Agenda and minutes

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

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 10 June 2015.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report presenting a Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Bury 2015-2020.

The proposed strategy provides a framework to increase participation in physical activity and sport and to act as a lever for change to improve the health and wellbeing and quality of life for individuals, their families and the wider community. The strategy has been developed as a result of the evidence around the number of positive health and social benefits that are associated with physical activity and sport. The two main aims of the Strategy are:

·         Adopt a targeted approach to supporting the inactive to become active

·         To sustain and increase participation for those already active.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for Bury 2015-2020 as detailed in the report submitted.

Reason for the decision:

The Strategy will provide the direction and approach to influencing the behaviour of the communities in Bury and outline the Council’s approach to the development of sports and physical activity in Bury.

Other options considered and rejected:

1.   To approve the strategy with amendments. Any proposed changed would need to be set out in detail to enable full assessment of the amendments in relation to equality legislation.

2.   To reject the recommendation. This increases the risk that more people will be inactive. The consequences of this are likely to include more people living with poor health and increasing pressure and demand on health and social services.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report regarding a proposal to refurbish Killelea House. Killelea House is Bury’s Intermediate Care Facility which provides rehabilitation for adults who are either discharged from hospital and need intensive rehabilitation or people who are at risk of being admitted to hospital.

The proposal to refurbish the facility is made on the basis of an invest-to-save model and has been structured to maximise the existing available assets in a more efficient way. This will address the increasing demand for social care services which help people to remain independent and promote self care.

Delegated decision:

1.   That approval be given to the refurbishment of the existing Killelea site and the co-location of the equipment store and Care Link Service.     

2.   That approval be given to undertake the consultation and involvement of stakeholders to finalise the design and specifications.

3.   That approval be given to the financial expenditure as detailed in the report submitted up to £2,108,700 (including fees). The method of funding to be determined by the Interim Executive Director of Resources and Regulation.

4.   That approval be given for the establishment of a project team to take the work on the project forward.

Reason for the decision:

There is a need to continue to develop services for the future which promotes maximum independence for the individual and supports people who care for them to continue in their caring role by providing valuable respite opportunities.

Other option considered and rejected:

1.   Reject the recommendations. The current layout is not conducive to promoting people’s health and well being and is hampering service outcomes.

2.   Rebuild a facility in a town centre location.

The Cabinet Member for Resource and Regulation submitted a report presenting a People’s Strategy. The People Strategy has been produced to support the Council’s ‘Our Vision, Purpose and Values’ and is designed to set the objectives and provide the overarching framework and mechanism to measure progress towards them in a simple and meaningful document that is accessible to everyone. The Strategy includes a ‘Our People Charter’ and a ‘Our Health and Wellbeing Pledge’ for all employees.

In order to achieve the Council’s Vision for the next five years the organisation will need leaders of people and leaders of place. The Council as an organisation will need to be innovative, agile, connected and transparent. People issues will be high on the agenda.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the People Strategy 2015 to 2020 as detailed in the report submitted.

Reason for the decision:

This decision provides the direction and framework for the Council’s people policies and practices for the next five years.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation. This would leave the Council without a clear Strategy regarding its people.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report providing details of Risk Management activity that has taken place over the past 12 months. The report outlines risk management policies and practices now in place and the key issues that will be addressed during the coming financial year.

Recommendation to Council:

1.   That approval be given to re-affirm support for the Council’s approach to Risk Management.

2.   That the progress made throughout 2014/2015 and the actions planned for 2015/2016 be noted.

Reason for the decision:

Risk Management is an integral part of the Council’s approach to Corporate Governance and service and financial planning. Robust Risk Management practices safeguard the Council’s assets and reputation.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report outlining the progress made during Quarter 4 2014-2015 for the performance indicators and projects within the Bury Council Corporate Plan.

The information contained in the report has been extracted from the Performance Information Management System (PIMS) and provided by the responsible services.

It was reported that this would be last monitoring report on the Bury Plan. A new monitoring framework was under development to track progress on the ‘Vision, Purpose and Values’ programme.

Delegated decision:

That the report submitted be noted.

