Meeting documents

Council
Wednesday, 26th March, 2008 7.15 pm

Date:
Wednesday, 26th March, 2008
Time:
7.15 pm
Place:
Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bury
 

Attendance Details

Present:
The Worshipful the Mayor (Councillor F A Chaudhry) in the Chair;
Councillors D M Ashworth, P Ashworth, K Audin, L E Baucutt, R L Baum, C A Berry, R A Bibby, D B Bigg, D Boden, K S Briggs, R C A Brown, J Byrne, W A Campbell, D M Cassidy S Cohen, M Connolly, S Costello, Y Creswell, A J Cummings, V D D’Albert, W J Davison, A J Garner, A S Garner, I B Gartside, M A Gibb, J Grimshaw, D L Gunther, M Hankey, D M Higgin, T Holt, A Isherwood, S P Magnall, A K Matthews, D O’Hanlon, S P Penketh, T D Pickstone, P H Redstone, K Rothwell, J Smith, S J Southworth, B J Sullivan, J W H Taylor, B Theckston, B Vincent, R E Walker, J F Walton, M J Wiseman, S D Wright and Y S Wright
Co-opted:
10 members of the public attended the meeting
Apologies for absence:
Councillor T P Chamberlain
Buttons
Item Description Decision
Open
C.848 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Preamble for item C.848
 
C.849 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL
 RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 February 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.
C.850 MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Preamble for item C.850
 
C.851 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Preamble for item C.851
 
C.852 MAYORAL REFERENDUM 2008
Preamble for item C.852
RESOLVED:

That the Proposals in the report be approved and adopted.
C.853 RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Preamble for item C.853
RESOLVED:

1. That the recommendations contained in Minute S.678 be approved and adopted.

2. That the recommendations be approved and adopted.
C.854 LEADER’S STATEMENT AND EXECUTIVE QUESTION TIME
Preamble for item C.854
 
C.855 SCRUTINY REVIEW REPORTS AND SPECIFIC ITEMS “CALLED IN” BY SCRUTINY COMMISSIONS
Preamble for item C.855
 
C.856 NOTICES OF MOTION
Preamble for item C.856
 
C.857 TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS 2008/2009

Preamble for item C.857
RESOLVED:

That the Timetable set out in the report as amended in 1, 2 and 3 above be approved.
C.858 JOINT AUTHORITIES - REPORT BY THE COUNCIL’S REPRESENTATIVE AND QUESTIONS
Preamble for item C.858
 
C.859 QUESTIONS ON THE WORK OF OUTSIDE BODIES OR PARTNERSHIPS
Preamble for item C.859
 
C.860 DELEGATED DECISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Preamble for item C.860
 
The meeting started at 7.00 pm and ended at 9.51 pm

Preamble

Preamble
ItemPreamble
C.848Councillor Penketh declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the question raised by Councillor Rothwell relating to the work of the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority to protect the residents living close to the Waste Management Facility at Fernhill, Bury from noise and pollution. Councillor Penketh left the Chamber whilst the question was answered.
C.850The Worshipful the Mayor informed the Council of the recent deaths of Charles Cross, Honorary Freeman of the Borough and Michael Todd, the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester.

The sympathy and condolences of the Council had been sent to both families and all Councillors stood in silence as a mark of respect and in remembrance of Mr Cross and Chief Constable Todd.

As this was the final meeting of the Council for the current Municipal Year, the Worshipful the Mayor thanked those Members who had served in various capacities during the past twelve months for their valuable services and their time devoted to carrying out their duties.

The Mayor extended particular thanks to Councillors Lindsey Baucutt and Margaret Gibb who were not seeking re-election in the May 2008 Municipal Elections.

The Mayor also extended the Council’s best wishes to Councillor Gartside on the occasion of his forthcoming marriage.
C.851Mrs A Audin requested that representations be made to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority to improve the condition of the toilets in the Interchange in Bury Town Centre.

The Leader undertook to make representations.
C.852The Leader submitted a report on the statutory procedures requiring the Council to hold a Referendum for an Elected Mayor with Cabinet, following the receipt of a valid Petition in January 2008.

The Council is required to prepare Proposals to be submitted to the Secretary of State for the governance of the Council under that Model and also, in the event of the rejection of the proposals in the Referendum, Fall-Back Proposals for the governance of the Council.

If the Referendum result is in favour of an Elected Mayor with Cabinet, the Council will be required to hold an Election in line with the Timetable appended to the report.

The Council considered:-

(i) Draft Proposals for an Elected Mayor with Cabinet Style of Governance.

(ii) Draft Fall-Back Proposals for a Leader with Cabinet Style of Governance.

(iii) Draft Referendum Timetable.

(iv) A suggested programme of consultations including a questionnaire.

It was moved by Councillor Bibby and seconded by Councillor Creswell that the draft Timetable, draft Proposals for an Elected Mayor with Cabinet, draft Fall-Back Proposals, draft Timetable and consultation proposals as set out in the report be approved.

On being put with no Member voting against and with the Mayor abstaining it was:
C.853(a) Minute S.678 of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 February 2008 - Enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Checks for Councillors.

It was moved by Councillor Bibby and seconded by Councillor Creswell that the recommendations be approved.

On being put with no Member voting against and with the Mayor and Councillors Brown, D’Albert and Walker abstaining.

(b) Minute EX.796 of the meeting of the Executive held on 19 March 2008 - The Bury Plan 2008 - 2011.

It was moved by Councillor Bibby and seconded by Councillor Creswell that the
recommendations be approved.

