Meeting documents

Council
Wednesday, 17th October, 2012 7.00 pm

Date:
Wednesday, 17th October, 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 D Bailey, M Bailey, N Bayley, I Bevan, J Black, S Briggs, P Bury, G Campbell, S Carter, R A Caserta, D M Cassidy, J Columbine, M Connolly, A J Cummings, E FitzGerald, 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.

15 members of the public attended the meeting

Apologies for absence:
Councillors A Audin, K Audin and L Fitzwalter
Buttons
Item Description Decision
Open
C.409 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.

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

3.Councillors Black and James declared personal interests in Minute C, “Leader’s Statement and Cabinet Question Time,” in so far as it related to Written Question 18 on The Sedgley Park Children’s Centre, as they are Governors of Sedgley Park Primary School.
C.410 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL
RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 12 September 2012 be signed by the Mayor as a true and correct record.
C.411 MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor referred to the recent passing of Mr Malcolm Vickers of the East Lancashire Railway Trust and Members observed a brief silence in his memory.

The Mayor also referred to the following:-

•The holding of bi-elections in North Manor and Church Wards on 15 November 2012, following the resignations of Councillors Bibby and Taylor.

•Councillor Ann Audin had undergone surgery and was making good progress.

•Remembrance Sunday services would take place on 11 November 2012.

•The Mayor’s Civic Dinner would take place on Friday, 7 December 2012.
C.412 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
There were no questions asked by members of the public present.
C.413 RECOMMENDATIONS OF CABINET AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES
There were no matters for consideration under this item.
C.414 LEADER STATEMENT AND CABINET QUESTION TIME
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.Numbers of staff redundancies since May 2011 and cost to Council
Councillor Caserta
Councillor Isherwood

2.Number of Looked After Young People
Councillor Southworth
Councillor Parnell

3.Savings through Plan for Change in Environment and Development Services
Councillor Pickstone
Councillor J Smith

4.Severe weather arrangements
Councillor Bevan
Councillor Campbell

5.Progress on Plan for Change and required savings
Councillor Gartside
Councillor J Smith

6.Incidents of homophobia on pensioners - Care Homes and Domiciliary Care Councillor Rothwell
Councillor Shori

7.Provision of milk in primary schools
Councillor O’Hanlon
Councillor Isherwood

8.Future of Viva Sol Building - Bury Town Centre
Councillor Hankey
Councillor Connolly

9.Complaints received within Adult Care Services
Councillor Simpson
Councillor Shori

10.Cleaning of gullies
Councillor O’Hanlon
Councillor Campbell

11.Car Parking and garage provision
Councillor Gunther
Councillor Campbell

12.Spare Room Tax and Housing Benefit
Councillor Heneghan
Councillor Isherwood

13.Rogue Landlords Campaign
Councillor Pickstone
Councillor Campbell

14.Team Bury Cohesion Strategy
Councillor Holt
Councillor Walmsley

15.Carers in the Community
Councillor Black
Councillor Shori

16.Schools Capital Maintenance Programme Councillor Daisy Bailey
Councillor Parnell

17.Funding for Youth Projects
Councillor Frith
Councillor Parnell

18.Sedgley Park Children’s Centre
Councillor James
Councillor Parnell

19.Housebound Library Service
Councillor A Audin
Councillor Lewis

20.Tourism and Promotional Activity Councillor Bevan
Councillor Lewis

Due to the lack of time to answer questions 10 to 20 inclusive, the Leader gave an undertaking that copies of the answerers to those questions will be circulated to all Councillors. The Leader also gave an under taking to make these available on the Council Web Site.

(b)Oral questions on the work of the Cabinet since the last Council meeting (without Notice)

21.Third Sector Commissioning Grant and “Forever Manchester”
Councillor Walker
Councillor Walmsley

22.Plan for change - Destination Management
Councillors Gartside Pickstone and O’Hanlon
Councillor Lewis

23.Draft Care Strategy and Promotion of Tourism
Councillor Bevan
Councillor Lewis
C.415 NOTICES OF MOTION
Two Notices of Motion had been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12:

1.Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority

A Motion had been received and set out in the Summons in the name 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, A Isherwood, 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.

