Agenda and minutes

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

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 last meeting held on 8 July 2015.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2015 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Cabinet Member for Environment submitted a report advising Cabinet of the effect of legislative changes on the Greater Manchester Road Activity Permit Scheme (GMWRAPS), the impact of the Key Route Network (KRN) on its operation and the necessary changes and processes to be carried out to ensure compliance. The report included a summary of the main amendments to the Regulations that apply to GMWRAPS.

The new operational aspects of the amended Regulations will start on 1 October 2015. With regard to the Key Route Network it is anticipated that the new operational aspects will commence on 1 April 2016, when the new increase of the distribution of Permit Fees for consideration of permits on the KRN will also be introduced.

Delegated decision:

That the proposals outlined in the report be approved, and that Officers be authorised to take the necessary action to agree the legal changes necessary to the GMWRAPS documentation, to issue the Order and to approve the Deed of Variation.

Reason for the decision:

To ensure the GMWRAPS is compliant with legislation and can be lawfully operated.

Other options considered and rejected:

To reject the proposals meaning that the GMWRAPS scheme would no longer be compliant with legislation and could not be lawfully operated.

Councillor Tariq, Deputy Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing and Lead Member for Community Safety submitted the Bury Domestic Abuse Strategy 2015-18. The Strategy supports the Bury Community Safety Partnership  ambition to tackle domestic violence and abuse by seeking to reduce repeat incidents through a focus on prevention and early intervention. It is a partnership document which seeks to consolidate the work of the Council and partners by setting out a robust framework to deliver real change.  

Delegated decision:

1.  That support be given to the vision and commitment of the Community    Safety Partnership to reducing domestic violence and abuse, particularly repeat offending.

2.  That approval be given to the Bury Domestic Abuse Strategy (2015 – 2018) as detailed in the report.

3.  That officers be authorised to develop a robust implementation and delivery plan to take forward the actions identified in the strategy and review existing services and make such changes as may be necessary (including the introduction of new ways of working) to meet the strategic priorities and improve outcomes for victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Reason for the decision:

Tackling domestic violence and abuse requires a whole system, multi-agency response.  The Strategy is a partnership document which has been developed following a multi-agency review of domestic violence and abuse in the borough.  It sets out a clear direction of travel which is more closely aligned to Team Bury priorities and the Council’s ambitions to support our most vulnerable residents.

Other option considered and rejected:

Reject the Strategy. Without a multi-agency strategy, the ability of the Council to work with partners to tackle domestic violence and abuse through early intervention and prevention would not be possible.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report seeking approval of the draft Bury Drug & Alcohol Strategy 2015-18. The Strategy has been developed from the three key themes of the National Drug strategy (December 2010);

·       Reducing Demand

·       Restricting Supply

·       Building recovery in Communities

In order to deliver against the three key themes, the following seven key objectives have been identified and included in the strategy based on local priorities:

·      Ensure that all strategic plans recognise the role of drug and alcohol misuse particularly where there are cross cutting thematic areas.

·      Increase knowledge and awareness about the harm caused by drugs and alcohol so that people can make informed choices and resist pressures, particularly young people and those on the periphery of drug and alcohol misuse.

·      Break inter-generational substance misuse by supporting a whole family approach and by targeting resources appropriately.

·      Ensure that all legal substances are sold responsibly.

·      Ensure that robust partnership clinical governance is in place

·      Support people to make a full recovery.

·      Improve housing outcomes where appropriate for people in recovery.

An action plan, which was appended to the report, has been developed with key partners to ensure that cross cutting themes are robustly linked to this strategy, for example, Children’s Trust Board and Community Safety Partnership Strategies. 

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the Bury Drug and Alcohol Strategy as detailed in the report.

Reason for the decision:

This decision provides the direction and framework for reducing the harms caused by drugs and alcohol for the next 5 years.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the Strategy. This would leave the Council without clear intention, and could lead to more people misusing drugs and/or alcohol which would increase the demand on local services.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report informing Members of the Council’s financial position for the period April 2015 to June 2015 and provided a projection of the estimated outturn at the end of 2015/2016.

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

Delegated decisions:

1.   That the financial position of the Council as at 30 June 2015 be noted.

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

Reason for the decision:

The report has been prepared in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations relating to budget monitoring.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member for Resources and Regulation submitted a report setting out details of the requirement for the Council to publish equality information upon its workforce under the Public Sector Duty (Equality Act 2010). The information must include data from various points in the employment lifecycle, disaggregated by the different protected equality characteristics. As well as being a legal requirement analysis of this data also helps inform the Council’s Equality and Diversity priorities for the coming year.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given for the publication of the equality information in the suggested format detailed in the report.

Reasons for the decision:

To ensure that the Council is compliant with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality Act 2010).

Other option considered and rejected:

To publish the information in a different format.

The Cabinet Member for Children Families and Culture submitted a report setting out proposed changes to the Council’s existing policy framework for home to school/college transport.

The Children & Families Act 2014 introduced significant reforms to the way that services for children and young people with Special Educational Needs or Disability are provided, commissioned or delivered. Home to school transport or financial assistance to support travel to school is an important element of that provision.

The existing policy framework for home to school/college transport does not meet the expectations set out in the Act to provide greater flexibility and choice to families, and to enable to use of personal budgets where this is requested.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to undertake consultation on proposed changes to the Council’s policy framework for home to school/college SEN transport and travel assistance.

Reason for the decision:

The proposals respond to the statutory requirements introduced by the Children and Families Act 2014 and will ensure that the policy framework is informed by the outcome of consultation with stakeholders.

Other options considered and rejected:

That no further action be taken.

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 it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in the condition of category 9.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration submitted a report setting out options for taking forward the development of the former fire station, directly adjacent to the Rock Shopping Centre.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to entering into a conditional development agreement as detailed in the report.

Reason for the decision:

The proposal is the most likely option to produce a development scheme in the medium term which meets the Council’s aspirations for this strategically important site.

Other options considered and rejected:

Do nothing and wait for the market to improve.

Sale of the site on the open market.

Market the site to seek a development partner

Report attached.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration submitted a report providing an overview of the outcome of a 2 stage tender process with developers to provide a new retail led development scheme in Radcliffe Town Centre.

Delegated decision:

That Option 1, as set out in the report, be approved for the Council to enter into a lease agreement with the highest scoring bidder.

Reason for the decision:

The proposal is a significant catalyst for the regeneration of Radcliffe and the wider Borough. 

Other options considered and rejected:

Do nothing.

Offer to another developer.