Agenda and minutes

Members of Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters of the Agenda, and if so, to formally declare that interest.

Councillor Connolly declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the fact that his partner is employed by Adult Care Services.

Questions are invited from members of the public present at the meeting about the work of the Council and the Council’s services.

Approximately 30 minutes will be set aside for Public Question Time, if required.

                A period of thirty minutes was allocated for members of the public present at the meeting to ask questions about the work or performance of the Council or Council services.

                Topic: Waste transfer site Waterside Mill/Peel Bridge Mill, Kenyon Street, Ramsbottom – complaint from resident of Kenyon Street and business owner with premises on Kenyon Street supported by Councillor Fitzwalter. The complaint relates to excessive hours of operation by the current site operator, excessive late traffic movement and vehicle speed.

                Question: Could the Council take action regarding the alleged excessive hours of operation of the waste transfer site business on Kenyon Street, Ramsbottom? The business is alleged to have been operating outside of normal business hours, seven days a week on occasion and sometimes until 11pm. The waste transfer vehicles are alleged to have been driven too fast and to have created noise pollution for the residents of Kenyon Street. There appear to be no hours of operation conditions included in the planning consent given in 2009.

                Response: Officers will be instructed to examine the conditions of the planning consent for the waste transfer site and to consult with the Environment Agency which is responsible for the issue of a Waste Transfer Licence. The Council’s Traffic Management Unit will also be instructed to monitor traffic speed along Kenyon Street.

                Topic: Request for additional Market days being held in Ramsbottom.

                Question: Ramsbottom has held a number of successful events as a result of the work of the Local Business Group, which it is felt has increased trade to local businesses. Could the Council take action to increase the number of markets held in Ramsbottom to ensure this success develops further?

                Response: The Council is looking into the introduction of a further market franchise that would allow twelve more markets to be held in Ramsbottom with a ‘vintage’ theme. This would be in addition to the twelve ‘artisan’ market days and the other events which currently take place during the year.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2013.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2013 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Finance and Corporate Affairs submitted a report containing a Corporate Debt Policy for consideration. The Policy is a statement on how the Council and Six Town Housing will work with customers and partners to collect debts from customers. Details of case studies were attached to the report that had been taken from the trial of the draft Policy and these clearly demonstrate the benefits arising from a consistent and targeted approach to debt management.

                Delegated decision:

                That approval be given to the introduction of the Corporate Debt Policy with immediate effect.

                Reasons for the decision:

                The decision will ensure that the Council and Six Town Housing collect debts owing promptly, effectively and economically, whilst ensuring fair treatment to all debtors.

                Other options considered and rejected:

                To reject or amend the draft policy.

                (Note Councillor Gartside abstained on this matter)

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Finance and Corporate Affairs submitted a report presenting Members with a draft Medium-Term Financial Strategy for consideration.

The draft Medium-Term Financial Strategy covers the years 2015/2016 to 2016/2017 and sets out the assumptions underpinning the draft budget forecasts for those years. The report set out, at a strategic level, the challenges facing the Council in the light of the further and significant Government funding reductions announced as part of the 2013 Spending Review and suggested an initial strategic response to the position.

                Delegated decision:

                That approval be given to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy.

                Reason for the decision:

                The decision will ensure that the Council has a clear budgetary framework to take it through the challenges ahead.

                Other option considered and rejected:

                To reject or amend the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member – Environment submitted a report seeking Cabinet approval to the final Strategy and Sustainability Appraisal. This would involve a further six week period of consultation in order to establish final stakeholder views on the revised Strategy and any comments on the Sustainability Appraisal. The outcome of the consultation will be incorporated into the documents prior to issuing the final ‘adopted’ version of the Strategy.

A period a consultation took place between September and October 2013 and the Strategy was revised based on the comments received. A Sustainability Appraisal was then produced.

The adopted Flood Risk Management Strategy will provide a framework to deliver a prioritised programme of works and initiatives to manage flood risk across the Borough

                Delegated decisions:

                1. That approval be given to the Local Flood Risk Strategy Management Strategy (LFRMS), Sustainability Appraisal and supporting documents, as detailed in the report submitted.

                2. That approval be given to the proposed measures contained within the Strategy and Sustainability Appraisal being subject to a six week public consultation period, prior to adoption.

                3. That the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Communities) be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member – Environment, to make any further minor changes to the LFRMS and associated documents following the consultation and prior to adoption. (Any major proposed changes would be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.)

                Reason for the decision:

                This decision enables the Council, as a Lead Local Flood Authority, to comply with its statutory duties and responsibilities required under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

           Other options considered and rejected:

                1. That Members consider revisions to the proposed contents of the LFRMS prior to public consultation.

                2. That Members are requested to specify the nature of any revisions to be sought.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Finance and Corporate Affairs submitted the Health and Safety Annual Report 2012/2013.

The report submitted informed Members of the significant progress that has been made on health and safety management within the Council. These improvements include:

·        Tightening of health and safety structures;

·        Support to managers through the provision of training;

·        Promotion of health and safety;

·        Reviewing and updating systems, standards and guidance.

Delegated decisions:

1. That the Health and Safety Report 2012/2013 be noted.

2. That the Corporate Health and Safety Work Plan, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report, be endorsed.

3. That the departmental developments and plans, as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report, be noted.         

Reasons for the decision:

The Council has a duty to follow health and safety legislation. Failure to comply with the legislation is a criminal offence which could lead to the Council, senior managers or individual officers being prosecuted.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations

The Leader of the Council submitted a report outlining the key points of a proposed strategy for the disposal of land and property which is surplus to the requirements of the Council. A copy of the Surplus Land and Property Disposal Strategy was also attached to the report.

The Strategy seeks to introduce a formal process for:

·        The declaration of surplus assets;

·        The consideration of alternative uses for those assets by the Council and Team Bury partners;

·        Corporate decision taking over the retention or disposal of assets, based upon objective business cases.

Delegated decisions:

1. That approval be given to the SurplusLand and Property Disposal Strategy. 

2. That approval be given to the ring fencing of a proportion of the capital receipts arising from the sale of property assets so that the lesser of 25% of net capital receipts (receipts less direct disposal costs), or £100,000, obtained from the disposal of each surplus property will be reinvested in a property fund.

Reasons for the decision:

It is essential that the Council makes the best use of all its assets. The Strategy will improve upon current arrangements for the disposal of land and property, or their re-use for other purposes, and provides a framework for informed decisions to be taken at a corporate level.

Other options considered and rejected:

1. To approve the strategy, but not the proposed ring fencing of a proportion of capital receipts.

2. Not to approve either the contents of the report or the proposed ring fencing of receipts.

To consider passing the appropriate resolution under Section 100 (A)(4), Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the reason that the following business involves the disclosure of exempt information as detailed against the item.

Delegated decision:

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of information as detailed in the conditions of category 3.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Finance and Corporate Affairs and the Cabinet Member – Children and Families submitted a report setting out the financial terms of a project to provide an additional classroom at both St Thomas’s School and St Luke’s Primary School.

The project will be funded from the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 Capital Programme.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the financial details as set out in the report submitted.     

Reason for the decision:

The decision will allow the project to progress.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.