Meeting documents

Council
Wednesday, 12th December, 2012 7.00 pm

Date:
Wednesday, 12th December, 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, J Black, S Briggs, P Bury, G Campbell, S Carter, R A Caserta, D M Cassidy, J Columbine, M Connolly, A J Cummings, J Daly, E FitzGerald, L Fitzwalter, J Frith, I B Gartside, D L Gunther, M Hankey, S Haroon, T Holt, K Hussain, A Isherwood, M A James, D Jones, J S Lewis, A Matthews, S Nuttall, 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, R E Walker, S Walmsley, J F Walton, M J Wiseman and Y Wright.

22 members of the public attended the meeting


Apologies for absence:
Councillors P Heneghan and B Vincent
Buttons
Item Description Decision
Open
C.595 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.Councillor Wiseman declared a personal interest in Minute C.602 (1), “Notice of Motion - Dementia,” as she is employed by an organisation which received a grant from Bury Age of Opportunities to deliver training in dementia care.

4.Members declared personal interests as Trade Union members in Minute C.602(3), Notice of Motion, “Trade Union Subsidies and Activities,” as set out below:-

Councillor Name of Trade Union
Ann Audin UNITE
Ken Audin UNISON (Retired Member)
Daisy Bailey UNITE
Matt Bailey UNITE
Noel Bayley UNISON
Black UNISON
Bury UNITE
Briggs UNISON (Retired Member)
Campbell UNISON
Carter UNITE
Cassidy GMB
Columbine UNITE
Connolly UNITE
Fitzgerald UNITE
Fitzwalter BEC
Frith UNITE
Gartside UNITE (In receiving legal assistance)
Haroon UNITE
Holt Communication Workers Union (Retired)
Isherwood UNITE
James UNISON
Jones National Association of Retired Police Officers
Lewis UNITE
Matthews UNISON (Retired Member)
Parnell UNITE
Quinn UNITE
Rothwell UNISON (Retired Member)
Shori UNITE
Simpson UNITE
John Smith NASUWT
Stella Smith NASUWT
Tariq UNITE
Walmsley Communication Workers Union
Walton UNISON/NALGO/FUMPO -Retired Member
C.596 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL
 RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 17 October 2012 be signed by the Mayor as a true and correct record.
C.597 ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS 2012
 It was reported that following bi-elections on 15 November 2012, James Daly was elected in North Manor Ward and Susan Nuttall was elected in Church Ward.
C.598 MAYORAL COMMUNICATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
 The Mayor welcomed Councillors Daly and Nuttall to their first Council Meeting.

The Mayor thanked Members for their support of the Civic Ball on 7 December 2012 which had raised £1440 for the Mayor’s Charities.

Finally, the Mayor asked Members to join her in congratulating Lieutenant Colonel Sharon Stewart who had been decorated with the highly prestigious Royal Red Cross.
C.599 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
 There were no written questions received under this item. The Mayor then asked members of the public present if they wished to ask questions. These are set out below:-

1. Winter Weather Arrangements
Mr A Miller
Councillor Connolly

2. Ranger Service and support for activities
Mr H Melling and Mr H Reed
Councillor Connolly

3. Accident and Health and Safety statistics relating to Council employees
Mr J Mallam
Councillor Connolly
C.600 RECOMMENDATIONS OF CABINET AND COUNCIL COMMITTEES
1.Minute LSP.446 of the meeting of the Licensing and Safety Panel of
5 November 2012 - Gambling Act 2005 - Triennial Statement of Principles Review.

It was moved by Councillor Matt Bailey and seconded by Councillor Cassidy and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Statement be approved,.

2.Minute CA.453 of the meeting of the Cabinet of 7 November 2012 - Procurement Strategy 2013-2015 - Buying into Bury.

It was moved by Councillor Isherwood and seconded by Councillor John Smith and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Procurement Strategy 2013-2015 be approved.

3.Minute CA.536 of the meeting of the Cabinet if 28 November 2012 - Treasury Management Strategy - Mid Year Review

It was moved by Councillor Isherwood and seconded by Councillor John Smith and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management Strategy - Mid Year Review be approved.

