| C.519 | (a) Councillor Holt declared a personal interest in the Notice of Motion relating to the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, as an employee of Royal Mail. (Minute C.526(A) below).
(b) Councillors Ahmed, Bigg, Cummings, Harris and Hurst all declared personal interests as Governors of schools included in the consultations on the ‘Future of Secondary Learning - Strategy for Change.’ (Minute C.522 below).
|
| C.521 | The Worshipful the Mayor informed the Council of the recent death of former Councillor Donal Hamer. Mr Hamer had served on the Bury County Borough Council during the late 1960s and early 1970s representing Elton Ward. The condolences of the Council had been sent to his family.
The Council stood in silence in remembrance of former Councillor Hamer.
The Mayor also offered his best wishes for Christmas and the New Year to all those present at the meeting.
|
| C.522 | Written notice had been given of eight questions, seven of which related to the ‘Future of Secondary Learning - Strategy for Change’ and the implications for future secondary education in Radcliffe. The eighth question related to the regeneration of Radcliffe.
The questions had been received from Gillian Stainthorpe, Andrea Smethurst, Karen Hopwood, Nicole Uren, Barbara Ross, Simon Doodson, Paul Evans and Margaret Wild.
The Leader and the Executive Member for Children and Young People answered the questions.
An undertaking was given that the questioners would be provided with a written version of the answers given at the meeting.
|
| C.523 | (a) Minute EX.476 of the meeting of the Executive held on 3 December 2008 - Revised Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) Proposal
Councillor Bibby moved and Councillor Creswell seconded that the wishes of the electorate across Greater Manchester as expressed in the Referendum held on 11 December 2008, be honoured.
On being put, with no Councillor voting against.
(b) Minute EX.477 of the meeting of the Executive held on 3 December 2008 - Nomination for the Office of Mayor for the Municipal Year 2009/2010
It was moved by Councillor Bibby and seconded by Councillor Creswell, that Councillor Sheila Magnall be nominated for the Office of Mayor of the Metropolitan Borough of Bury for the Municipal Year 2009/2010.
On being put, with no Councillor voting against and Councillor Magnall abstaining.
|
| C.525 | The 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 (four clear working days’ notice given)
1. Issue: Contract for the purchase of the site for Radcliffe Riverside School (EXEMPT INFORMATION)
Questioner: Councillor Campbell
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
2. Issue: 1. Marketing of sites associated with Radcliffe Riverside School. 2. Land values and resources available for the new school (EXEMPT INFORMATION)
Questioner: Councillor Cummings
Answered by (and action): Councillors D Ashworth and Bibby
3. Issue: 1. Proposed re-siting of the Derby School - transport for pupils 2. Secondary school places in Bury East
Questioner: Councillor Smith
Answered by (and action): Councillor D Ashworth
4. Issue: Provision of public toilets in Radcliffe Town Centre
Questioner: Councillor Briggs
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
5. Issue: Quality of recyclable materials in blue bins over last 4 quarters
Questioner: Councillor S Wright
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
6. Issue: 1. Winter road gritting policy - reduction in vehicle useage 2. Compacted snow on pavements
Questioner: Councillor Pickstone
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
7. Issue: 1. Capacity of the Council to keep traffic flowing after snowfalls 2. View of the Economy, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Commission
Questioner: Councillor Costello
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
8. Issue: Council’s policy on replying to correspondence from the public
Questioner: Councillor Baum
Answered by (and action): Councillor Creswell
9. Issue: Attendance of a representative of Six Town Housing at Prestwich LAP meetings
Questioner: Councillor V D’Albert
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gartside
10. Issue: Former Council houses being considered for re-acquisition
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gartside
11. Issue: Expenditure on external consultants
Questioner: Councillor M D’Albert
Answered by (and action): Councillor Redstone
12. Issue: Staffing levels - Child Psychologists
Questioner: Councillor A S Garner
Answered by (and action): Councillor D Ashworth
13. Issue: Management of trees in the Borough
Questioner: Councillor O’Hanlon
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
14. Issue: Postponement of the Employee Achievement Awards 2009
Questioner: Councillor Holt
Answered by (and action): Councillor Walton
15. Issue: Safeguarding of Vulnerable Children in the Borough
Questioner: Councillor Boden
Answered by (and action): Councillor D Ashworth
16. Issue: Staffing levels - Child Protection Officers and Education Welfare Officers
Questioner: Councillor Rothwell
Answered by (and action): Councillor D Ashworth
17. Issue: Progress of the Pimhole Regeneration Scheme
Questioner: Councillor Byrne
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gartside
18. Issue: Redevelopment of Radcliffe Town Centre
Questioner: Councillor Isherwood
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gartside
19. Issue: Additional car parking in Whitefield Town Centre
Questioner: Councillor Audin
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
20. Issue: Disposal of Huntley House
Questioner: Councillor Cassidy
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gartside
21. Issue: Introduction of residents only parking - Mosses area
Questioner: Councillor Connolly
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
22. Issue: Use of Croft Lane, Hollins by heavy goods vehicles
Questioner: Councillor Grimshaw
Answered by (and action): Councillor Gunther
Due to a lack of time to answer questions 8 to 22 inclusive, the Leader gave an undertaking that copies of the answers would be circulated to all Councillors
(b) Oral Questions on the work of the Executive since the last Council meeting (Without Notice)
23. Issue: Revised TIF Proposal - expenditure on ‘Yes’ campaign in the Referendum
Questioner: Councillor Pickstone
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
24. Issue: Review of Residential Accommodation - Reason for consultations
Questioner: Councillor Smith
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
25. Issue: Pay and Grading Review - Lack of Government funding
Questioner: Councillor Baum
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
26. Issue: Projected overspend on Adult Care Services
Questioner: Councillor Connolly
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
27. Issue: Pay and Grading Review - Trauma caused to staff
Questioner: Councilllor V D’Albert
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
28. Issue: Pay and Grading Review - Support for affected employees
Questioner: Councillor Holt
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
29. Issue: Child Protection - Attendance at recent Conference
Questioner: Councillor Byrne
Answered by (and action): Councillor Bibby
|
| C.526 | Two Notices of Motion had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12. A further Motion had been submitted by Councillors Byrne and Creswell relating to the decision of Newsquest to close down its facilities in Bury, which the Mayor agreed could be considered at this meeting as urgent business.
