Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made in relation to any of the items of business on the agenda.

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

No questions were asked.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2015.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report presenting a plan for Bury to meet its obligations in view of the significant challenges that the Council faces in the coming years. These include staying within budget and managing the expectations of a growing (and ageing) population.

A draft “plan on a page” was circulated to Cabinet members presenting a new look plan focussing on the actions needed in each aspect of work to transform the Council’s approach to public services by 2020.

Delegated decision:

That the Vision, Purpose and Values document be approved as the basis of the Council’s 5 year plan and forwarded to the meeting of Council on 1 July 2015.

Recommendations to Council:

1.   That the Council be recommended to adopt the plan.

2.   That by adopting the plan the Council amends the Council’s Constitution by replacing the previously approved Bury Plan with the plan submitted.

3.   That the Council agrees the draft indicators (Appendix 1 of the report submitted) as the basis for corporate monitoring and that further work be undertaken to develop and refine the measures to reflect progress on the work programme.

4.   That a financial Strategy and People Strategy be developed to underpin the direction of travel set out in the Visions, Purpose and Values document.

Reasons for the decision:

The plan will provide a route map for the organisation over the next 5 years.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations. This would leave the Council without a plan to deal with the significant cuts expected to local authority and public service budgets.

The Cabinet Member for Communities submitted a report presenting a strategy for a direction of travel for the Council’s adult learning service that is more aligned to the Team Bury priorities and the Council’s Visions and Values. The strategy has a strong focus on actions that increase basic skill levels and reduce other barriers to employment. The role of learning in promoting community cohesion and reducing inequalities is also recognised.

The strategy forms part of the evidence considered by Ofsted when the service is inspected and will support future bids to the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and other funding sources.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That approval be given to the Adult Education Strategy as detailed in the report submitted.

2.   That options be developed to address potential funding shortfalls in the budget and ensure the financial sustainability of the in-house service, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Communities.

Reason for the decision:

The Strategy provides a clear direction for the service.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Communities submitted a report regarding the final publication of a strategy for the future development of Burrs Country Parkover a period of 15 years (2015 to 2029). The strategy aims to establish Burrs Country Park as a ‘destination park’ of regional significance.

There are a number of projects within the strategy which are identified to help modernise and sustain Burrs as a family tourist attraction. The most significant of which is the construction of a station on the East Lancashire Railway (ELR) which will help to unlock the combined potential of Burrs Country Park and the ELR heritage railway.

A four week public consultation on the strategy was undertaken during March and April 2015 and generated a small number of responses, many of which expressed support for the proposals and suggested changes to improve the document. Some minor changes have been made to the Strategy as a result.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the final publication of the Burrs Country Park Strategy as a material planning consideration in assessing planning applications at Burrs Country Park.

Reason for the decision:

Approval enables the Burrs Country Park Strategy to be taken into account in assessing planning applications. It will provide an agreed vision for the park between partners and the community and will support the implementation of individual projects including funding bids.

Other option considered and rejected:

To amend the Burrs Country Strategy or to reject the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Resource and Regulation submitted a report presenting a revised version of the existing Supplementary Planning Document 1 (SDP 1) on open space, sport and recreation provision in new housing developments. The document would replace the current SPD1 advice.

Following a four week period of consultation some minor changes were made to the draft version of the SDP1.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to adopt the revised Supplementary Planning Document 1 as detailed in the report submitted.

Reason for the decision:

Adoption of the SPD1 will ensure that the document is up to date and is afforded weight in the consideration of all planning applications determined from this date.

Other option considered and rejected:

To amend the SPD1 or to reject the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Children Families and Culture submitted a report addressing the changes to the foster care payment system. The report focussed on the three main issues:

1. To afford family and friends carers the opportunity to qualify for the payment of the fostering fee.

Currently family and friends who are approved as foster carers are paid the fostering allowance but are not paid a fostering fee which is reserved to ‘mainstream carers’ as a reward for opening their homes to unrelated children. A High Court judgement ruled against this sort of differentiation and Local Authorities are now required to ensure that any fee or ‘reward element’ of a payment system must be open to all carers.

As a result of this ruling it is now necessary to develop new criteria for the payment of a fee. It is proposed that this is best done by the introduction of a payment for training and skill development.

