Meeting documents

Council
Wednesday, 12th September, 2012 7.00 pm

Date:
Wednesday, 12th September, 2012
Time:
7.00 p.m.
Place:
Council Chamber, Town Hall, Bury
 

Attendance Details

Present:
The Worshipful the Mayor (Councillor J Grimshaw), in the Chair;
Councillors A Audin, K Audin, D Bailey, M Bailey, N Bayley, I Bevan, P Bury, G Campbell, S Carter, R A Caserta, D M Cassidy, J Columbine, M Connolly, A J Cummings, E FitzGerald, L Fitzwalter, J Frith, I B Gartside, D L Gunther, M Hankey, S Haroon, P Heneghan, T Holt, K Hussain, A Isherwood, M A James, D Jones, J S Lewis, A Matthews, D O’Hanlon, N A Parnell, T D Pickstone, A Quinn, K Rothwell, R Shori, A Simpson, S Smith, J Smith, S Southworth, T Tariq, B Vincent, R E Walker, S Walmsley, J F Walton, M J Wiseman and Y Wright.

52 members of the public attended the meeting

Apologies for absence:
Councillors R Bibby, J Black, S Briggs and J Taylor
Buttons
Item Description Decision
Open
C.313 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 1.Councillor Connolly declared an interest in any item which related to staffing as his partner is an employee of Bury Council and a Personal Interest in the item Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel, as he is a Member of the Panel.

2.Councillor John Smith declared a Personal Interest in the item Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel, as he is a Member of the Panel.

3.Councillor Jones declared an interest in any item which related to staffing as his wife is an employee of Bury Council.

4.Councillors Ken Audin and Noel Bayley declared Personal Interests in Minute C.07(1), Notice of Motion - First Bus Fares, as they represent the Council on the Committee for Greater Manchester Transport.

5.Councillor Isherwood declared a Personal Interest in Minute C.07(1), Notice of Motion - First Bus Fares, as he could be indirectly employed by First Group later this year.

6.Councillor Fitzwalter declared a Personal Interest in Minute C.06, Leader’s Statement and Cabinet Question Time, in so far as it related to a question about Traffic Calming, as she is a resident of Holcombe Village and has signed a petition for 20 mph limits.

7.Councillors Jones and Quinn declared Personal Interests in Minute C.06, Leader’s Statement and Cabinet Question Time, in so far as it related to a question about Prestwich Carnival, as they are Members of the Carnival Committee.
C.314 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL
 RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on 4 July 2012, the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 4 July 2012 and the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 25 July 2012, be signed by the Mayor.
C.315 MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
 The Mayor paid tribute to the following for their part in the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games:-

Danny Boyle for the Opening Ceremony.

Elbow who played during the Closing Ceremony.

Zoe Robinson who won a bronze medal in the Boccia.

The Mayor also paid tribute to local volunteers for their tremendous contribution on behalf of others.
C.316 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
 Question on Bus Services operated by First Bus, including the 137 and 138 services, and changes to service provisionfrom Mrs P Durrant, Mr L Lott
and Mr B Shatliffe. Response by Councillor Connolly.

The Mayor asked members of the public present if they wished to ask questions. These are set out below - response to each by Councillor Connolly:-

1.Maintenance of War Memorials - Mrs A Marshall
2.Impact of Localism Act on planning decision-making - Mrs J Condron
3.Spen Moor site planning approval and impact of access and congestion - Mr A Wilson
4.Housing shortages in Bury - Ms S Moore
5.Campaign for Save Our Libraries and current status of review - Mr J Mallon
6.Volume of traffic on Bury and Bolton Road and suggestion of independent traffic survey - Mr J Hope
7.Spen Moor development and contribution to impact on schools by Developer -
Ms S Condron
8.Status of land at Spen Moor site - Mr P Condron
9.Statutory Powers relating to housing provision and Spatial Strategy - Mr Davenport.

At this stage in the Proceedings, it was moved and seconded and unanimously.

RESOLVED:

That the Order of Business be changed in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13(c) to enable consideration of the item “Amendment of the Constitution : Probity in Planning Code of Conduct - Protocol for Site Visits as next business.
C.317 AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION:
PROBITY IN PLANNING CODE OF CONDUCT:PROTOCOL FOR SITE VISITS
 A report of the Council Solicitor was submitted which sought amendment to the Council Constitution by amending the Protocol for Site Visits to the Probity in Planning Code of Conduct and changing the practice in respect of arranging site visits for Members.

It was moved by Councillor Connolly and seconded by Councillor Smith that the report and recommendations be approved.

On being put, with 33 voting for, 13 against and with one abstention it was

RESOLVED:

1.That the Constitution be amended by replacing the current paragraph 16 and Appendix 1 in the Probity in Planning Code of Conduct with the draft paragraph 16 and Appendix 1 to the Probity in Planning Code of Conduct; and

2.That the Council delegates to the Assistant Director of Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Services and appropriate officers the authorisation to change the current practice and arrangements made for site visits, as well as any associated communications and working practices.