4.Minutes CA.542 of the meeting of the Cabinet of 28 November 2012 - Engaging and Developing Elected Members

It was moved by Councillor John Smith and seconded by Councillor Holt and it was

RESOLVED:

That the Member Engagement Strategy and the Member Development Strategy be endorsed.
C.601 LEADER STATEMENT AND CABINET QUESTION TIME
 (a) Written questions (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.Use and control of loan sharks and management of debt.
Councillor Simpson
Councillor Campbell

2.Management of Youth Offending Team
Councillor Pickstone
Councillor Parnell

3.Display of information about Councillors in public librariesCouncillor Walker
Councillor Connolly

4.Hate Crime Reporting
Councillor Holt
Councillor Tariq

5.Ranger Services and support for activities
Councillor O’Hanlon
Councillor Lewis

6.Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival Councillor Bevan
Councillor Lewis

7.Impact of Autumn Statement on Bury Councillor S Smith
Councillor Isherwood

8.Equal Pay Claims
Councillor O’Hanlon
Councillor Isherwood

9.Core Strategy and building development Councillor Daly
Councillor Campbell

10.Recycling Rates
Councillor Southworth
Councillor Campbell

11.Social Care - Income and Expenditure
Councillor Pickstone
Councillor Shori

12.Composting of green waste
Councillor Gunther
Councillor Campbell

13.20 mph Scheme
Councillor Fitzgerald
Councillor Campbell

14.Christmas lights in Radcliffe
Councillor Wiseman
Councillor Campbell

15.School Maintenance Budget
Councillor Quinn
Councillor Parnell

16.Rural BDUK Funding
Councillor Gartside
Councillor Campbell

17.Street lights on M66
Councillor Tariq
Councillor Campbell

18.Contaminated Bins
Councillor Gunther
Councillor Campbell

19.Bedroom Tax
Councillor Carter
Councillor Isherwood

20.Township Forums and S106
Councillor Wright
Councillor Walmsley

21.Impact of changes to Benefits System on Jewish Community
Councillor Quinn
Councillor Isherwood

22.Use of Polling Station during Bi-election
Councillor Walker
Councillor Connolly

23.Radcliffe Empty Property Scheme
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor Campbell

24.LED Scheme for Street Lighting Councillor Heneghan
Councillor Campbell

Due to the lack of time to answer questions 10 to 24 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 undertaking 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)

25.Policy for controlling Wind Turbines
Councillor Daly
Councillor Campbell

26.Security at the Town Hall
Councillor Gunther
Councillor Connolly
C.602 NOTICES OF MOTION
 Three Notices of Motion have been received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12:

1.Dementia

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.

It was moved by Councillor Shori and seconded by Councillor Black:-

“This Chamber notes that nationally:

•There are currently 820,000 sufferers of Dementia in England and Wales;
•That Dementia is the fastest growing illness for over 65’s with 163,000 new cases in England and Wales each year;
•1 in 3 people over 65 will die with a form of dementia;
•As many as half of dementia sufferers are unaware they have the condition;
•The financial cost of dementia to the UK will be over £23 billion in 2012;
•There are 670,000 carers of people with dementia in the UK
(Source - AlzheimersResearch.org)

This Chamber notes that in Bury:-

•In 2011 there were 2074 sufferers of dementia in the Borough;
•Over the next 20 years this figure is likely to increase by 50%.
This Council resolves:-

•That the issue of accurate diagnosis, care and support for sufferers of dementia and their families is not a party political issue.
•That Bury will aspire to become the first “Dementia Friendly” Borough in Greater Manchester in line with the “Prime Minister’s Challenge of Dementia” promoting:-

- Awareness of the condition and dispelling the myth that it is the inevitable consequence of aging

- Working with the Bury CCG and Health and Wellbeing Board to increase the rate of people screened and diagnosed with a form of dementia

- Supporting dementia sufferers and their carers by creating a Dementia Action Alliance comprised of public, voluntary and independent sector partners with a view to training 50 members of the community to become “Dementia Friends” in Bury.”

The motion on being put was declared carried unanimously

2.Remembrance Day Services

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

Councillors I Bevan, K Hussain, D Gunther, Y Wright, B Vincent, I Gartside, M Wiseman, R Walker, M Hankey, R Caserta, J Walton, S Nuttall and
J Daly.

It was moved by Councillor Nuttall and seconded by Councillor Bevan:-

“This Council places on record our sincere thanks to the people of the Borough for their show of support of our armed forces and their families, both past and present, during the recent Remembrance Day Services.

It was uplifting to see some many of our residents along with serving soldiers and their families, our old soldiers and veterans, the young men and women of our cadet forces along with the children from our schools paying their respects.

Bury and all the townships of this Borough has a proud military heritage and we will not forget those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our town and country."

It was moved by Councillor Frith and seconded by Councillor Tariq as an amendment:-

“That the motion be amended by the addition of the following paragraph:-

The Council reaffirms its opposition to the Tory led Government’s proposals to disband the 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and welcomes the continued support of the Member of Parliament for Bury South and notes the intervention of the Bury North MP, albeit at a later stage in the campaign.”

The amendment on being put with 33 voting for, 12 against and with three abstentions was declared carried.