"This Council welcomes the campaign of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority (GMFRA), in partnership with the other Metropolitan Fire & Rescue Authorities, against the unfairness applied to the Government's Formula for the distribution of Grant.

The distribution of government funding, through the Formula, now favours "Shire Fire & Rescue Authorities" (Combined Fire Authorities) and protects London, at the expense of the urban/regional cities.

Between 2011 and 2013, GMFRA, West Midlands, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Tyne & Wear Metropolitan Authorities will shoulder around 80% of the cuts compared to the rest of the Fire Services across the Country, Shires, Combined Authorities and London between them will shoulder just short of 20%. Indeed, six of these Fire Authorities have - perversely - seen grant increases in the last two years.

GMFRA are certain that, if the Formula Grant is not re-adjusted to ensure greater fairness, Greater Manchester will be faced with further damaging cuts, further significant reduction of Firefighters, further significant fewer fire appliances, and potentially closures of Fire Stations.

This level of cuts will also have serious consequences for the delivery of Fire & Rescue Services for the people of Greater Manchester and impact on the resilience of the infrastructure of Greater Manchester.

This Council therefore calls on the Government to ensure everyone 'shares the pain of austerity' and introduces a fairer Grant Formula model for GMFRA and other Metropolitan Fire & Rescue Authorities elsewhere.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Gartside and seconded by Councillor Wiseman that at the start of the final paragraph the following be inserted:-

“This Council notes that under successive Governments of all political persuasions, Bury and other Metropolitan Authorities have received raw deal in many different funding formulas”

The amendment on being put with 13 voting for, 32 against and one abstention was declared lost.

The substantive motion on being put was declared carried unanimously.


2.Streaming of Council Meetings

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

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

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

“This Council notes the seating capacity of the public gallery and the relatively low numbers of the public who are able to view or participate in full council meetings as compared to the population of this Borough.
This Council also notes that with recent advances in technology and the spread of I.T into most people’s homes and lives, there are now opportunities for more people to become engaged with their local Council remotely. “Tweeting” is one example of what this Council has recently implemented in order to broaden the audience of Council meetings. However, this Council notes the problems that this type of media has created (i.e. Councillor’s concentrating more on Twitter rather than the Council meeting and constituents being given “One Sided” views of how the meeting is progressing).
Many councils up and down the country have started to stream Council meetings live on their web-sites to allow those people who cannot attend meetings to view their local Councillors in action in the Council chamber.
Therefore, In the pursuit of making this Council as “Open” and “Transparent” as possible and as a better alternative to using “Twitter”, this Council resolves to instruct the Council’s ICT department to attach live streaming of Council meetings to the Bury Council Website with effect from the next full Council meeting on the 12th December 2012. This will allow viewers the opportunity to make up their own minds about how the council meeting is progressing.
Should this prove to be a success then this Council also resolves to expand live streaming across all Scrutiny, Planning, Standards, Audit, Licensing, and Township Forum meetings.”

An amendment was moved by Councillor Tariq and seconded by Councillor Connolly as follows:-

“ i)Delete the last 2 paragraphs , “Therefore………………..
…………………. Township Forum meetings.”

ii)Replace with : “Therefore in the pursuit of making the Council more open and as transparent as possible, the Council resolves to go ahead with the scheduled live streaming at the Council meeting on 12th December.
Following evaluation of the pilot, and if successful and clearly demonstrates good value for money, the Council would consider extending “live streaming” to meetings of Overview and Scrutiny at some point.”

The amendment on being put was declared carried unanimously.

The following substantive motion on being put was declared carried unanimously.