On being put with no Member voting against and with the Mayor abstaining.
C.854The Leader of the Council, Councillor R A Bibby, made a statement on the work of the Executive since the date of the last Council meeting. The Leader and the relevant Executive Members answered questions raised by Councillors on the following issues:-

(a) Written Questions Notice Given)

1. Issue: Government Proposals to close Post Offices
Questioner: Councillor Pickstone
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby

2. Issue: Progress of the URBED Study of Prestwich Village Centre commissioned by the Council
Questioner: Councillor Pickstone
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
(Presentation on the outcomes to the Executive)

3. Issue: Delivery of services from the Children’s Centre based at Butterstile Primary School
Questioner: Councillor Baum
Answered by (and action): Councillor D Ashworth

4. Issue: Refuse collection needs of the Jewish Community during Passover
Questioner: Councillor A S Garner
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther

5. Issue: Council policy for Alley-gating for community safety reasons
Questioner: Councillor D’Albert
Answered by (and action): Councillor Wiseman (Report to the Executive in early 2008/2009)

6. Issue: Placement of Litter Enforcement Notices in Prestwich
Questioner: Councillor O’Hanlon
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther (Public display of times and dates of cleaning regime to be considered)

7. Issue: Energy - Efficiency Reports for Council Buildings
Questioner: Councillor S Wright
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther

8. Issue: Pilot scheme for fencing gardens on the Victoria Estate, Whitefield
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gartside
(funding sources to be examined)

9. Issue: Introduction of a Residents’ Parking Scheme in Fishpool
Questioner: Councillor Smith
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
(Implementation in August 2008 and then consultations on possible extension of the scheme)

10. Issue: Fouling of footpaths by dogs
Questioner: Councillor Audin
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther

11. Issue: Road Safety Budget 2008/2009
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther

12. Issue: Replacement of damaged lighting columns
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
(Further investigations of effectiveness of Tameside Scheme)

13. Issue: Licensing of premises for the sale of alcohol
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Brown

14. Issue: 1. Role of Councillor Members of Area Tasking Teams 2. Access to data
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Wiseman

15. Issue: 1. Provision of toilets in Bury Town Centre
2. Poor condition of toilets in the Interchange, Bury
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
(See undertaking given in Public Question Time)

16. Issue: 1. Future development of the Local Area
Partnerships (LAPS) 2. Individual LAPS’ Priorities
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Creswell

17. Issue: 1. Speeding vehicles on Thatch Leach Lane, Whitefield
2. Vehicle activated Warning Signs
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther

18. Issue: 1. External Auditors’ Annual Management Letter 2. Direction of Travel for the Authority’s Performance
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby

19. Issue: Noise and pollution from Waste Management Facility - protection of local residents
Questioner: Councillor Rothwell
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
(Councillor Penketh left the Chamber whilst this question was answered)

(b) Oral Question (without notice)

20. Issue: Criminal Records Bureau Checks on employees attending Area Tasking Team meetings
Questioner: Councillor Walker
Answered by (and action): Council Solicitor
(to investigate)

21. Issue: 1. External Auditors’ Annual Management
Letter 2. Payment of Council Tax in 12 monthly instalments
Questioner: Councillor Campbell
Answered by (and action): Councillors Bibby and Redstone

22. Issue: Number of residents opting to pay Council Tax in 12 monthly instalments
Questioner: Councillor Gartside
Answered by (and action): Councillor Redstone

23. Issue: 1. Regeneration of the SUN Quarter, Radcliffe 2. Programme for completion
Questioner: Councillor Isherwood
Answered by (and action): Councillors Bibby and Gartside
(Report to Local Area Partnership)

24. Issue: Emissions from Sewage Processing Plant at Blackford Bridge
Questioner: Councillor A S Garner
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther (will investigate levels of pollution)

25. Issue: Public Question Time at Council Meetings
Questioner: Councillor Connolly
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
(to review provisions)

26. Issue: Council support for Community ‘Clear-ups’
Questioner: Councillor Cassidy
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
C.855There were no Scrutiny Review Reports or specific items ‘called-in’ by Scrutiny Commissions to be considered at this Council meeting.
C.856No Notices of Motion had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12 for debate at this meeting.
C.857The Council considered a report by the Leader of the Council on the proposed Timetable of Meetings for the 2008/2009 Municipal Year.

It was moved by Councillor Bibby and seconded by Councillor Creswell that the Timetable set out in the report incorporating these amendments to accommodate a Mayoral exchange visit to a twin town, be approved:-

1. Postponement of the Executive meeting programmed for Thursday 23 October 2008 to Wednesday 29 October 2008.

2. Postponement of the Council meeting programmed for Wednesday 29 October 2008 to Wednesday 5 November 2008; and

3. Cancelling of the Executive meeting programmed for Wednesday 5 November 2008.

On being put, no Member voted against and with the Mayor abstaining, it was
C.858(a) Councillor Andrew Garner, the Council’s representative on the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority gave an oral report on the work of that Joint Authority to all Members of the Council.

(b) Councillor Garner also answered these questions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.2:-

Joint Authority and Questioner: Greater Manchester Transport Authority
Councillor Boden
Issue: Recent Refurbishment of the Metrolink
Answered by (and action):Councillor A S Garner

Joint Authority and Questioner: Greater Manchester Transport Authority
Councillor Boden
Issue: Commissioning of new trams for the Metrolink
Answered by (and action): Councillor A S Garner
C.859There were no written questions on the work of outside bodies or partnerships on which the Council is represented, submitted in accordance with Council, Procedure Rule 11.2.
C.860There were no questions asked on the delegated decisions of the Executive, Committees or Scrutiny Commissions contained in the Digests of Decision 11 and 12.