It was moved by Councillor Gartside and seconded by Councillor Wiseman as a further amendment:

“That the motion be amended by the addition of the following paragraph:-

The Council reaffirms its opposition to the Government’s proposals to disband the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and welcomes the continued support of the Members of Parliament.”

The further amendment on being put with 14 voting for, 33 against and one abstention was declared lost.

The following substantive motion was put:

“This Council places on record our sincere thanks to the people of the Borough for their show of support of our armed forces and their families, both past and present, during the recent Remembrance Day Services.

It was uplifting to see some many of our residents along with serving soldiers and their families, our old soldiers and veterans, the young men and women of our cadet forces along with the children from our schools paying their respects.

Bury and all the townships of this Borough has a proud military heritage and we will not forget those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our town and country.

The Council reaffirms its opposition to the Tory led Government’s proposals to disband the 2nd Battalion RRF and welcomes the continued support of the member of Parliament for Bury South and notes the intervention of the Bury North MP, albeit at a later stage in the campaign.”

The substantive motion on being put with 33 voting for 14 against and one abstention was declared carried.

3.Trade Union Subsidies and Activities

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

Councillors I Bevan, K Hussain, D Gunther, Y Wright, B Vincent, I Gartside,
M Wiseman, R Walker, M Hankey, R Caserta, J Walton, S Nuttall, and J Daly.

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

“This council understands and recognises the valuable role played by trade unions in ensuring effective industrial relations and reaffirms the principle of providing adequate provision for union duties in accordance with trade unions and labour relations (consolidation act 1992).

This council notes that the 3 full time equivalent staff that work on trade union activities at the council tax payer’s expense in 2011/12.

However, this council believes that given the current state of this councils finances and the ability of trade unions to raise their own funds through members fees, subscriptions and other commercial enterprises, that it is wrong for the tax-payer of this Borough to be funding public servants who spend little or none of their time providing them with a service.

In preparation for the 2013/14 budget setting process this council resolves that:

A)Before agreeing any further cuts to frontline services all trade union subsidies which Bury Council are not legally obliged to provide should be removed or recharged to the union.

B)In line with this Council’s current commitment to publish staff salaries on-line, all hours and salaries allocated in the current financial year towards trade union activities be immediately published on the Council’s Web-Site.”

It was moved by Councillor Pickstone and seconded by Councillor O’Hanlon as an amendment:-

“Delete all from, “However, this Council…..”, and replace with:

This Council notes the extreme cost pressures that the Authority faces in the current and coming financial years, and recognises the important role that Trades Union play in this period of change and financial insecurity.

Council therefore resolves:

(a)To continue to provide appropriate resources for Trades Unions within the Authority, but recognise that in these times this is likely to be at a reduced level.

(b)To undertake an All-Party Review, involving Trades Unions, of the support that is provided in advance of the budget setting process for 2013-14.

(c)To publish the amount of support the Authority provides to Trades Unions on its website.”

The amendment on being put, with 2 voting for, 34 against and 12 abstaining was declared lost.

Prior to the vote on the motion, in excess of the required eight Councillors requested that voting be recorded to show how each Member cast their vote, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 17.5.

The result of the vote was as follows:

For the Motion:

In the names of Councillors I Bevan, K Hussain, D Gunther, Y Wright,
I Gartside, M Wiseman, R Walker, M Hankey, R Caserta,
J Walton, S Nuttall, and J Daly.

Against the Motion:

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,
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.

Abstaining from the Vote:

The Worshipful the Mayor, Councillors O’Hanlon and Pickstone.

The Mayor declared the Motion lost.

The Mayor called upon the Leader 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 scrutiny review reports or specific items “called in” by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

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

Agreement was given in principle for the Council to enter into an Armed Forces Covenant.

The following report was duly approved following the Closure Motion:

Council Tax Support Scheme)

C.603 SCRUTINY REVIEW REPORTS AND SPECIFIC ITEMS CALLED IN BY SCRUTINY COMMITTEES
 There were no scrutiny review reports or specific items “called in” by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
C.604 JOINT AUTHORITIES REPORT BY THE COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE AND QUESTIONS
 Questions asked of Joint Authority representatives and the CGMT representative’s report would be circulated subsequently.
C.605 QUESTIONS ON THE WORK OF OUTSIDE BODIES OR PARTNERSHIPS
 None received
C.606 DELEGATED DECISIONS OF THE COUNCIL COMMITTEES
 None received
C.607 ARMED FORCES COVENANT
 Agreement was given in principle for the Council to enter into an Armed Forces Covenant.
C.608 LOCAL SCHEME OF COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT
 Scheme approved as item not considered
The meeting started at 7.00 pm and ended at 10.10 pm.