“This Council notes the seating capacity of the public gallery and the relatively low numbers of the public who are able to view or participate in full council meetings as compared to the population of this Borough.
This Council also notes that with recent advances in technology and the spread of I.T into most people’s homes and lives, there are now opportunities for more people to become engaged with their local Council remotely. “Tweeting” is one example of what this Council has recently implemented in order to broaden the audience of Council meetings. However, this Council notes the problems that this type of media has created (i.e. Councillor’s concentrating more on Twitter rather than the Council meeting and constituents being given “One Sided” views of how the meeting is progressing).
Many councils up and down the country have started to stream Council meetings live on their web-sites to allow those people who cannot attend meetings to view their local Councillors in action in the Council Chamber.
Therefore in the pursuit of making the Council more open and as transparent as possible, the Council resolves to go ahead with the scheduled live streaming at the Council meeting on 12th December 2012.
Following evaluation of the pilot, and if successful and clearly demonstrates good value for money, the Council would consider extending “live streaming” to meetings of Overview and Scrutiny at some point.”
C.416 SCRUTINY REVIEW REPORTS AND SPECIFIC ITEMS CALLED IN BY SCRUTINY COMMITTEES
There were no Scrutiny Review Reports or specific items ‘called in’ by the Internal Scrutiny Committee to be considered at this Council meeting.
C.417 JOINT AUTHORITIES REPORT BY THE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND QUESTIONS
(a)Councillor Matthews, the Council’s representative, on the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority, gave a verbal report on the work of the Authority to all Members of the Council.

(b)The following question had been received in accordance with Council Procedure rule 11.2

1.Cycle Storage at Metrolink Stations Councillor Pickstone
Councillor Noel Bayley (Representative on the Committee for Greater Manchester Transport)

2.Booking System for Ring and Ride
Councillor Pickstone
Councillor Noel Bayley (Representative on the Committee for Greater Manchester Transport)

3.Cancellation of X8 Bus Service through Ramsbottom
Councillor Bevan
Councillor Noel Bayley (Representative on the Committee for Greater Manchester Transport)

C.418 QUESTIONS ON THE WORK OF OUTSIDE BODIES OR PARTNERSHIPS
There were no were no written questions on the work of the outside bodies or partnerships on which the Council is represented, submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.2
C.419 DELEGATED DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEES
There were no written questions asked on the delegated decisions of the Committees or Scrutiny Committees contained in the Digests of Decisions No.d 4 (2012/2013).
C.420 LOCALISM AND NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING
A report of the Assistant Director of Planning, Environmental and Regulatory Services was submitted which advised on the principles and issues around Neighbourhood Planning in Bury in accordance with Minute C.07, Motion 3, as amended, at the meeting of Council held on 12 September 2012.

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

On being put the recommendation was unanimously carried and it was:-

RESOLVED:

1.That the contents of the report and the emerging opportunities for local communities to develop Neighbourhood Plans be noted;

2.That Planning and Legal Officers develop advisory material to assist any local groups through Neighbourhood Forums who wish to develop Neighbourhood Plans.

3.That the Planning Advisory Service hosts a “Question and Answer” session for all Councillors and any interested parties.

4.That the Officers and Planning be thanked for the report.
C.421 ANNUAL CORPORATE PARENTING REPORT
It was moved by Councillor Parnell and seconded by Councillor Southworth that the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Panel be received.

On being put the recommendation was unanimously carried and it was:

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Report of the Corporate Parenting Panel be received.

C.422 RISK MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2011/12
It was moved by Councillor Isherwood and seconded by Councillor Smith that the recommendations contained in the report be approved.

On being put the recommendation was unanimously carried and it was:

RESOLVED:

That this Council re-affirms its support for the Council’s approach to Risk Management, and notes progress made throughout 2011/12 and actions planned for 2012/13.
C.423 APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PERSONS AND INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OT THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The Mayor reported that following interviews for these positions held on 12 October 2012, at which the Group Leaders were present or represented, the Council was asked to approve the following appointments:

Mr K Wainwright - Independent Person
Mr D Gremson - Independent Member of the Standards Committee;
and to note that Councillor Walton has replaced Councillor Gartside on the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments by the positions of Independent Person and Independent Member of the Standards Committee as set out be approved.

The meeting started at 7.00 pm and ended at 10.00 pm