C.318 LEADER STATEMENT AND CABINET QUESTION TIME
 (a)Written questions (four clear days’ notice given)

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Connolly, made a statement on the work undertaken by him since the date of the last Council meeting. The Leader and the relevant Cabinet Members answered questions raised by Councillors on the following issues:

1.Government Support to Housing Sector and impact on Bury
Councillor Pickstone
Councillor Campbell

2.Number of Planning Applications submitted since May 2010
Councillor Walker
Councillor Campbell

3.Localisation of Social Fund
Councillor Simpson
Councillor Isherwood

4.Fly Posting offences
Councillor Bevan
Councillor Campbell

5.Closure of Recycling Centre, Prestwich Councillor O’Hanlon
Councillor Campbell

6.Waste Management and use of landfill Councillor Gunther
Councillor Campbell

7.NDR Collection Rates
Councillor Tariq
Councillor Isherwood

8.Publication of Council expenditure Councillor Bevan
Councillor Isherwood

9.Safety Policies for Bonfire Night
Councillor Pickstone
Councillor Campbell

10.Public Attendance at Township Forums
Councillor Wiseman
Councillor Walmsley

11.Traffic Calming
Councillor Fitzwalter
Councillor Campbell

12.Flooding and drainage systems
Councillor O’Hanlon
Councillor Campbell

13.Home to School Transport
Councillor Caserta
Councillor Parnell

14.Schools Capital Programme
Councillor Daisy Bailey
Councillor Parnell

15.Planning Protocol
Councillor Gartside
Councillor Campbell

16.Recycling Rates
Councillor Stella Smith
Councillor Campbell

17.Looked After Children
Councillor Caserta
Councillor Parnell

18.Recycling Bins in Radcliffe and Prestwich
Councillor James
Councillor Campbell

19.Prestwich Carnival
Councillor Quinn
Councillor Gartside

20.Youth Projects
Councillor Frith
Councillor Parnell

21.Community Leadership and Community Cohesion
Councillor Holt
Councillor Walmsley

22.Looked After Young People
Councillor Southworth
Councillor Parnell

23.Housing Associations Policy
Councillor Cassidy
Councillor Campbell

24.Dog Fouling
Councillor Carter
Councillor Campbell

25.Backing Young Bury Initiatives Councillor Matt Bailey
Councillor Isherwood

Due to the lack of time to answer questions 11 to 25 inclusive, the Leader gave an undertaking that copies of the answers to those questions will be circulated to all Councillors. The Leader also gave an undertaking to make these available on the Council Web Site.


At this point in the Proceedings whereby two hours had elapsed since the start of the meeting, and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.3, the Mayor reported that consideration would now be given to Notices of Motion as Priority Business.
C.319 NOTICES OF MOTION AND OUTSTANDING ITEMS FOLLOWING CLOSURE MOTION
 Three Notices of Motion had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12:-

1.First Bus Fares

A Motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the names of:-

Councillors A Audin, K Audin, D Bailey, M Bailey, N Bayley, J Black, S Briggs, P Bury, G Campbell, S Carter, D M Cassidy, J Columbine, M Connolly, A J Cummings, E FitzGerald L Fitzwalter, J Frith, S Haroon, P Heneghan, T Holt, M A James, D Jones, J S Lewis, A K Matthews, N A Parnell, A Quinn, K Rothwell, R Shori, A Simpson, S Smith, J Smith, S Southworth, T Tariq and S Walmsley.

It was moved by Councillor Noel Bayley and seconded by Councillor Ken Audin:-

“Buses provide a really important public service to residents. They provide access to jobs, to training and education, to shopping, and to healthcare and leisure facilities. Decent bus services are more important than ever, particularly in these difficult economic times.

However, the deregulation of bus services over 25 years ago has led to higher fares, reduced bus services and a less integrated transport network - particularly in Bury - and more generally across Greater Manchester. Deregulation has meant that bus operators set whatever fares they like and run the services the way they please.

Transport for Greater Manchester has a limited budget to pay for concessionary fares and for essential bus services, such as those in the early morning and evening or in areas where bus operators are unwilling to run services. Currently it has no authority to influence bus fares.

First and Stagecoach are the two biggest bus operators in Greater Manchester, both of whom make healthy profits but who choose not to compete directly with each other. A daily and weekly bus pass for an adult now costs £4.50 and £18 on First's buses, compared with £3.90 and £12 on Stagecoach's buses. And the gap between their respective fares continues to grow.

This Council resolves to:

1.Call on First Bus, as the major bus operator in the North of Greater Manchester to reform its fares policy and reduce all its bus fares permanently.

