Agenda and minutes

Members of Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any of the matters of the Agenda, and if so, to formally declare that interest.

Councillor Connolly declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the fact that his partner is employed by Adult Care Services.

Councillor Gartside declared a personal interest in respect of Minute number CA.543 for the reason that he is employed by the RBS group.

A period of thirty minutes was allocated for members of the public present at the meeting to ask questions about the work or performance of the Council or Council services.

No questions were asked.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2013.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2013 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Deputy Cabinet Member – Adult Care and Wellbeing submitted a report seeking approval to the Bury Tobacco Control Strategy 2013-2018. The Strategy was developed by the Bury Tobacco Alliance in response to the new public health responsibilities of local authorities as described in the Public Health Outcomes Framework.

The Strategy has three key aims:

1. Enabling smokers in Bury who want to stop smoking, to stop with the right support.

2. Tackling the accessibility of tobacco products for young people, particularly in relation to illegal tobacco, underage sales and niche products.

3. Protecting children, families and communities from the effects of second hand smoke.

The Strategy will be monitored and reviewed on a quarterly basis and refreshed annually by the Bury Tobacco Alliance. 

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the Bury Tobacco Control Strategy 2013-2018.    

Reasons for the decision:

The Strategy will help the Council fulfil its responsibility to reduce levels of smoking in the adult (18+) population, 15 year olds and pregnant women at time of delivery.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member – Finance and Corporate Affairs submitted a report which informed members of the Council’s financial position for the period April to September 2013 and projected the likely outturn at the end of 2013/2014.

The report also included Prudential Indicators in accordance with CIPFA’s Prudential Code.

Delegated decisions:

1. That the Council’s financial position as at 30 September 2013 be noted.

2. That approval be given to the s151 Officer’s assessment of the minimum level of balances.

Reasons for the decision:

The Council has a statutory duty to undertake budget monitoring.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member – Finance and Corporate Affairs submitted a report prepared in compliance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice to inform Cabinet members on the following areas:

       - An economic update for the 2013/2014 financial year to 30 September 2013;

       - A review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual;

       - Investment Strategy;     

       - The Council’s capital expenditure (prudential indicators);

       - A review of the Council’s investment portfolio for 2013/2014;

       - A review of the Council’s borrowing strategy for 2013/2014;

       - A review of any debt rescheduling undertaken during 2013/2014;

       - A review of compliance with Treasury and Prudential Limits for 2013/2014.

Delegated decision:

That the report be noted.

Reason for the decision:

In accordance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management, the Council is required to note the report.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report setting out progress on the

Corporate Plan quarter two 2013/2014.

Delegated decisions:

1. That the report submitted and the actions being taken to address areas

of under achievement against targets be noted.

2. That future Corporate Plan Progress reports be submitted to meetings

of Cabinet on a bi-annual basis.

Reason for the decision:

The Council publishes a Corporate Plan each year with progress updates reported to Cabinet.     

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

To consider passing the appropriate resolution under Section 100 (A)(4), Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the reason that the following business involves the disclosure of exempt information as detailed against the item.

Delegated decision:

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of information as detailed in the conditions of category 3.

The Cabinet Member – Environment submitted a report regarding Bury Council’s involvement with other Greater Manchester authorities to produce a framework agreement for future parking enforcement contracts.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the Council actively contributing to the content of the framework and having involvement with the evaluation and award to successful contractors.

Reason for the decision:

The collaboration and partnership approach being taken will allow Bury Council to benefit from a robust and competitively priced framework.

Other option considered and rejected:

The Council does not sign up to the Framework and carries out an independent Tender process in isolation.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Affairs submitted a report setting out a proposal to up-grade the Council’s IT communications network. 

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to accept the tender received to up-grade the Council’s IT communications network as detailed in the report submitted.

Reasons for the decision:

The proposal will remove dependency on any one council building to service the wide area network allowing assets to be managed without extra IT costs. This will achieve an annual saving of £55,000.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.