2.  To promote training and development for foster carers.

Previously all carers who were approved to take unrelated children received the full fee on taking their first placement. It is proposed that on taking a first placement a fee that is equivalent to 50% of the full fee will be paid in recognition of having completed the ‘Skills to Foster’ training with the other 50% of the fee being earned by completing induction training. The full fee would be maintained thereafter by undertaking regular training that consolidated developed skills and knowledge. Those wishing not to undertake this level of training would remain on the 50% fee level.

This Payment for Skills system would be open to all carers and would thereby not only comply with the High Court ruling but incentivise training and development.

3.  To put in place an enhanced fee to underpin the development of a specialist foster care scheme.

The Fostering Service has identified a need and an opportunity to recruit and develop a small group of foster carers who would be trained and supported to offer placements to young people who have multiple and complex needs and who are likely to be otherwise placed in Independent Fostering Agency placements or residential homes. A ‘team around the child’ approach would be taken.

The fee paid to these carers would recognise their specialist skills that would be developed through an extensive training and development programme and their availability to the young person.

Delegated decisions:

That approval be given to introduce the new payment scheme in full.

Reason for the decision:

This would address all 3 issues in that it would assure compliance, incentivise training & development and allow the development of the specialist scheme.

Other option considered and rejected:

1.   Reject the recommendations.

2.   Maintain the current payment system and include all Family and Friends Foster Carers.

3.   Introduce the new payment for skills without developing the specialist foster care scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Communities submitted a report seeking approval to a number of recommendations to enhance Township Forums. In view of the significant budgetary challenges facing the Council and its partners, the changing local partnership landscape and advances in digital technologies, the opportunity has been taken to refresh the Forums to make them more efficient, effective and locally focussed.

The proposals included the following:

·         To reduce the number of generic presentations;

·         To formalise Police involvement in Township Forums;

·         To reduce the frequency of meetings and harness wider engagement mechanisms;

·         To introduce the Localism Act 2011 into Township Forums (assets of community value);

·         To introduce Community Funds (£8000 to each Township Forum to award small grants to community and voluntary groups).

Delegated decision:

That the report and proposals as detailed in the report submitted be supported and endorsed and be referred to the meeting of Council on 1 July 2015.

Recommendations to Council:

1.   That Council be recommended to approve the amendment of the Operating Framework for Township Forums to incorporate the proposals as detailed in the report submitted

2.   That Council be recommended to reduce the number of meetings of Township Forums from six to four per year. 

3.   That Council be recommended to implement the proposals during the 2015/16 municipal year. 

Reasons for the decision:

This decision will enhance the effectiveness of Township Forums. The proposals will help to reduce duplication across partners in relation to community engagement and strengthen local focus and accountability.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

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 items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in the condition of category 3.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cabinet Member for Resource and Regulation and Cabinet Member for Environment submitted a report setting out in financial terms details of Highways Capital Maintenance and Bridge Strengthening Programmes approved by Council within the 2015/16 Capital Programme which involves expenditure exceeding £250,000.

The schemes have been approved as part of the Highways Capital Maintenance and Bridge Strengthening Programmes for 2015/16.             

Delegated decisions:

1.   That approval be given to the capital expenditure details for the 2015/16 Highways Capital Maintenance and Bridge Strengthening Programmes as set out in the report submitted.

2.   That approval be given to delegate approval of the detailed list of schemes to be funded from the additional Local Highways Maintenance Funding to the Interim Executive Director of Resource and Regulation in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment.

3.   That it be noted that this expenditure is approved as part of the LTP – Highways Capital Maintenance Programme for 2015/16.

4.   That the method of financing the programme be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The Council Constitution requires approval by Cabinet of capital expenditure exceeding £250,000. The decision will enable the programmes to progress.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Environment submitted a report setting out in financial terms details of a capital project for a Play Area refurbishment programme. The Programme had been previously approved within the 2015/16 Capital Programme which involves expenditure of £250,000.

Delegated decisions:

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

2.   That the separate programme of play area refurbishments through Section 106 funding which complements the capital programme in Appendix 1 of the report submitted be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The Council Constitution requires approval by Cabinet of capital expenditure exceeding £250,000. 

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.