2.Work closely with other local authorities and TfGMC to highlight the continuing transport problems across Greater Manchester caused by bus deregulation.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Gartside and seconded by Councillor Walker:-

“Buses provide a really important public service to residents. They provide access to jobs, to training and education, to shopping, and to healthcare and leisure facilities. Decent bus services are more important than ever, particularly in these difficult economic times.

However, the deregulation of bus services over 25 years ago has led to higher fares, reduced bus services and a less integrated transport network - particularly in Bury - and more generally across Greater Manchester. Deregulation has meant that bus operators set whatever fares they like and run the services the way they please.

Transport for Greater Manchester has a limited budget to pay for concessionary fares and for essential bus services, such as those in the early morning and evening or in areas where bus operators are unwilling to run services. Currently it has no authority to influence bus fares.

First and Stagecoach are the two biggest bus operators in Greater Manchester, both of whom make healthy profits but who choose not to compete directly with each other. A daily and weekly bus pass for an adult now costs £4.50 and £18 on First's buses, compared with £3.90 and £12 on Stagecoach's buses. And the gap between their respective fares continues to grow.

This Council resolves to:

1. Call on First Bus, as the major bus operator in the North of Greater Manchester to consider reforming its fares policy and reduce all its bus fares for as long as it is financially viable for them.

2. Work closely with other local authorities and TfGMC to highlight the continuing transport problems across Greater Manchester caused by bus deregulation.”

(During the debate it was moved and seconded that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13(j) that the question be now put.
The Motion was declared carried).

The amendment on being put with 10 voting for, 34 against and with two abstentions was declared lost.

The substantive motion on being put with 34 voting for, 11 against and one abstention was declared carried.

2.Member Behaviour

A Motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the names of Councillors M Connolly, I Gartside and T Pickstone.

It was moved by Councillor Connolly and seconded by Councillor Gartside:-

“This Council seeks to improve the standard of party politics before and at local election time.

Firstly, we resolve to improve the standard of discourse in the Council Chamber by respecting each other and resisting engaging in personal attacks on political opponents.

Secondly, at election time we resolve not to engage in activities which can be perceived as intimidating or confrontational, in particular, where young people are concerned.

Thirdly, we note the regrettable behaviour that has taken place at counts over recent years which has included personal insults amongst certain candidates standing for election.

Therefore, we resolve to ensure that the Code of Conduct be maintained by all Councillors and their supporters in order to promote respect and decent standards in public life.”

The Motion in being put was carried unanimously.

3.Neighbourhood Planning

A Motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the names of:-

Councillors R A Bibby, R A Caserta, I B Gartside, D L Gunther, M Hankey,
K Hussain, J Taylor, B Vincent, R E Walker, J F Walton, M J Wiseman and Y Wright

It was moved by Councillor Gunther and seconded by Councillor Gartside:-


“This Council notes the end of the moratorium on building on green spaces in our Borough and the recent planning decision to commence large scale building on Spen Moor. We recognise the strength of public outrage on this outcome and the precedent that this decision has now set for future potential housing developments. Such planning issues have a very direct impact on the lives of the people in our local communities.

This Council firstly resolves to acknowledge the need for a balance between the ever changing housing targets imposed on this Borough and the need to protect the green spaces that characterise our Borough’s quality of life.

Further, this Council notes the recent provisions made in The Localism Act 2012 to allow Neighbourhood Planning. The Neighbourhood Planning Framework encourages the involvement of Township Forums so that local people can have direct involvement in determining planning policies. Neighbourhood Planning Orders could be used to allow certain applications to be decided in the local area rather than the centralised local authority planning process.

Therefore, this Council secondly resolves to establish a Neighbourhood Planning Framework in Bury which will allow communities to submit their Neighbourhood Plans.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Connolly and seconded by Councillor Smith:

“That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.6(i), the Motion be referred to the Executive Director of Environment and Development Services Chief Planning Officer for full report to the next meeting of Council.”

(During the debate it was moved and seconded that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13(j) that the question be now put.
The Motion was declared carried).

The amendment on being put with 45 voting for and two abstentions was declared carried.

The Substantive Motion below as now put and with 45 voting for and two abstentions was declared carried.

“That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.6(i), the Motion be referred to the Executive Director of Environment and Development Services Chief Planning Officer for full report to the next meeting of the Council.”

The Mayor called upon to move The Closure Motion in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.

The Leader moved and it was:

RESOLVED:

That the whole of the remaining business before the Council be approved.

Note: There were no questions on the work of outside bodies or partnerships; and there were no questions on delegated decisions of Council Committees.

Questions asked of Joint Authority representatives and the GMMDA representative’s report would be circulated subsequently.

The following report was duly approved following the Closure Motion:

Greater Manchester Police and Crime Panel.
The meeting started at 7.00 pm and ended at 10.20 pm