifyed from your responses are:

• All respondents indicate their appreciation for green infrastructure and recognised its importance.
• You noted your care for wildlife and the environment, as well as the related pressure on both due to development.
• You identified the need for better connectivity, this included green corridors for wildlife and better infrastructure for people, including rights of way, public footpaths, cycle infrastructure and bridleways.

The full findings of the consultation can be found in the Green Infrastructure Consultation report.

The responses were analysed by our team and were connected with the relevant sections of the Green Infrastructure Strategy & Action Plan (2025).

We asked residents to tell us if they would be interested in renting one of our garages from us. We own a number of garages around the Borough and we were interested to know what the demand from residents was. This was to help us to plan the future of the sites.

Residents told us that there was a reasonable level of demand for certain site, and none at all for others. This has shown us which sites are likely to be rented if we keep them and refurbish them. We also know which sites are not in demand, so we can consider other options for them.

The area of highest demand was for garages in Melton Mowbray, with less people interested in the surround villages. 

We have made a commitment to invest in the garage sites that most residents told us they would be interested in renting. We will invest £50,000 on two sites in 2024/25 and have committed to further investment of £25,000 per year after that.

Where there is less demand from residents to rent a garage, we will consider the options that we have available. This may include clearing the site or selling it. Any decisions to sell garage sites will be made by the Cabinet on an individual basis.

We wanted to know what you thoguht of the open spaces across our borough. We wanted to understand which were most special to you, how accessible you thought they were and how effectively you thought they were managed. 

55 people responded to the survey and you said that:

• Open spaces across the borough are widely appreciated and used, both by residents and visitors.
• You used open spaces for three keys reasons:
  • to improve your mental health, physical health and wellbeing
  • to enjoy and appreciate nature
  • for community and social interaction. 
• You would like to see an increase in accessible natural green space, parks and public gardens.
• As a secondary priority, you would like to see improved provisions for amenity green space, sports, games and play.
• There is a need to increase accessible open space, particularly in and around new housing estates.

Those who responded also noted that there were issues with particular open spaces, sharing concerns on accessibility, management, nature conservation and the environment.

The full findings of the consultation can be found in the Open Space Consultation report.

The feedback from the consultation was used as part of the evidence base for the open space quantity and access standards, which informed the Open Space Strategy and Action Plan (2025).

We asked for your views on the draft Climate Change Strategy, which has been drafted following our previous climate change consultation in 2022. We asked residents, businesses and local organisations if they agreed with the Strategy Vision, Key Principles, Key Delivery Themes, Strategy Delivery and the Approach set out in the document and whether they had any additional views to share.  

We did this to help us shape this community-based Climate Change Strategy and ensure it was fit for purpose in our local area.  

An Equalities Impact Assessment was also undertaken as part of the consultation process. 

Each area of the strategy was well supported: 

• Overall, most respondents supported the vision, as it is written or with some changes (81%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the key principles, as it is written or with some changes (77%).  

• Overall, most respondents supported the Transport and Travel Actions, as it is written or with some changes (75%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the Housing, Buildings and Built Environment Actions, as it is written or with some changes (81%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the Natural Environment and Farming Actions, as it is written or with some changes (77%) 

• Overall, most respondents supported the Greener Low Carbon Economy Actions, as it is written or with some changes (77%).  

• Overall, most respondents supported the Waste and use of resources Actions, as it is written or with some changes (88%). 

It was highlighted that the vision statement could be improved by identifying clearer targets and goals, including dates, timescales or high-level milestones (for example, for reaching net zero) to help improve accountability.  

In regard strategy delivery, there was a desire that action is needed on tackling climate change but it was recognised that there would be significant challenges ahead, given resource limitations. It was expressed that by working together and adopting this strategy, a route map to begin tackling climate change in the borough could be developed.  

Concerns were raised about the current walking and cycling infrastructure, public transport links and the access to EV charging points within the borough; and there was support to improve this.   

‘Greening’ the borough as well as Melton town was supported but it was felt that more emphasis could be placed on this as an objective, to recognise the depleted biodiversity across Leicestershire.  

Building relationships with local universities was suggested as they who have the skills in the green economy and building relationships with them to support key projects.  

In regard equalities, having reviewed the responses it is considered that there are no comments that would lead to change of the strategy.   

All comments made by respondents were read and, where appropriate, considered to help shape the final version of the Climate Change Strategy document. The revised strategy including the amendments made following the consultation was then considered and finalised by Members of the Climate Emergency Working Group.  

The final version, which you can view on our climate change webpages, was approved by Cabinet on 12th June 2024. 

To ensure the strategy can be delivered appropriately, we all have a role to play in tackling climate change and we need to work together to deliver on climate action. Following the consultation, the council will develop action plans, to prioritise this action given limited resources available.   

We wanted to know your thoughts on our Draft Corporate Strategy, which would set out our vision and aspirations for the future.  

We developed 8 Corporate Strategy Vision Statements; which shape the council’s long term vision and strategic focus until 2036. 

We asked for your feedback on these whether you agreed or disagreed that they should be included. 

We had 63 responses to the consultation which were positive about all eight statements, and it was agreed that they should be included. 

However, there were some thoughts and comments about how we could update and enhance some of the Vision statements.  

Statement 1 
Feedback suggested an overall desire to have more district wide provision and update existing leisure facilities.  

Statement 2  
You fed back to us you thought that we should include a focus on improving people’s health alongside the need for additional healthcare facilities. 

Statement 3  
Although we referenced the need to be supported by the right infrastructure, you thought we needed to include reference to having the right facilities in place as well. 

Statement 5  
It was felt that this should be more focussed on the wider town centre and tourism across the borough as a whole. 

Statement 6  
You suggested that this should highlight Melton as the Rural Capital of Food and have a focus on green infrastructure alongside canals and waterways.  

Following the comments you gave us, we updated the Draft Corporate Strategy and made changes to five out of the eight statements, as listed below.  

Statement 1  
We updated this statement to include an aspiration to include ‘facilities across the borough’.   

Statement 2  
We added to the initial aspiration with a commitment to ‘encourage activities to improve people’s health’. 

Statement 3  
We updated the original statement to include ‘supported by the right infrastructure and facilities’ 

Statement 5  
We revised this statement following your comments to be more focussed on the wider town centre and tourism across the borough as a whole ‘A bustling, vibrant and regenerated town centre, recognised as a regional destination, and supported by a thriving tourism sector’. 

Statement 6  
Following feedback around this survey we updated this aspiration to include delivering on the Rural Capital of Food and rewording the commitment to ‘maximising investment in our waterways, canals, walkways and green infrastructure’. 

This revised document went to Full Council and was approved on 8 February. 

The New Corporate Strategy 2024 –2036 came into effect on 1 April 2024. You can view it in full, including the updated vision statement online at: www.melton.gov.uk/corporatestrategy.

This was the first stage in preparing the Melton Local Plan Partial Update. We wanted to give our residents, businesses and local organisations an opportunity to view the Regulation 18 Isuues and Options document, which set out the options for the partial update. We asked you to share you views on the policy's wording.

In total, 856 responses were received from 66 respondents who represented statutory and general consultees, individuals, businesses and organisations. 

A summary of all the comments and main issues identified can be found in the Statement of Consultation (Regulation 18), which was developed to summarise and respond to all of the representations received. 

The responses were used to assist in the development of a Regulation 19 Pre-Submission Local Plan Update, which was the next step in the Local Plan Partial update. Once this was developed we also asked your views on this through our Pre-submission Local plan update consultation in January 2025. 

Further details on the progress of the Melton Local Plan are published on the Melton Local Plan website.