Agenda and minutes

Councillor Connolly declared a personal interest in respect of any issues relating to Adult Care Services for the reason that his partner is employed by Adult Care Services.

Councillor S Walmsley declared a prejudicial interest in respect of minute number CA.699 Chesham Primary School – Extension and Remodelling –Capital Project Stage Two Approval. Councillor Walmsley declared that she is a serving governor at Chesham Primary School.

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 21 January 2015.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Cabinet Member (Resources and Regulation) submitted a report presenting a revised version of the Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on open space, sport and recreation provision in new housing developments. The SPD1 provides more detailed guidance to support Unitary Development Plan (UDP) Policy RT2/2 and the current adopted version requires all new housing units proposed to be subject to a standard charge per dwelling.

Following changes to Government guidance, the Council is no longer able to apply the provisions of SPD1 for the purpose of seeking developer contributions for small scale developments of 1 to 9 dwellings. SPD1 has therefore been revised to take account of changes to guidance and also the latest Regulations which will introduce pooling restrictions on Section 106 contributions from April 2015.

Delegated decisions:

1.     That approval be given to the Draft Supplementary Planning Document 1 for a consultation period of four weeks.         

2.     That following the consultation period, all representations received be considered and changes made to the SPD1 where appropriate.

3.     That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Resources and Regulation, in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Resources and Regulation), to approve the final version of the SPD for formal adoption.

Reasons for the decision:

Before it can be adopted the SPD is required to have a period of consultation. This will also allow for management development decisions to take account of the revised SPD before the pooling restrictions take effect from April 2015.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Finance) submitted a report which updated the existing Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy in order to take in to account changes in department and post titles within the Council and the impact of the 2013 Whistleblowing Code of Practice.

Recommendation to Council:

1.   That approval be given to accept the report containing the changes to the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy Including the Whistleblowing Policy.

2.   That approval be given to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Resources and Regulation, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Finance), to make minor changes to the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy as required. 

Reason for the decision:

In accepting the report the Council complies with all relevant legislation and regulations and provides up to date information to elected members and employees. 

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

To consider the minutes of meetings of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 19 December 2014.

The minutes of the meetings of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 19 December 2014 were submitted.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meetings be noted.

Councillor Connolly announced that Councillor Stella Smith would be proposed as the Mayor of Bury for 2015-2016.

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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of information as detailed in the conditions of category 3.

(At this point Councillor Walmsley left the meeting for the consideration of the following item of business.)

The Leader and Cabinet Member (Finance) and the Cabinet Member (Children and Families) submitted a report providing Cabinet with the details of a capital project at Chesham Primary School.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the financial details as detailed in the report submitted.

Reason for the decision:

The school has a short fall in accommodation and the proposed construction and remodelling will provide larger class-bases, group rooms and a secure entrance and waiting area to improve safeguarding.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.