Agenda and minutes

Councillor Connolly declared a personal and a prejudicial interest in respect of Minute number CA.874 Future Service Options for Social Care Provider Services, for the reason that his partner is employed by Adult Care Services. Councillor Connolly left the meeting room during consideration of the item of business.

A period of thirty minutes was allocated for any 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 4 March 2015.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

(Councillor Connolly left the meeting at this point. Councillor Shori took the chair for the following item of business.)

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report and business plan for the establishment of a Local Authority Trading Company as a vehicle to deliver a range of adult social care services currently provided in-house.

The report included a Business Plan which was an exempt document and not for publication for the reason that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of the Council (Paragraph 3, Schedule 12A, Local Government Act 1972).

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the establishment of a Local Authority Trading Company as detailed in the report submitted.

Reasons for the decision:

The Council would continue to fulfil its duties to safeguard those who are most vulnerable whilst targeting the resources available to the Council from 2015/2016. The services would be developed into a new organisation wholly owned by the Council but separate to it. Customers and staff would transfer into the new organisation.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation. Savings would not be achieved and would have to be met elsewhere within the Council. Alternatively the options for closure and privatisation previously considered and dismissed by Cabinet on 1 October 2014 would need to be reconsidered.

(Councillor Connolly returned to Chair the remainder of the meeting at this point.)

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance submitted a report outlining the proposed business rates incentive scheme for new build commercial properties which will be operated in Bury.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the Local Business Rates Discretionary Scheme for new commercial buildings.

Reason for the decision:

The scheme presents an opportunity to incentivise businesses to choose Bury as the place to invest and grow. It also directly supports a number of important themes within the Team Bury’s Economic Development Strategy and will contribute to the Council’s stated objective of creating a strong local economy.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

A report from the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance is attached

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Regulation submitted a report that outlined the future of the localised Social Fund which now operates as the Bury Support Fund following the withdrawal of Government funding. The report also set out proposals for the shape of the funding scheme for the next three years.    

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the proposed revisions to the Bury Social Fund.

Reason for the decision:

The scheme will provide much needed support to Bury residents.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance submitted a report providing information on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Greater Manchester (GM) Local Authorities, GM Clinical Commissioning Group (CCGs) and NHS England. The Memorandum of Understanding creates a framework for the delegation and ultimate devolution of health and social care responsibilities to Greater Manchester. It also sets out the actions required to be taken by the Council to meet the requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Delegated decision:

1.  That the report submitted, that was considered and agreed at the joint GM Combined Authority and AGMA Executive Board meeting on 27 February 2015,  be noted.

2.  That the Memorandum of Understanding, as signed by representatives of AGMA, GM CCGs and NHS England be endorsed. That it also be recognised that it is an important and significant step in the development of a new collaborative partnership for health and social care in Greater Manchester.

3.  That the Interim Chief Executive be authorised to submit a report to the meeting of Cabinet in June 2015 setting out how the authority will meet the locality requirements of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Reason for the decision:

The integration of health and social care within Greater Manchester has been a major priority of Greater Manchester’s growth.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

To consider the attached minutes of meetings of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 27 February 2015.

The minutes of the meetings of the Association of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Joint AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 27 February 2015 were submitted.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the meeting of the Joint AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 27 February 2015 be noted.

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 exempt information as detailed in the condition of category 3.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance submitted a report setting out the details of a capital project for a Secondary Pupil Referral Unit.

Delegated decision:

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

Reason for the decision:

The decision will enable the project to progress.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance submitted a report regarding the Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund (GMHIF).

Delegated decisions:

1.  That approval be given to the proposal to enter into a Deed of Indemnity on the terms set out in the report submitted.

2.  That the Assistant Director (Legal and Democratic Services) be authorised to complete the necessary documentation.

Reason for the decision:

The GMHIF will provide an opportunity to invest in locally prioritised schemes and give the flexibility required to stimulate the market, accelerate growth and increase housing supply.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.