(A) Sustainable Communities Act 2007
It was moved by Councillor Boden and seconded by Councillor Matthews that the following Motion be approved:-
“That this Council:
1 (a) Having consistently supported the Local Sustainable Communities Bill on its passage through Parliament (b) And noting that the Sustainable Communities Act is now on the Statute Book and that the Act’s processes have now been activated (c) Noting also that, in order to use the processes of the Act to defend local community resources such as post offices, it is necessary for the Council to formally resolve to use the process and to submit proposals to do so to Government via the Local Government Association.
2. Accordingly resolves:
To use the Sustainable Communities Act Process, submitting proposals to do so to Government via the Local Government Association in accordance with the invitation to do so from the Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 14 October 2008.
3. And is minded to:
Consider how the processes of the Act might be used in the first instance to sustain the local post office network.”
In the names of Councillors Campbell, Isherwood, Cummings, Grimshaw, Holt, Matthews, Briggs, Cassidy, Boden, Rothwell, Audin, Chaudhry, Connolly, Byrne.
An amendment was moved by Councillor Bibby and seconded by Councillor Creswell to the effect that:-
Paragraphs 1a and 1b remain unchanged.
Paragraph 1c - delete the reference to Post Offices
Paragraph 2 remains unchanged.
Paragraph 3 - delete and replace with:
“That this Council, in accordance with the principles and spirit of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007, undertakes a public consultation through Local Area Partnerships to develop proposals that can be adopted by the Council and sent to the Local Government Association in good time to meet the July 2009 deadline for responses.”
The amendment, on being put, 33 voted for, 14 against with the Mayor and Councillor Holt abstaining, was declared carried.
The substantive Motion on being put, 47 voted for, none against, with the Mayor and Councillor Holt abstaining, was declared carried.
(b) Local Government Settlement
It was moved by Councillor Baum and seconded by Councillor Pickstone that the following Motion be approved:-
“This Council notes that the Formula Grant Settlement given to Bury Council from the government is below 2.6% this year.
Council further notes that this figure is below the average for all-England (2.84%), and below the average for Metropolitan Areas (2.88%). It is significantly below the average for the North West (3%).
Council recognises the fact that this below-average settlement will further widen the gap between the resources and services available for the people of Bury, and those available elsewhere in the country.
Council deplores the fact that such a settlement will increase the chances of further cuts in services or increases in Council Tax, at a time of economic hardship for our citizens and after years of service cuts and tax rises.
Council resolves to ask all Group Leaders and local MPs to join in an all-party approach to Government urging them to give the people of Bury a fair deal by giving a share of the Formula Grant at least equal to comparable Authorities”.
In the names of Councillors Baum, M D’Albert, V D’Albert, Davison, A J Garner, A S Garner, O’Hanlon, Pickstone and S Wright.
On being put, 49 voted for, none against with no abstentions, the Motion was declared carried.
(c) Urgent Business - Newsquest decision to close down the Bury Times and relocate to Bolton
It was moved by Councillor Byrne and seconded by Councillor Creswell that the following Motion be approved:-
“This Council expresses its anger and dismay at the decision by Newsquest to close down its facilities in Bury. An operation based in Bolton will not give proper respect and coverage to events and issues relative to the people of Bury. Furthermore, this Council records its disgust at the haste of this decision and Newsquest’s contempt for any meaningful discussion or consultation with its employees and other concerned parties.”
On being put, 49 voted for, none against and with no abstentions, the Motion was declared carried.
|
| C.527 | There were no Scrutiny Review Reports or specific items ‘called in’ by Scrutiny Commissions to be considered at this Council meeting.
|
| C.528 | (a) Councillor Creswell, the Council’s representative on the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority gave a verbal report on the work of that Joint Authority to Members of the Council present at the meeting.
(b) The nominated Spokespersons, as indicated below, answered the following written questions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.2:-
Joint Authority and Questioner: Greater Manchester Police Authority
Councillor S Wright
Issue: 1. Police Authority vehicles allocated to civilian staff members.
2. Risk assessments on Police vehicles use
Answered by (and action): Councillor Walker
Joint Authority and Questioner: Greater Manchester Police Authority
Councillor O’Hanlon
Issue: The number of prosecutions and convictions in the last 3 years resulting in fatalities involving Police and non-Police vehicles.
Answered by (and action): Councillor Walker
Joint Authority and Questioner: Greater Manchester Fire and Civil Defence Authority
Councillor O’Hanlon
Issue: Effectiveness of arson prevention measures
Answered by (and action): Councillor Walton
|
| C.529 | There 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.530 | There were no written questions asked on the delegated decisions of the Committees or Scrutiny Commissions contained in the Digest of Decisions 7 (2008/2009).
|