Reasons for the decision:

The Council publishes a Corporate Plan each year this provides a robust performance management framework to properly measure the effectiveness and value for money of the services it delivers.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member for Children Families and Culture submitted a report setting out proposals to re-design the Short Breaks Services for Children and Young People with Disabilities and their families.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the proposal as detailed in the report submitted for short break services and de-commission the Red Centre.

Reason for the decision:

The proposals will improve the outcomes for children and young people with disabilities and make the best use of resources available.

Other options considered and rejected:

1.   To approve the recommendations with amendment.

2.   To reject the recommendation and retain the existing arrangements.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report regarding Bury’s Pilot to support working carer’s to retain employment. The funding secured is £125,032 over a period of two years.

The pilot will build upon existing carer’s services and support in Bury and build an evidence base to promote the use of assistive technology. A dedicated project officer will be recruited to ensure that key stakeholders, including employers, are involved throughout.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That approval be given to support the aims and objectives of the pilot to support carer’s to remain in paid work.

2.   That approval be given to the Council participating in the pilot.

3.   That approval be given to support being provided to managers and carer’s to be part of the pilot.

4.   That approval be given to support the implementation of any recommendations that come out of the pilot (eg refreshing carer-friendly policies and procedures).

Reason for the decision:

Bury’s carer’s play a vital role in service delivery. The pilot seeks to ensure that carer’s are able to stay in employment.       

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report providing details of:

·        the revenue outturn figures in respect of the last financial year, 2014/2015, detailing any specific carry-forward requests and the proposed application of the carry-forward rules;

·        major variances between the revised estimate and the outturn;

·        the level of school balances;

·        Housing Revenue Account outturn for the year;

·        The minimum level of balances in the light of risk assessments

The figures in the report are consistent with the figures included within the Statement of Accounts which were approved by the Responsible Finance Officer on 5 June 2015 and will be presented to Audit Committee on 15 July 2015.

Delegated decisions:

1.           That in view of the Council’s financial situation and the budget pressures faced in 2015/2016 and future years approval be given that the normal cash ceiling rules governing the carry forward of over and underspendings be suspended and that:-

a)   The final Revenue Outturn and Housing Revenue Account Outturn for 2014/2015 and the explanations for major variances as referred to in Appendices A, B and C of the report submitted be noted;

b)   Overspendings in the departments of Children, Young People and Culture and Communities & Wellbeing are not to be carried forward;

c)   The level of the General Fund balances be noted;

d)   The minimum level of the General Fund balance to be retained at £4.5m subject to regular review as part of the budget monitoring process.

Reason for the decision:

There is a requirement to present an annual report on the Revenue and Housing Revenue Account as part of the Council’s Financial Procedure rules.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report providing details of:

·         The capital outturn figures in respect of the last financial year 2014/2015;

·         Major variances between the Revised Estimate and the Outturn;

·         The financing of the Capital Programme in 2014/2015;

·         Re-profile of budgets/allocations and slippage of funding into 2015/2016; 

·         Details of the capital receipts realised during the year.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That the final Capital Outturn for 2014/2015 and explanations for major variances as detailed in Appendix A and report submitted be noted.

2.    That the financing of the Capital Programme in 2014/15 as referred to  in Paragraph 3.5 of the report submitted be noted.

3.   That approval be given to the re-profiled/slippage requests and associated funding into 2015/2016 as referred to in Appendix B of the report submitted.

4.   That the level of Capital Receipts realised in year and proposed use of the sites disposed of during the year as referred to in Appendix C of the submitted be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The successful management of capital investment in the Borough supports the delivery of all of the Council’s Aims and Objectives.    

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report presenting a review of Treasury Management activities during 2014/2015.

Delegated decisions:

That the report submitted be noted.

Reason for the decision:

The review is produced in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

To consider the minutes of meetings of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 29 May 2015

The minutes of the meetings of the Association of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Joint AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 29 May 2015 were submitted.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the meeting of the Joint AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 29 May 2015 be noted.

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 exempt information as detailed in the condition of category 3.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report seeking approval to the granting of a long term lease of the site of the former Haworth Close learning disability centre to Six Town Housing.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to Authorise the Interim Executive Director of Resources and Regulation to lease the land at Haworth Close to Six Town Housing for a 125 year period at a nominal rent.

Reason for the decision:

The proposal provides significant benefits to both Six Town Housing and the Council.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation and retain the site for alternative uses.