Agenda and minutes

Councillor Connolly declared a personal interest in any matters relating to the fact that his partner is employed by Persona Care and Support Ltd (Local Authority Trading Company). In addition Councillor Connolly declared a personal interest in relation to Minute number CA.**,Proposed Sale of Freehold Interest in Land at Eton Hill Road, for the reason that he had visited the company located on the site in his capacity as Cabinet Member (Business Engagement and Regeneration).

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.  

Topic: Election of Mayor for Greater Manchester – 2017.

Question: A request was made at the Bury East Township Forum in December 2015 for information/presentation on the election to inform local people on what they would be voting for. When will a presentation be given to the Township Forum?  

Response: The Election of Mayor of Greater Manchester will take place on 4 May 2017. It is anticipated that more details will be published regarding the implications of the DevoManc proposals for Greater Manchester as well as information on the candidates standing in the election. Councillor Connolly will give a presentation to the Bury East Township Forum on DevoManc.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 24 February and 2 March 2016.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meetings held on 24 February and 2 March 2016 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Business Engagement and Regeneration) submitted the first performance report for the new Vision Purpose and Values (VPV) 2015-2020. The report focuses on the period up to the end of Quarter 3, 2015/2016 and the approach that will be taken in the coming years. The success measures contained in the report will be used to show how the work undertaken by the Council is contributing to the six corporate priorities.

Delegated decisions:

1.   That the report be noted.

2.   That the workshops that have taken place around the Vision, Purpose and Values document and proposals for the development of outcomes and future success measures be noted.

3.   That approval be given to incorporate the key actions from the Visions, Purpose and Values document into Cabinet Portfolio Workplans.

Reason for the decision:

The Vision, Purpose and Values report sets out the strategic direction for the Council over the next five years.

Other option considered and rejected:

To amend or reject the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member (Resource and Regulation) submitted a report seeking approval to the draft Bury Town Centre Evening and Night Time Economy Strategy.

The Strategy seeks to strengthen existing partnership working amongst all those involved including key agencies and business to maximise the benefits.

Work will then focus on raising the profile of Bury Town Centre as a popular visitor location by improving public perception, increasing the diversity of the offer as well as maintaining and improving standards.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the Evening and Night Time Economy Strategy and associated Action Plan.

Reason for the decision:

The Strategy will contribute towards the priority of maintaining a strong local economy (day and night time) and contribute towards maintaining Bury’s position as a premier destination for retail, leisure tourism and culture in line with the Council’s wider Vision, Purpose and Values.  

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Lead Member for Community Safety submitted a report outlining progress on the use of powers and multi agency working arrangements and seeking approval for a revised statement of policy and procedure in relation to Anti-Social (ASB) Behaviour. The report included a number of recommendations to ensure that the Council is able to continue to develop a response to ASB within the capacity and resources available to local agencies. The report also outlined the work undertaken to tackle (ASB) following the implementation of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act, 2014.

Delegated decisions:

1.  That the progress made in the implementation of the new tools and powers, including the role of the Joint Engagement Team and the Cost Benefit Analysis undertaken by New Economy, be noted.

2.  That approval be given to continue work to embed and develop the new tools and powers in the Borough, including further development of a robust partnership performance framework for anti-social behaviour.

3.  That further consideration be given to the feasibility of Six Town Housing and other social landlords becoming direct agents of the Council for the purposes of issuing Community Protection Notices, in accordance with provisions within the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and the Anti Social Behaviour (Designated Persons) Order, 2015. 

4.  That approval be given to the Community Safety Manager continuing to work with other Council departments to explore the potential use of Community Protection Notices.

5.  That approval be given for the Community Safety Manager to continue work with partners through the Joint Engagement Team to ensure effective planning for the conversion of Designated Public Place Orders into Public Space Protection Orders within the next two years (to ensure statutory compliance).

6.  That approval be given to the development of the Joint Engagement Team to ensure it enhances and supports the future locality working model being developed for Bury.

7.  That approval be given to the revised Anti-Social Behaviour statement of policy and procedure as detailed in Appendix B of the report submitted.

Reasons for the decision:

1.  The provisions of the Act enable the Council and its partners to tackle anti-social behaviour more effectively.

2.  Independent evaluation of the JET, including Cost Benefit Analysis, provides a strong basis upon which to support its ongoing development ( within the context of the future locality working model)

3.  The revised statement of Policy and Procedure will provide a framework to tackle ASB taking into account changes in legislation.  

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

The Cabinet Member (Cabinet Member for Resources and Regulation) submitted a report presenting the Talent Management Strategy which outlines how the Council aims to plan for, resource and develop employees to reach their potential and to meet the challenges and opportunities over the coming five years. This is a fundamental strategy for achieving the Council’s corporate aims and the aspirational objectives of the Council’s People Strategy. The Strategy also set out how the Council will manage the risk of not having the right skills and behaviours in the right place at the right time. It also builds on the Council’s strengths in these areas, identifies gaps in practice and strategies for tackling the gaps particularly with relation to succession and workforce planning. 

Delegated decision:

1.     That approval be given to the Talent Management Strategy 2016 -2020.

2.     That approval be given to the proposed introduction of succession planning on a pilot basis as detailed in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report submitted.

Reason for the decision:

This provides the direction and framework for the Council’s talent management policies and practices for the next five years.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendations.

To consider the minutes of meetings of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 26 February 2016.

The minutes of themeetings of the Joint Greater Manchester Combined Authority and AGMA Executive Board and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 26 February 2016 were submitted.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Joint Greater Manchester Combined Authority and AGMA Executive Board and the  Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 26 February 2016 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 item of business as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in the condition of category 9.

The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Finance and Housing) submitted a report seeking approval to demolish the former Radcliffe Pool and Fitness Centre.

Delegated decision:

1.   That approval be given to the demolition of the former Radcliffe Pool and Fitness Centre on Green Street, Radcliffe

2.   That approval be given to the erection of site hoardings during the demolition that will remain on the site after the demolition has been completed.

3.   That approval be given to the required budget to carry out the demolition and site hoarding works.

Reason for the decision:

The demolition of the building will eradicate the ongoing structural liability to the Council.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

The Cabinet Member (Cabinet Member for Resources and Regulation) submitted a report outlining a proposal to dispose of the Council’s freehold interest in land at Eton Hill Road.

Delegated decision:

That approval be given to the sale of the Council’s freehold interest in land at Eton Hill Road.

Reason for the decision:

The sale of the site will ensure that a key employer remains within the Borough; safeguarding jobs and business rates income.

Other option considered and rejected:

To reject the recommendation.

Councillor Connolly announced that this would be his last meeting as Cabinet Chair and took the opportunity to thank the elected members and officers for their help and support over the last five years.