Agenda and minutes

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Contact: Andrew Woods  Democratic Services

Items
No. Item

CA.507

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

Councillor R Shori declared a personal interest that his partner is employed by the Council.

CA.508

Public Question Time

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.

 

Minutes:

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.

 

The Chair invited members of the public who had questions that did not relate to the agenda item Results of the Public Consultation on the Key Principles for the Bury Library Services and Next Steps. Those members of the public attending the meeting for the item were informed that there would be an opportunity to ask questions when the item was introduced.

 

No questions were asked on other issues.   

CA.509

Minutes pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2016.

Minutes:

Delegated decision:

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2016 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

CA.510

Results of the Public Consultation on the Key Principles for the Bury Library Service and Next Steps - to follow pdf icon PDF 188 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member (Strategic Housing and Support Services) submitted a report presenting:-

-    The summarised outcomes following the second public consultation on the library service;

-    The outcomes of the Mott Macdonald (Management Consultants) “options development – impact assessment” research;

-    The two possible options for the shape of the library service for the future:

 

OPTION 1:

-    Retain three Libraries (Plus Service Wide Team to deliver the Core Service offer):Bury Library and Archives, Ramsbottom Library and Prestwich Library

 

OPTION 2:

 - Retain four libraries (plus Service Wide Team to deliver the Core         Service Offer): Bury Library and Archives, Ramsbottom Library, Prestwich Library and Radcliffe Library.

 

The Chair invited questions from the members of the public present.

 

Gary Hardman (Seedfield TRA) – The local community libraries help people to feel comfortable and empowered. Libraries have helped local people with events and to set up groups and are a valuable asset to their area. The Mott McDonald report appears to be flawed because usage has been measured on library membership and not users of library services and events. Would the Council consider a third option of closing two or more main libraries and using the resources to develop services in local community libraries?

 

Councillor Walmsley thanked Mr Hardman for his question and explained that the report recommended a public consultation on two options but would enable other suggestions to be put forward. In producing the report options it had been recognised that nationally book lending rates are down and Bury libraries must evolve their service offer to reflect the age range of the current users and meet requirements to attract new and younger users. This would include the provision of a comprehensive range of services including IT and digital packages.

 

Rob Trueblood – People will only travel to the library if the services and facilities offered there are worth it. Many people currently make good use of Bury Library because of its location across the road from the Job Centre. In order to make Bury Library a usable asset, will the Council increase the reading stock and space for browsing, enhance the IT facilities and ensure there is sufficient staff numbers to run the service and make it a premier destination?

 

Councillor Walmsley welcomed the question and explained that the Council has a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. The public consultation will allow the Council to establish the needs and requirements of Bury residents and develop the service accordingly.

 

Nicola Haydock (Bury Green Party) – In view of the large financial investment made by the Council to establish the Bury Sculpture Centre and the low number of new visitors it has attracted and income it has generated; would the Council consider using the space taken by the Sculpture Centre as part of the options in Library public consultation?

 

Councillor Walmsley reported that the Council is looking at income generation in all areas but the Bury Sculpture Centre was not part of the review  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA.510

CA.511

Health and Safety: Annual Report 2016 pdf icon PDF 385 KB

Minutes:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Finance and Human Resources) introduced the Annual Health and Safety report. The Council’s Health and Safety system is designed to implement standards that are set out in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on organisational health and safety management.

 

Details of the Key health and safety arrangements that are under development by the Council, Key areas of progress and Key indicators and trends were listed in the report. Copies of the Occupational Health and Safety National Agenda and Strategies, statistical data, the Corporate Health and Safety at Work Plan and Departmental developments and plans were appended to the report.

 

           Delegated decisions:

 

1.     That the contents of the report, with particular reference to the Corporate Health and Safety Work Plan update (Appendix 2) and the Departmental Developments and Plans (Appendix 4), be noted.

2.   That the future work themes as detailed in paragraph 3.3 of the report submitted be endorsed.

Reasons for the decision:

The Health and Safety Annual Report represents a core element of the Council’s Health and Safety Management system providing for the welfare of staff, service management arrangements and standards. It is good practice that the Health and Safety Report is submitted on an annual basis.

 

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

CA.512

Bury Mayoralty 2017-2018

Minutes:

The Chair reported that Councillor Dorothy Gunther had been proposed as the Mayor of Bury for 2017/2018.

 

Recommendation to Council:

 

That Councillor Dorothy Gunther be proposed as the Mayor of Bury for 2017/2018.